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The Independent
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Bentley's dog-friendly concept previews new electric urban SUV
Bentley is heading to an electric future, and this concept gives us our biggest clues yet what it will look like. The Bentley EXP 15 is a futuristic three-seat grand tourer concept that looks to the future while tipping its hat to the past. This is not a car you'll see on the road any time soon – or ever, in fact. Like all EXP models (EXP standing for Experimental Prototype) this one is a statement of intent, not a showroom model. But it's a bold and brilliant one, offering a taste of where Bentley is headed as it embarks on its journey into electrification with its all-electric urban SUV due to be unveiled next year. Inspired by the legendary 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Coupe – better known as the 'Blue Train' – the EXP 15's proportions are unmistakably grand. There's a long 'endless' bonnet, a rearward-set cabin and a proud upright grille. It's every inch the grand tourer of Bentley lore, albeit wrapped in some very 21st-century tech and style. Just like the original Blue Train car that famously raced across France faster than the train it was named after, the EXP 15 has performance in its DNA – even if we don't yet know the numbers. It's imagined as a fully electric, all-wheel-drive machine, capable of covering big miles in silence and style, with a long range and fast charging. What you can see, though, is dramatic. The front grille remains large and iconic – despite not needing to feed air to a combustion engine – and now acts as a digital canvas lit up with intricate LED detailing. Slim lights frame it like jewellery, while a new 'prestigious shield' tailgate design and muscular rear haunches make for a powerful stance. Active aerodynamics, including deployable spoilers and a rear diffuser, show Bentley is serious about EV efficiency. Perhaps the most intriguing part of EXP 15 is the inside. Bentley's interior designers have let their imaginations off the leash and the result is a remarkable fusion of old-school craftsmanship and the very latest tech. The three-seat layout places the driver and a rear seat behind one another on one side, while the passenger gets a throne-like perch with a canopy that can wrap around them for privacy. Naturally, that seat swivels outwards to aid graceful exits. Then there's the tech. A huge dashboard spans the cabin, capable of switching from digital interface to beautiful wood veneer at the touch of a button. Nestled within is the so-called 'mechanical marvel' – a delightful centrepiece of moving illuminated fingers that's part art installation, part instrument cluster. It's Bentley's way of blending the physical and digital, and it works a treat. Even the boot gets in on the act – lift the rear hatch and you'll find not just storage but picnic seating, an ambient lamp and a fridge for chilled drinks. It's glamping, Bentley-style. Material choices are equally imaginative. A 100% wool textile by Fox Brothers – the firm behind thorn-proof cloth for centuries – features in a damson ombre finish, paired with 3D-printed titanium trim. A fine silk jacquard from Gainsborough Textiles – another British heritage brand – lines parts of the interior, while a new aluminium-based paint finish called pallas gold adds a liquid metal sheen to the bodywork. Cleverly, it's thin enough to let radar signals pass through it, making it future proof for autonomy, too. Bentley design boss Robin Page said 'the beauty of a concept car is not just to position our new design language, but to test where the market's going. It's clear that SUVs are a growing segment and we understand the GT market – through four generations of the Continental GT – but the trickiest segment is the sedan because it's changing. Some customers want a classic 'three-box' sedan shape, others a 'one-box' design, and others again something more elevated. So this was a chance for us to talk to people and get a feeling.' The exterior follows five design principles that will inform Bentley's future production cars: Upright Elegance, Iconic Grille, Endless Bonnet Line, Resting Beast stance, and Prestigious Shield. There's even a nod to thoroughbred horses in the car's silhouette – gently upright and poised like a champion ready to gallop. Inside, the guiding themes are just as poetic: Wing Gesture design for the dashboard; Bold Gravitas for generous surfaces and real materials; Cocooning Haven for comfort and privacy; Iconic Details like knurled switches and diamond patterns; and Magical Fusion – the blend of digital and mechanical that makes this interior so special. As ever with Bentley, it's not just about looking good – it's about feeling good. EXP 15 is designed to be thoughtful, intuitive and luxurious in equal measure. Whether it's adjusting to your mood, accommodating your pet or serving up a fridge-chilled drink from the boot, this concept has all bases covered. So no, you won't be able to buy the EXP 15 – but you will see bits of it again, especially in next year's Luxury Urban SUV, which will be the first reimagined production Bentley for the electric age.
