Bentley Entering EXP 9 F SUV into Dakar Rally

The Bentley EXP 9 F SUV concept did not get a positive critical reception when it was revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, but BentleyBentleyUnited Kingdom, 1919 > present37 models
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wants to push ahead with the concept because it thinks sales in China could be huge. However, the truck will still have to legitimize itself in the rest of the world to improve sales. 

Bentley has decided to enter the truck into the Dakar rally to give it some racing pedigree. Bentley is buying back Dakar-spec TouaregsVolkswagen Race Touareg 3Germany, 2011 > present5 photos
sold to privateer teams and plans to re-tune them as EXP 9 Fs. 

Bentley knows that the EXP 9 F will not be a fantastic off-roader in its production form, but it is not meant to be a Range RoverLand Rover Range Rover (modern) Gen.3 [L322]United Kingdom, 2002 > 201243 versions
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. Most buyers will never take a Bentley SUV off-road. The vehicle is designed for Russia and China where roads are not in the best condition. However, Bentley thinks it can sell 3,000 trucks a year.

Racing initially unpopular SUV is becoming something of a habit by the VWVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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Group, and it has worked well for them so far. PorschePorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
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modified a CayennePorsche Cayenne Gen.2Germany, 2010 > 201727 versions
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for the Transsyberian rally, and Volkswagen had incredible success with the Dakar-prepped Touareg winning three times in a row from 2009 to 2011. Bentley can use the Dakar Touareg chassis and put on its own front and rear parts. It would probably also change engines from the race Touareg's 2.5l, twin-turbo diesel. 

It appears that Bentley is making a push into motorsports. It discussed getting back into Le Mans racing in the GTE class a few weeks ago most likely with the ContinentalBentley Continental GT (modern) Gen.2United Kingdom, 2011 > present34 versions
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. 

Bentley Considering Return to Le Mans