A GRAND TOUR INTO THE FUTURE: BENTLEY UNVEILS THE HUGE EXP 15 VISION CONCEPT
Bentley Motors has pulled the silk sheet off its most ambitious design study yet: the EXP 15, a new concept that imagines what the future of ultra-luxury grand touring could look like. Debuting inside the company’s brand-new design studio, the full-scale model blends Bentley’s heritage styling cues with avant-garde materials, technology, and sustainability to chart a course for future electrified models. The EXP 15 pays homage to the iconic 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupe - often referred to as the "Blue Train" car - with its upright grille, long flowing bonnet, and rear-set cabin. But this isn’t retro. With fluid surfacing, ultra-slim lighting, active aerodynamic elements, and dramatic proportions over five metres long, the EXP 15 plants itself firmly in the realm of 21st-century sculpture.
There are five key exterior design principles behind the concept:
Upright Elegance: Bentley’s future cars will feature a signature vertical line in profile, reminiscent of a thoroughbred horse poised in stillness.
Iconic Grille: Despite the transition to electric power, Bentley’s distinctive grille remains a visual centrepiece — now reimagined as a platform for digital artistry using LED lighting.
Endless Bonnet Line: A nod to heritage proportions, with modern functionality beneath. Twin hinged storage compartments up front reference the Gurney Nutting coupe.
Resting Beast Stance: Powerful rear haunches mimic the tension of a resting big cat. Bentley’s golden ratio remains: one-third cabin, two-thirds body.
Prestigious Shield: A clean, uninterrupted rear surface frames diamond-patterned rear lights and a central tailgate-mounted Bentley emblem.
Aerodynamic details include active spoilers and diffusers, sculpted vents, and slim LED light bars that frame and define the car’s bodywork. The body is finished in a satin Pallas Gold paint, formulated with ultra-thin aluminium pigments that are Lidar- and radar-friendly.
The interior is equally bold. The EXP 15 uses a three-seat layout: a driver’s seat and rear seat accessed from the left-hand side via a single door, and a flexible, high-luxury passenger seat on the right that can swivel outwards for graceful entry and exit. The roof also opens to aid ingress and egress, an idea inspired by the British Royal Family’s Bentley state limousine. This passenger seat has multiple modes: upright next to the driver, reclined for relaxation, or moved back to create expansive legroom. Beneath the Concertina Floor Storage system are footrests and storage for a small pet or hand luggage. The rear cargo area is more than just a boot; open the hatch and you’ll find deployable seats, a soft-glow lamp, and even a fridge, turning the EXP 15 into the ultimate picnic companion.
Five Interior Design Principles Drive the Cabin Aesthetic:
Wing Gesture: Echoing Bentley's badge, the dashboard design sweeps in a wing-like arc.
Bold Gravitas: Large surfaces of natural wood, stone, and metal celebrate authenticity and craft.
Cocooning Haven: Privacy elements like wrap-around canopies ensure occupants feel sheltered and serene.
Iconic Details: Familiar Bentley hallmarks like knurled switches, bullseye vents, and diamond quilting remain.
Magical Fusion: Physical and digital elements blend seamlessly, such as a rotating digital veneer dashboard and the centrepiece 'Mechanical Marvel' — a sculptural, clock-like device that displays travel direction, battery state, or simply mesmerises.
Materials in the EXP 15 are a showcase of sustainability and craftsmanship. You’ll find a 100% wool ombre-effect textile from 250-year-old weavers Fox Brothers, a fine silk jacquard woven by Gainsborough, fabric supplier to the late Queen, titanium trim pieces produced via 3D printing for reduced weight and waste and Acrylic Couture, a woven metal mesh embedded in acrylic that creates dazzling 3D lighting effects.
With EXP 15, Bentley looks forward by looking deeply into its past, redefining what it means to Grand Tour in the modern age – with power, poise, and unmistakable British style.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off this massive concept car that seems to signify where the best in British motoring is headed. Well, for the elite anyway: Bentley presents concept EXP 15 | Bentley Motors
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