Bentley EXP 15: a futuristic design concept inspired by grand touring
Bentley Motors has unveiled the EXP 15, a striking design concept that reimagines the brand’s heritage for the electric age. Unveiled at the recently opened Bentley Design Studio, the EXP 15 combines classic grand touring proportions with state-of-the-art technology, offering a sneak preview of Bentley’s future design language and its inaugural fully electric production model, scheduled for release in 2026.
A Modern Tribute to the Speed Six Legacy
Drawing inspiration from the legendary 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupé - nicknamed the “Blue Train” after the race between Bentley chairman Woolf Barnato and the Le Train Bleu express - the EXP 15 reimagines classic design elements with a contemporary twist. While paying homage to the past, the concept car reinterprets these elements in a modern way.
The exterior features a commanding upright grille, a long bonnet and muscular rear haunches - all of which are hallmarks of Bentley’s grand touring lineage. Modern touches include advanced lighting technology, active aerodynamics and a sleek presence. The rear design incorporates a clean, expansive surface known as the 'Prestigious Shield', adorned with an updated winged Bentley emblem and intricate diamond-patterned lighting.
Innovative Three-Seat Interior with Flexible Functionality
Inside, the EXP 15 takes a departure from the conventional luxury sedan with its three-seat layout, which is a nod to the configuration of the original Speed Six. The driver's side has a single door, while the passenger side has twin coach doors and a panoramic roof section that opens to allow easy entry. The passenger seat can be rotated 45 degrees outwards to facilitate a graceful exit and can be adjusted between 'Co-pilot', 'Standard' and 'Relax' modes to optimise comfort.
The cabin blends physical and digital interfaces. The full-width dashboard can transform from a digital display into a veneered wood surface, and a central 'Mechanical Marvel' device - a kinetic, clock-like instrument - provides dynamic information in an artistic, tactile manner. Storage solutions are equally innovative: a foldable footwell provides space for pets or luggage, and the tailgate converts into a social hub with deployable seats, a lamp and a cooler for refreshments.
A Glimpse into Bentley’s Electric Future
Although it is not intended for production, the EXP 15 signals the direction in which Bentley is heading with its upcoming all-electric models. Its proportions, surfacing techniques and design principles, such as the “Upright Elegance” and “Resting Beast” stances, will influence future vehicles, including the brand’s first electric car, which is due to be released in 2026.
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