Why #Bentley Passed On Building A Real Winner [Auto Styling News]

The latest and most stunning design concept from Bentley is the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept, revealed way back in 2015's Geneva motor show. The question must be asked: why hasn't it been built? (There's actually an answer. Read on.)

The Speed Six name recalls the gorgeous sporting Bentley of the late 1920s. And its design also evokes earlier eras.

As one would expect, it's a top of the line luxury sports car. The two-seater may indeed give a strong indication that the company is thinking about a lighter, sportier Bentley to sit alongside the Continental GT grand tourer family. "A bold vision for a brand with a bold future" said CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer, as the car was revealed.

The massive grille, the teardrop headlamps, the wide hood, aggressive rear haunches, heightened by the large tires, are all heart-pounding, pupil dilating features that guarantee the ride will be life-changing. Clearly, this is lightning in a bottle. And anything other than "conventional" or boring, two words easily, and traditionally, given to British luxury cars.

So, where is it? What could delay such a sure thing? Fear. And timidity. And convention.

Instead of pursuing this monster, the company went for a safer track - an SUV. A vehicle no one wanted, no one asked for, but seemed safer. And at easily north of $230,000 a pop, that's a hefty premium for what some might call "just another SUV." While it certainly will have its fans, it honestly looks like just another family mobile, like so many others, and like every other brand has succumbed to over the past decade.

The good news is that the all-new 2016 Continental has incorporated SOME of the looks and flair of the 6, especially those amazing rear shoulders.

But frankly, Bentley should have taken the risk with the 6 - a risk that would have paid off in far more prestige for the brand, and one that could have helped it attract more fans for doing more than "playing it safe."