For over a century, Bentley has epitomized automotive heritage and an aura of “old money” elegance. Its stately designs have long been synonymous with unparalleled luxury and refined craftsmanship.
However, even a brand so steeped in tradition is now firmly gazing into the future. The unveiling of the Bentley EXP 15 concept marks a pivotal moment, signaling the brand’s ambitious trajectory towards an all-electric future. This concept is not merely a static display; it is represented by a full-size exterior model and an interior painstakingly crafted using cutting-edge virtual reality technology. The electric EXP 15 provides a clear preview of the design direction Bentley will embrace with its forthcoming first production EV.
It boldly asserts that while the powertrain transforms, Bentley’s iconic styling will remain as grand, lavish, and distinct as ever. This concept is a testament to Bentley’s commitment to evolving while honoring its esteemed legacy.
Bold Proportions: A New Design Language Emerges
The EXP 15 immediately strikes with its highly unusual and distinctive shape. It defies easy categorization into traditional body styles, blending elements to create something entirely new for Bentley. Its raised stance hints at the growing popularity of SUV aesthetics, suggesting a versatile and commanding road presence. Yet, this is beautifully juxtaposed with a sloping fastback roofline.
This elegant silhouette draws direct inspiration from a revered piece of Bentley history: the iconic 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman coupe, affectionately known as “Blue Train.” This historical nod grounds the futuristic design in Bentley’s rich past.
The vehicle’s surfacing is remarkably clean and uncluttered, emphasizing fluidity and modernism. A sharp crease elegantly runs from the headlight assembly, sweeping along the side of the car, and seamlessly integrating into the base of the side windows. This line emphasizes the vehicle’s length and dynamic profile. Complementing this are pronounced rear haunches, a classic Bentley design cue that conveys power and athletic readiness.
As an electric vehicle, the EXP 15 boasts a relatively short hood compared to Bentley’s traditional distinguished luxury cars. This shorter front end optimizes interior space and reflects the compact nature of electric powertrains. From a rear-three-quarter view, the EXP 15 presents a chunkier, more robust interpretation of the sleek fastback, drawing comparisons to last year’s Jaguar Type 00 concept, yet maintaining its unique Bentley identity.
An Illuminated and Iconic Front End
The front end of the EXP 15 is unmistakably Bentley, exuding an appropriate sense of upright elegance and dominance. It is primarily defined by its striking, illuminated hexagonal grille. This grille is not merely a functional cooling element, which EVs do not require in the traditional sense. Instead, it is reimagined as a piece of digital artistry. It comprises an intricate array of triangular elements. These triangular forms mimic the classic chrome crosshairs found on traditional Bentley grilles, further bisected by a central spine that adds visual structure.
Bentley’s newly redesigned badge is subtly inset atop this glowing grille. It sits directly below the brand’s classic Flying B hood ornament, which is now reinterpreted with a more dynamic, illuminated design. This interplay of light and form transforms a functional component into a signature visual statement. Bentley sees this illuminated grille as an opportunity to “create a piece of digital art,” showcasing how electrification allows for new forms of brand expression while retaining core identity.
Advanced Lighting and Aerodynamics
The grille is framed by distinctive vertical LED headlights. These give the EXP 15 a somewhat robotic, futuristic stare, a departure from Bentley’s traditional circular lamps. These vertical lighting elements are thoughtfully echoed by an illuminated vertical trim piece positioned at the leading edge of the doors. This appendage serves a dual purpose: it enhances the vehicle’s visual signature and cleverly houses a vent designed to channel air efficiently along the side of the car, contributing to its aerodynamic performance.
At the rear, the design maintains a sense of sophisticated minimalism. Thin, wraparound taillights gracefully curve around a body-colored panel, which itself proudly holds the revised Bentley badge. This streamlined approach contributes to a clean and contemporary rear aesthetic. The EXP 15 also incorporates active aerodynamic features, critical for optimizing efficiency and range in an EV. These include two active roof-top spoilers that deploy when needed and an active rear diffuser. These elements work in concert to manage airflow, reduce drag, and maximize the vehicle’s electric driving range, showcasing a blend of form and function.
A Decadent and Innovative Cabin
The interior of the EXP 15 continues the theme of thoughtful innovation, combining classic Bentley opulence with cutting-edge technology and unconventional layouts. Following the asymmetrical door setup seen in vehicles like the Hyundai Veloster, the EXP 15 features one door on the driver’s side and two on the passenger’s side. This design choice hints at prioritizing passenger comfort and ease of access.
