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Car and Driver
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
View Exterior Photos of the Bentley EXP 15 Concept
Bentley is heading in a new direction, with the EXP 15 concept serving as a beacon for the brand's new design language that will appear on its first EV that is due out next year. Read the full story | View Interior Photos
Motor Trend
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Bentley EXP 15 Concept: A 3-Seat, 3-Door Sneak Peek at a Production Bentley EV
Though Bentley pulled back on its full-on EV transition plans last year, it still plans to reveal its very first, fully electric production car next year and begin selling it the year after that. The Bentley EXP 15 concept is the latest look we have at (some of) what to expect. The Bentley EXP 15 concept showcases a three-seat, three-door design with unique features like a sliding, swiveling seat and a convertible trunk space. While not a direct preview of future EVs, it hints at possible design elements and interior ideas for Bentley's upcoming electric models. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next With three doors and three seats—one of which can slide forward and back, as well as recline—it's likely much of what you see on the EXP 15 won't make it to production. But the Bentley-ish design elements are all there, inside and out, and they show the brand has a utility lifestyle in mind. It Still Looks Like a Bentley Inspiration for the EXP 15 came from the three-seater 1930 Bentley Speed Six. Approach the concept and it certainly has all the hallmarks of a production Bentley sedan. A long hood, raked windshield, and fastback silhouette all evoke a sense of forward momentum (and look vaguely similar to the Rolls-Royce Spectre electric coupe...). It's also huge: At more than 197 inches long, it's longer than a Kia Telluride. Because it previews a BEV, however, the front grille no longer has to be quite as functional, so designers felt they could let loose a bit more here. The bifurcated front plane wears a diamond pattern that recalls a seat pattern design. Two Bentley logos sit atop it, with the winged "B" meant as a homage of the original 1919 hood ornament. Flanking the front fascia is are four slim light strips that make up the headlights. Air vents behind the front wheels channel airflow, and the diamond-patterned taillight design is surprisingly modest compared to the highly textured front end. Dual active spoilers and a single diffuser on the car's underside further improve aerodynamics—should the concept actually see any action. Interestingly, the paint—Pallas Gold—is a super thin aluminum pigment that can allegedly be coated over radar sensors without a detriment to their signal quality. The paint is also highly reflective enough that it can be "seen" by other vehicles' lidar systems. A Pair of Threes Without an engine taking up space under the long hood, Bentley says there are two storage compartments under there that can be accessed via hinged engine covers, which implies a flat-ish, low-slung skateboard EV platform. A full-width digital dashboard can be used to access the infotainment system or turned off to show a wood-veneer surface you can see beneath the glass. Beyond that, any surface that could be textured looks as though it has been textured, like the back-lit and quilted-cut veneers on the door cards. There are three doors: The first one is the driver's side door that opens to a driver's seat and rear seat behind. The second and third ones are front- and rear-hinged respectively, on the passenger side, which is super fun. These doors offer access to the show-stopping third seat. It's a flexible, passenger-side seat that can swivel outwards by 45 degrees, so you aren't clambering in and out of the car like some low-class dunce. ( Ew , David.) The seat can also be slid up front to be next to the driver, kept in the back in rear-passenger position, or reclined for maximum relaxation. Positioned away from the front row, this passenger seat offers what appears to be massive amounts of legroom and additional storage space you can access without having to go into the trunk. Speaking of that trunk ... Let's Talk About That Trunk Besides being a place to throw your luggage, the EXP 15's tailgate also folds down to create two small jump seats alongside a deployable mood lamp and small fridge. The Bentley photos show glasses of sparkling something we can presume is a vintage Dom, but can you imagine chilling some PBR in there? Imagine rocking up to the game in this bad boy. EV Specs? Not Right Now Bentley says the EXP 15 uses an all-wheel-drive and fully electric powertrain. It's envisioned to have "a long range" and charge speeds within "the convenience customers have come to expect of a Bentley." The automaker offers no further information beyond that, so we'll just have to wait to find out things like power, battery size, and range, but at least two motors (one up front, one in rear) seems easy to envision. Bentley is careful to say the EXP 15 is not a preview of "the smaller all-electric production Bentley vehicle expected in 2026." So, it's probably safe to say the production car won't be as big and probably won't have the sliding and swiveling passenger seat. It's also unclear whether it'll even come as a sedan, or a coupe like the Rolls-Royce Spectre. The automaker does note, however, that exterior design cues, as well as technical and digital interior ideas "could become reality in the longer term." We infer this to mean the cabin materials and dashboard layout might be what it's hinting at here. Mostly, we just hope the tailgate feature makes it to production, because that just seems like a great time. In the meantime, here are some more sketches of the EXP 15.