Courier-Mail
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Bentley's EXP 15 concept previews luxury brand's electric future
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Bentley's drive for the future is as bold as its vehicles. A daring new concept car, the EXP 15, paves the road ahead for a brand that has juggled tech and tradition for decades. Though Bentley originally planned to release its first EV in 2025, we are still waiting to see what form that car will take. Like many brands, Bentley has pushed back its electrification plan to make sure it delivers something customers are ready for. Bentley's EXP 15 concept. Picture: Supplied Bentley factory in Crewe. (Picture: Supplied) MORE: Jet pilot tech tested for drivers The company is now focusing on a new goal of offering a complete line-up of electric vehicles by 2035. A key detail in the company's strategy is to ensure that the Bentley Dream Factory in Crewe is fully operational for EV production by the time they start rolling out their first EV product. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY Bentley has recently opened a new paint shop and an 'Excellence Centre for Quality and Launch', marking a significant milestone in transforming the 85-year-old site for a new era of electrification. Bentley says the new facilities aim to set a new benchmark in next-generation, digital, flexible, and high-value manufacturing operations. it is now shifting its focus to constructing a new logistics centre, with the completion timeline aimed for later this year. We still don't know much about the new full-electric vehicle being launched in 2026, except that it is a luxury urban SUV. Bentley's factory in Crewe. Picture: Supplied The brand prides itself on attention to detail. Picture: Supplied Bentley recently revealed the EXP 15 concept electric vehicle, which gives us the best idea yet of what the brand's first EV might look like. The EXP 15 draws design inspiration from the marque's renowned 'Blue Train' Speed Six of 1930 and features an all-electric, all-wheel-drive powertrain that will ultimately replace its iconic V8 and W12 engines. Bentley's EXP 15 concept points to an electric future. Picture: Supplied The EXP 15 concept has bold styling. Picture: Supplied MORE: Luxury vans to shock Australia With its radical three-door layout and emphasis on tactile controls, the EXP 15 offers an exciting preview of Bentley's commitment to performance and luxury in an electric era. Bentley's design director Robin Page said the car is an opportunity to explore new approaches. 'It's clear the SUVs are a growing segment, and we understand the GT market (through four generations of Continental GT), but the trickiest segment is the sedan because it's changing,' he said. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'Some customers want a classic 'three-box' sedan shape, others a 'one-box design, and others again something more elevated. 'The EXP 15 falls somewhere in between, with raised ride height and a sloped fastback-style roof line, but many familiar elements from Bentley's two-door and four-door models.' At the front, slim vertical LED lights frame a bold new take on Bentley's iconic upright grille. Bentley has chosen to retain the upright grille as a way to maintain one of its most iconic design elements. Although electric vehicles do not require a grille for cooling, Page noted that the grille would evolve into a form of 'digital art.' EXP 15 concept. (Picture: Supplied) Behind it, it retains Bentley's signature 'endless' bonnet line, but rather than hiding a combustion engine, it conceals two luggage compartments beneath piano-hinged covers inspired by the 1930 Bentley Gurney Nutting coupe. The top of the bonnet also debuts Bentley's new logo. At the back of the car, the pillars beside the rear window taper inward, giving it a sleek 'boattail' shape that enhances the wide rear wheel arches. The tailgate features two high-mounted spoilers that connect seamlessly to slim, C-shaped tail-lights. These lights frame a new design element known as the 'Prestigious Shield,' which showcases the Bentley badge. Inside, the EXP 15 features a radical three-door, three-seat layout, which takes inspiration from the one-off 'Blue Train' Speed Six. EXP 15 concept. (Picture: Supplied) MORE: The best car of the 21st century There's a single door on the driver's side in true coupe style, while the passenger side gets a two-door saloon set up. How does this configuration make logical sense? Well, according to the brand, it does. Here's why. Bentleys are traditionally bought by people who like to drive themselves and occasionally be driven. The least important seat in the car is the front passenger's, so