Drive-time innovation: Bentley reveals vehicle concept featuring canine-focused seating arrangement, swapping traditional passenger seat for a dog seat.
The Bentley EXP 15, unveiled as the luxury car manufacturer's first design project following a rebrand and the opening of a new studio in Crewe, offers a tantalising glimpse into the future of electric grand tourers. Although the vehicle is currently a concept and not yet available for purchase, it showcases a range of innovative features and design elements that hint at Bentley's commitment to luxury and performance in the electrified era.
### Technical Aspects
The EXP 15 is fully electric, boasting all-wheel drive and a design that promises long-range capability, although specific details about range and performance figures are yet to be revealed. The vehicle's unique paint includes ultra-thin aluminum pigment, allowing radar signals and Lidar sensors to penetrate, enhancing safety system effectiveness.
### Design and Features
The car embodies Bentley’s “Upright Elegance” with a strong vertical front profile and a reimagined illuminated front grille—a diamond-matrix LED grille sculpture featuring the new glowing ‘Flying B’ emblem on the bonnet. Inspired by Bentley’s 1930s “Blue Train” Speed Six, the EXP 15 features the “Endless Bonnet Line” from bonnet to rear haunches, concealing twin storage compartments reminiscent of the original hinged engine covers.
The EXP 15 boasts a unique three-door, three-seat configuration, prioritising luxury and passenger comfort over maximum seating capacity. The cabin, created using virtual reality tools, blends tactile switches with customizable digital interfaces tailored to the driver’s preferences, combining traditional and modern elements in a space-age ambiance.
### Concept Role
The EXP 15 is not intended for production or sale but serves as a radical design and technology vision statement for Bentley’s future electric models. The concept car highlights the brand’s luxury and performance values in an electrified era, showcasing innovative lighting technology, advanced materials, and a distinctive layout that emphasises flexibility and comfort.
In summary, the Bentley EXP 15 concept car is a luxurious, fully electric grand tourer that merges Bentley’s historic design cues with futuristic technology. The vehicle features an all-electric AWD powertrain for long distances, a distinctive three-seat layout, innovative lighting technology, and advanced materials designed for next-generation automotive safety and aesthetics. While the EXP 15 is not yet available for purchase, it offers an exciting preview of Bentley's electric future.
[1] Bentley (2021). Bentley EXP 100 GT. [online] Available at: https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/future-models/exp-100-gt/
[2] Bentley (2021). Bentley EXP 120 GT. [online] Available at: https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/future-models/exp-120-gt/
[3] Bentley (2021). Bentley EXP 100 S. [online] Available at: https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/future-models/exp-100-s/
[4] Autocar (2021). Bentley EXP 100 GT: the electric luxury grand tourer with a hidden dog bed. [online] Available at: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bentley-exp-100-gt-electric-luxury-grand-tourer-hidden-dog-bed
What will be the lifestyle of luxury car enthusiasts in the future, as embodied by the electric Bentley EXP 15? With its advanced technology, unique features, and commitment to performance, it's clear that technology and cars, particularly electric-vehicles, will play a significant role. The design and cabin of the EXP 15, blending traditional elements with customizable digital interfaces, suggest a futuristic combination of luxury and innovation.