Auto Blog
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Ferrari Amalfi Arrives To Personify Italian Elegance
Ferrari Keeps It Simple Ferrari views each of its cars as a work of art, and as such, each piece must have its own name, even if the latest piece of expression looks very similar to what has come before. Hence, the updated Ferrari 488 GTB became the F8 Tributo, and in 2025, the updated Roma is the Amalfi. At first glance, the new Amalfi looks almost identical to the grand tourer revealed in 2019, but the replacement for the Roma has been refined in several ways and is proof that Ferrari listens to its customers, at least some of the time. Refined Styling Shows The Family Resemblance The design of the Roma was praised for its clean lines and elegant execution, and Ferrari only made subtle changes. At the front, the headlights are far slimmer and narrower, with a bar of negative space connecting each to the other. This and the new Purosangue-like grille give the Amalfi a look that calls to mind the 12Cilindri, and at the rear, slimmer taillights topped by an adaptive spoiler do the same. Another subtle but important change is a sharper shoulder line, and all these changes make the Amalfi look lower, wider, and sleeker than the Roma. Ferrari says that the redesigned rear spoiler and new underbody lips help make the Amalfi more predictable, and in the most extreme of three settings for the rear spoiler, the Amalfi generates 242 lbs more downforce than the car it replaces. The redesigned headlights and their ducts also send more air to the turbochargers, increasing power and reducing acceleration times. It may not seem immediately apparent, but every exterior panel except the glasshouse is new. Also new is Verde Costiera paint, a real green inspired by the Amalfi Coast. More Power, Quicker Acceleration Under the bulging hood is still a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8, but it now produces 631 horsepower (up 19 hp from the Roma), thanks to a light camshaft that allows for higher engine speeds, the ECU from the 12Cilindri, and those aforementioned intake ducts in the headlights. Torque remains the same at 561 lb-ft, and the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is unchanged, but 0-62 mph now takes 3.3 seconds, shaving a tenth off the Roma's sprint. Speaking with Autocar, product development boss Gianmaria Fulgenzi said that he and his team at Ferrari prioritized accessibility because 50% of Roma buyers had never driven a Ferrari before. One of their achievements is a brake-by-wire system that replaces mechanical braking components with a computer-controlled system that allows drivers to brake hard even in the wet without losing any feel or performance, while the steering system from the 296 GTB promises even sharper handling. But Ferrari isn't only trying to accommodate new buyers. Interior Blends Technology With Tactility Touch capacitive controls have permeated every level of the automotive industry, and although Ferrari has tried to spin these pads as evidence of high-tech, buyers have not enjoyed them. Fortunately, Ferrari does listen to its buyers at times, and the Amalfi brings with it the clamored-for return of a physical start/stop button in red on a new steering wheel. Not only does this look and feel better and hide fingerprints better, but it also makes every start-up feel more dramatic and emotional. Driving a Ferrari should be an event, and this amps up the excitement, as does the new Verde Bellagio green upholstery. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Technology is still a big part of the experience, though, with a new 10.25-inch central infotainment screen flanked by a 15.6-inch driver display and an 8.8-inch passenger screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging also feature alongside an optional 14-speaker Burmester audio setup. Helping make each front occupant feel cocooned in their own cockpit is a new center console, or 'bridge,' as Ferrari describes it, made from a solid block of aluminum. Our Take Just as the Portofino marked a step forward from the California, the Amalfi elevates the performance, styling, and luxury of the Roma. But it will also influence future Ferrari models, as we doubt Roma buyers were the only ones complaining about the loss of button controls in the cabin. On the one hand, the Amalfi is little more than a revised Roma, but on the other, it keeps the V8 alive in the Ferrari range and shows that Maranello isn't afraid to admit when it's made a mistake. Hopefully, upcoming Ferrari models will be just as impressive, though none will be as 'cheap' as this. In Italy, the Amalfi starts at €240,000, or nearly $283,000, roughly $60,000 less than the next cheapest Ferrari, the 296 GTB. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