it's been replaced with a luxury pet bed or additional luggage storage space. EXP 15 concept. (Picture: Supplied) The dashboard is shaped like the Bentley wings and includes physical tactile switches, as customers are increasingly tired of digital buttons and prefer the responsiveness of physical controls. Bentley has not released specific technical details about the EXP 15's powertrain, but the confirmed all-wheel-drive electric system, likely featuring two motors, suggests that Bentley's future EVs will uphold their legacy of both performance and luxury. Although the EXP 15 is just a concept and won't be arriving at any dealerships in Australia, we can expect to see features from this innovative design integrated into the luxury brand's first electric vehicle. Originally published as How Bentley is preparing for the electrified era
India Today
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Bentley EXP 15: A concept blending heritage with electric future
Bentley Motors has revealed the EXP 15, a dramatic new design concept that reimagines the brand's grand touring heritage for the electric era. Unveiled at the opening of Bentley's new design studio in Crewe, the EXP 15 is a striking expression of the marque's future direction, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and offering a tantalising glimpse of Bentley's first all-electric production car due in 2026. advertisementThough not destined for production, the EXP 15 is more than a showpiece. Drawing inspiration from the legendary 1930 Bentley Speed Six 'Blue Train' coupe, the five-metre-plus concept fuses classic proportions, a long, endless bonnet, upright grille, and powerful rear haunches with high-tech flourishes like digital lighting signatures and active aerodynamics. The result is an elegant sporting sedan silhouette that bridges past and future. Bentley EXP 15 exteriorThe EXP 15 embodies five key exterior design principles Bentley says will inform its future models: Upright elegance, iconic grille, endless bonnet line, resting beast stance, and the shield rear design. These come to life in sculptural surfacing that blends muscular forms with carved precision, giving the car a monolithic presence as though hewn from a single block. Distinctive lighting details punctuate the design, including ultra-slim vertical headlamp strips that frame a modern digital interpretation of Bentley's iconic grille. At the rear, intricate diamond-patterned lights echo the brand's traditional quilting, while active aerodynamic elements including deployable spoilers and an active EXP 15 interiorInside, the EXP 15 ventures into new territory with an innovative three-seat layout. Inspired by the unique proportions of the Speed Six 'Blue Train' coupe, the interior pairs Bentley's famed luxury with cutting-edge digital experiences. One door on the driver's side serves the driver and a cocooned rear seat, while the passenger side features twin coach doors and part of the panoramic roof that lift upward for graceful entry and can customise their ride thanks to a swiveling seat that slides between co-pilot, standard, and lounge-style relaxation positions. Ingenious storage solutions abound, including foldaway floor compartments for pets or luggage and a tailgate picnic setup complete with seating, ambient lighting, and a refrigerated compartment for drinks. A highlight of the cabin is Bentley's 'Magical Fusion' of physical and digital elements. A full-width dashboard transforms from digital displays to a serene wood veneer surface at the touch of a button. A centerpiece dubbed the 'Mechanical Marvel'—a sculptural clock-like device, adds a touch of horological artistry, merging function with play a starring role in EXP 15, showcasing Bentley's commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship. The interior features a mix of traditional British textiles and futuristic finishes, including 100% wool cloth from historic mill Fox Brothers, silk jacquard woven by Gainsborough (supplier to the British royal family), and 3D-printed titanium accents that reduce weight and manufacturing paintwork in a shimmering 'Pallas Gold' employs ultra-thin aluminum pigments that allow radar and lidar signals to pass through, an innovation key to the car's autonomous capabilities. While technical specifications remain under wraps, Bentley confirms the EXP 15 concept is envisioned as fully electric with all-wheel drive, promising the silent, powerful performance expected of a 21st-century Bentley grand firmly a design study, the EXP 15 offers clear hints of where Bentley is headed as it prepares to launch its first full-electric production car next EXP 15 shows how a storied marque can honor its past while redefining luxury for a sustainable future. And while this concept may never hit the road, it give a glimpse of what an electric Bentley should look and feel to Auto Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
