This plug-in powerhouse isn’t for plebes
Bentley is a storied luxury brand with a design language that is easily recognizable, but it can’t remain in the past forever. News of the Bentley EXP 15 Concept recently dropped, and it shows the world an even more radical departure from the classic Bentley design than the Batur or Bacalar. It’s also far more modern, far more squared-off, and far less swoopy than the EXP 100 GT concept from 2019. The electric EXP 15 points the way to the brand’s electrified future as Bentley’s first EV as a tall two-door grand tourer/crossover with a sloping greenhouse and an interior that befits a modern king. Let’s take a look at this concept that will pave the way to Bentley’s future.
A bit of old, a lot of new
Bentley doesn’t want to completely do away with tradition, so it borrowed a silhouette from its past. The cab-rearward shape is meant to evoke the Bentley Speed Six “Blue Train” from the 1920s and 30s. There’s also a fresh interpretation of the signature Bentley grille, this time a faux version with vivid LED illumination, capped off by a new illuminated logo (now with falcon wings instead of the old owl wings?) and a modernized Bentley hood ornament. The LED headlight shape carries over to the big taillights.
The large, three-door body (one on the driver’s side, two on the passenger side, with a suicide door at the rear) is characterized by tall, slab-sided panels and enormous rear haunches, for which Bentleys are known. Ornamentation on the outside is kept to a minimum, a goal by Andreas Mindt, Bentley’s design chief. Bentley refers to the EXP 15’s styling approach as “resting beast mode”, communicating a readiness for the execution of power and motion. Bentley is making a big statement with a design that pushes far beyond anything it has built before.
A futuristic interior that’s sustainable and schmancy
The modernly luxurious interior is like nothing the brand has ever done before. Minimalism carries over to the interior but not in a Spartan manner. The winged dash with inset screens provides stunning symmetry, and the three-seat layout imparts a lounge-like cabin with spacious comfort for the passengers. Inside, the EXP 15 focuses on sustainability and digital minimalism. Cabin materials aren’t specified, but it wouldn’t be out of the question for Bentley to use environmentally-friendly textiles, beautiful veneers, and vegan leathers.
The center stack’s illuminated control wheel will interact with Bentley’s upcoming “self-learning AI assistant”. It looks beautiful, but it’s not just a pretty ornament. It will also provide an advanced user experience that is currently in development for a production version and for future Bentley models. There are also luggage tie-down straps, fold-out tailgate seats, and a huge center tunnel with controls for the rear, including a gorgeous reading lamp mounted between the back seats.
Bentley’s EV roadmap
Bentley
The EXP 15 is not a production car, but it may very well indicate what all future Bentley models may look like. There are no details about the EXP 15’s powertrain, but it’s definitely electric. This is the beginning of Bentley’s Beyond100+ strategy, and the first Bentley EV will arrive sometime in 2026. It will be hand-built at Bentley HQ in Crewe, England, and will usher in a new era for the brand while keeping with Bentley’s commitment to its legacy of design and craftsmanship.
Final thoughts
Bentley design is clearly evolving with the times and no longer resting on its laurels. While Bentley hasn’t confirmed that the EXP 15 will directly morph into a production model, company execs strongly suggest that a two-door grand tourer EV will occupy its lineup sometime in the future. It’s a gamble for the brand to transition fully to electric power and almost completely depart from its current design language. The new EV will undoubtedly be powerful, but even affluent Bentley buyers will want to know what its range will be. Only time will tell.
About the author
Amos Kwon
Contributing Writer, Autoblog