Car and Driver
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Aston Martin DB12 Palm Beach Is a One-Off to Celebrate the Florida Sun
Aston Martin revealed a new one-of-one edition of the DB12 Volante called the Palm Beach Edition, meant to celebrate the eponymous area. The special edition is finished in an exclusive Frosted Glass Blue exterior paint that Aston Martin says requires hand-spraying to get the proper effect. The inside of the Palm Beach Edition makes repeated use of a palm-leaf motif, and the seatbacks and trim are finished in Linear Light Olive Ash wood. Toeing the line between tastefully displaying your wealth and looking like Jay Gatsby can be quite the challenging task, particularly when you're in South Florida and every other car on the block originates from Italy or Germany. There's a simple solution to avoiding any nouveau riche accusations—buy an Aston Martin. If it's classy enough for Bond, it's probably classy enough for you. To that end, Aston Martin just revealed the Palm Beach Edition DB12 Volante, a new one-of-one model designed to walk the tightrope between elegance and kitsch. The exterior is finished in an exclusive Frosted Glass Blue paint that mixes glass flakes in the topcoat to create a shimmer effect, which the brand says encapsulates the South Florida sun. The brand also says the effect is only possible by hand-spraying the paint onto the car. Aston Martin The cabin is made up of Aurora Blue and Ivory leather with Spicy Red contrasting stitching, but the showstopper is the Linear Light Olive Ash book-matched wood trim found on the dash, center console, doors, and seatbacks. Palm Beach's latitude and longitude coordinates are embossed onto the leather dashboard, and there's a palm-leaf motif scattered from the seats to the door sills. South Florida Celebration If the theme hasn't made itself clear yet, the one-of-one model was designed in collaboration between Aston Martin's Q division and Aston Martin Palm Beach, drawing on inspiration from the Palm Beach area. Aston Martin Aston Martin didn't mention anything about mechanical changes for the one-off car. That means the Palm Beach Edition likely comes with typical DB12 hardware. But even for South Florida, the DB12 is anything but typical, with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 spitting out 671 horsepower and offering an estimated zero-to-60-mph time of 3.4 seconds for the Volante. As for pricing, the standard DB12 Volante starts at $271,825, but we expect the requisite cash for the Palm Beach Edition to be closer to $400K. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
Car and Driver
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
BMW Gearing Up to Reveal Shooting Brake Based on the Skytop Concept
BMW teased a new shooting brake model ahead of this year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Based on Instagram posts made by BMW and the automaker's head designer, the new car looks to be based on last year's Skytop concept. Following the reception of the Skytop at last year's Villa d'Este, BMW confirmed a limited-production run of 50 Skytops, which could lead to more of the same for this model. Each year, Italy's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is a gathering of some of the most famous and costly vehicles around the world—and of course, the people with the ultra-deep pockets to buy them. Naturally, it's the perfect place for a luxury automaker to launch a costly concept car. That's exactly what BMW did a year ago with the Skytop concept. Now, the brand appears poised to do the same once again with a shooting brake version. BMW teased the new model with a post on its Instagram account, describing the car as "dynamic, elegant, exotic." It shows two pictures of the same swooping bodywork and minimalistic taillight design as the Skytop, now in shooting brake form. And if the Skytop is anything to go by, the new model could be headed for production. BMW has plans to build 50 examples of the Skytop convertible. It's largely based on the M8 Competition, and it sources some 617 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 under the hood. Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW's head of design and the man in charge of the Skytop's look, also posted a preview of the shooting brake to Instagram. While Hooydonk's post is too blurry to gather any intricate details, it does show off the low-slung silhouette of the new car. BMW With the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este coming up this weekend, it's entirely plausible that BMW expects to sell a further 50 Skytop models to the wealthy clientele descending on Como, Italy. Either way, we expect to see many more revealing photos of the shooting brake by the end of the weekend. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