TimesLIVE
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New Bentley EXP 15 hints at the brand's luxurious electric future
Bentley has unveiled a striking ultraluxury electric concept car with three seats and an interior that artfully blends mechanical and digital elements. Revealed at Bentley's new design studio in Crewe, England, the EXP 15 is not intended for production but hints at the British brand's future styling direction. The EXP 15 takes inspiration from Bentley's early 20th century grand tourer heritage and interprets it in a modern way. The concept car has an iconic upright grille, long 'endless' bonnet and rearward cabin reminiscent of the 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman coupé, often known as the 'Blue Train'. This famous Bentley was used by then-company chair Woolf Barnato to beat a luxury express train (Le Train Bleu) in a race from Cannes to Calais in France. The concept has modern exterior surfacing, hi-tech lighting and active aerodynamic elements. Its big party trick, however, is it has three seats and three doors to provide extra legroom for the special few and has in-cabin storage for pets and hand luggage. 'Twin coach doors and part of the panoramic roof open upwards on the passenger side to allow smoother entry and exit via a passenger side seat that can swivel 45° outwards. This allows passengers to disembark with dignity for that perfect Instagram shot,' according to Darren Day, Bentley's head of interior design. 'If you look at the car we built for Her Majesty the Queen, it was designed around the aperture of the door and 'the art of arrival'. It was important for us to create that feeling here, too,' said Day. Image: Supplied The three-position passenger seat can be moved forward next to the driver in Co-pilot mode, slid back to the rear seat or reclined for Relax mode. When the car is parked, the boot space can be used as upmarket picnic seating. Under the large rear hatch are two small seats that can deploy with a fridge stocked with cold drinks, which can slide back from the rear seats for luxury tailgate parties. The cabin mixes physical features with futuristic digital elements that can be brought to the fore or melt away into the background. This includes an update of Bentley's Rotating Dashboard, which can reveal an infotainment screen or rotate back to a solid dashboard surface. The boot can be transformed into a seating area. Image: Supplied The EXP 15's full-width dashboard can act as a digital interface for infotainment or switch off to reveal a veneered wood surface visible underneath the glass. Also mounted behind the screen is a clock-like device with multiple movable and illuminated fingers — which Bentley refers to as the 'Mechanical Marvel' as it can indicate the car's direction of travel, the state of its electric charge and much more — or just be a centrepiece to look upon. Robin Page, Bentley director of design, said: 'We think people are going to get fed up with a fully digital experience and are pining for physical mechanical elements. By combining the two, you can get the best of both worlds. It's almost like wearing a beautiful mechanical watch on one wrist and a digital watch on the other. Page added that the concept car positioned the brand's new design language and also tested where the market was going. 'It's clear that SUVs are a growing segment and we understand the GT market — through four generations of the Continental GT — but the trickiest segment is the sedan, because it's changing. Some customers want a classic 'three-box' sedan shape, others a 'one-box' design and others again something more elevated. So this was a chance for us to talk to people and get a feeling.' EXP 15 is conceived as having a fully electric, all-wheel drive powertrain with a long range and quick recharging speeds, but Bentley gave no further technical details.
The Verge
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Verge
Bentley's new EV concept has a grille fit for a freight train.
Posted Jul 9, 2025 at 3:53 PM UTC Bentley's new EV concept has a grille fit for a freight train. The EXP15 'design concept' is supposed to preview then British automaker's first all-electric model, due in 2026. Bentley said the design was inspired by the 'Blue Train,' which was a 1930 three-seater Speed Six. But this crazy concept looks more like a real train with that massive front end and an elongated body. Bentley says none of this is intended for production, which, like, duh.