Inside, the cabin offers a unique three-seat configuration. The driver sits alone in the front, emphasizing the driving experience. The left-side rear passenger enjoys an abundance of room, allowing them to fully stretch their legs and relax in ultimate comfort. Bentley also envisions this extra space being ingeniously used for dedicated pet carriers or luxurious hand luggage, catering to the diverse needs of ultra-luxury clientele. The passenger-side rear seat is designed for maximum versatility.
It can rotate 45 degrees to facilitate effortless ingress and egress, making it incredibly easy to enter and exit the vehicle gracefully. Furthermore, this seat can move forward and backward, allowing for customizable legroom and comfort.
The Fusion of Digital and Physical Controls
The EXP 15 features a distinctive “wing-shaped” dashboard. Elegant trim pieces flow organically upwards from the center console, creating a sense of spaciousness and architectural beauty. One of these “wings” gracefully envelops the steering wheel, providing a cockpit-like feel for the driver. The other “wing” houses a series of digital gauges strategically placed in front of the passenger’s seat, offering key information to the co-pilot.
A truly innovative element of the dashboard is its large glass composition. This expansive glass panel can serve as a dynamic digital interface, displaying various infotainment features and vehicle information. However, with a simple command, the digital interface can be deactivated, “uncloaking” a hidden layer of exquisite wood veneer trim positioned directly behind the glass. This duality allows occupants to switch between a high-tech digital experience and a warm, traditional ambiance, depending on their mood.
Further demonstrating Bentley’s commitment to tactile luxury, there’s a substantial physical dial positioned behind the center screen. Bentley has affectionately dubbed this the “Mechanical Marvel.” Its design cleverly resembles an old radial plane engine, paying homage to a bygone era of mechanical ingenuity. This physical control adds a satisfying haptic feedback often missing in purely digital interfaces. Surrounding a central Bentley emblem are movable and lit-up glass elements. These can be intuitively manipulated to display crucial information, such as the direction of travel or the vehicle’s state of charge, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern utility.
Luxurious Materials and Innovative Details
The cabin of the EXP 15 is a masterful blend of rich, opulent materials, demonstrating Bentley’s unwavering dedication to luxury. A tactile wool textile is expertly paired with intricate 3-D-printed titanium trim, showcasing a harmonious combination of natural and advanced materials. This contrast highlights Bentley’s ability to innovate while maintaining a luxurious aesthetic.
The switchgear on both the steering wheel and the center console boasts an exquisite gold-knurled finish. This meticulous attention to detail elevates every interaction, providing a sensory experience that is both visually stunning and satisfying to the touch. Additionally, backlit panels on the doors and around the rear seats incorporate a repeated motif derived from the car’s distinctive grille pattern. This creates a cohesive design language throughout the interior, adding to the overall ambiance.
Thoughtful Practicality: The Picnic Trunk and Advanced Paint
Even the trunk of the EXP 15 reveals a clever and luxurious surprise: it can double as a sophisticated picnic setup. Two small, plush cushions ingeniously fold out to form comfortable seats, allowing occupants to enjoy outdoor moments in style. A integrated fridge ensures champagne and other refreshments remain perfectly chilled, enhancing the outdoor experience. A glowing glass lamp adds a touch of ambiance, making any impromptu stop a memorable occasion. This feature underscores Bentley’s commitment to thoughtful luxury and enhancing the lifestyle of its owners.
Another ingenious trick featured on the EXP 15 is its Pallas Gold paintwork. This bespoke finish utilizes a new, ultra-thin aluminum pigment. This innovative pigment allows crucial radar sensors to transmit through it without any degradation of signal quality. This means Bentley can seamlessly hide advanced safety devices and sensors that might otherwise be visually obtrusive. For example, on the current Continental GT, some safety sensors are visible within the grille. With this new paint technology, these devices can be entirely concealed, maintaining the vehicle’s clean lines and aesthetic integrity, demonstrating Bentley’s dedication to both safety and uncompromised design.
Shaping Bentley’s Electric Future
Bentley has stated that the EXP 15 is purely a concept and is not intended for direct production. However, the brand unequivocally confirmed that the concept serves as a clear preview of its future design direction. Specifically, many elements of its exterior styling are expected to appear on Bentley’s first production electric vehicle. This highly anticipated model is likely to be unveiled next year, in 2026. While the EXP 15 showcases a unique, elevated sporting sedan form, the brand’s first production EV is expected to take on a more traditional small-SUV form factor.
This strategic choice aligns with current market trends and customer demand for luxury SUVs. Despite the difference in body style, the foundational design principles, luxurious materials, and innovative technological integrations previewed by the EXP 15 are set to define Bentley’s exciting electric future, promising a new era of sustainable, yet undeniably opulent, motoring.
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