Bentley EXP 15 Debuts: A Bold Electric Future

England - Bentley Motors has officially unveiled the EXP 15 Design Vision Concept, a full-size exterior model paired with a virtual reality interior, offering a preview of the brand’s evolving design language and luxury electric future. The EXP 15 was revealed at the grand opening of Bentley’s new design studio in Crewe and serves as a conceptual foundation for the company’s first fully electric production car, expected to launch in 2026.

While the EXP 15 is not intended for sale, it offers strong visual and conceptual cues that reflect Bentley’s reinterpretation of its grand touring heritage in a modern context. The design draws direct inspiration from the legendary 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupe, known as the "Blue Train," reimagining it for a new era of luxury, performance, and sustainability.

A Fusion of Classic Form and Modern Function

The exterior of the EXP 15 embodies Bentley’s newly articulated five design principles: Upright Elegance, Iconic Grille, Endless Bonnet Line, Resting Beast, and Prestigious Shield. These principles shape the vehicle's muscular proportions, long and unbroken bonnet line, rearward cabin placement, and a digitally illuminated upright grille. The exterior design incorporates high-tech lighting systems, active aerodynamics, and monolithic sculptural elements, creating a confident and forward-looking stance.

Aerodynamic features such as active rear spoilers, digital light signatures, and functional vents highlight Bentley’s focus on both aesthetics and performance in the all-electric age. The Pallas Gold paintwork, created with ultra-thin aluminum pigment, ensures radar compatibility for autonomous driving systems while recalling classic design elements from Bentley’s past.

A Reconfigurable, Three-Seat Grand Touring Interior

Inside the EXP 15, the concept introduces a unique three-seat layout within a three-door cabin configuration. The layout promotes passenger luxury, flexibility, and personalization. A standout feature includes the swiveling passenger seat, which can move between Co-pilot, Standard, and Relax modes. Storage spaces are integrated innovatively into the cabin floor and boot, with the latter transforming into a tailgate party setup featuring seating and a retractable mini-bar.

The interior showcases a balance of physical craftsmanship and digital adaptability. The dashboard offers 'Magical Fusion', blending seamlessly between a digital display and a wooden veneer surface. A centerpiece dubbed the “Mechanical Marvel” combines analog function with digital lighting to display directional and powertrain information.

Sustainable Craftsmanship and British Materials

In collaboration with traditional British suppliers, Bentley has emphasized sustainable luxury through the use of heritage materials and innovative finishes. Highlights include a 100% wool textile by Fox Brothers, silk jacquard from Gainsborough, and 3D-printed titanium accents that reduce weight and material waste. Interior design themes incorporate modern textures like woven metal mesh and light-activated quilting for dynamic, immersive aesthetics.

Bentley’s material and design team has curated four unique cabin themes that represent a future where luxury aligns with ecological responsibility and heritage craftsmanship.

All-Electric Powertrain Vision

The EXP 15 is conceptualized with a fully electric, all-wheel-drive powertrain, designed to deliver the effortless performance, extended range, and fast-charging capabilities that define Bentley’s next-generation touring experience. Although technical specifications have not been disclosed, the EXP 15 represents Bentley’s ambition to combine emotional design with engineering excellence for the electric age.

Looking Ahead

While the EXP 15 is a design study and not a production prototype, it serves a dual role—exploring new automotive forms and engaging customers for feedback. As Bentley transitions toward becoming a fully electric luxury carmaker by 2030, the EXP 15 provides valuable insights into the styling, usability, and experience that future models may embody.

With its roots in history and its vision firmly set on the future, the EXP 15 underscores Bentley’s commitment to redefining sustainable luxury grand touring in the electric era.

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