Bentley EXP 15 Concept: A Futuristic Take on Timeless Luxury

Bentley, the British marque synonymous with handcrafted luxury and performance, has revealed a revolutionary concept vehicle: the EXP 15. This concept marks the brand’s boldest step yet into the electric era, combining a century of heritage with bleeding-edge innovation. As Bentley prepares to transition into a fully electric brand, the EXP 15 offers an extraordinary glimpse into what luxury, design, and driving pleasure will look like in the near future.

Unveiled as part of the brand’s future design language, the EXP 15 showcases futuristic tech, lavish materials, and a silhouette that captures Bentley’s historic spirit. From asymmetric seating to dynamic lighting elements, the car aims to reshape perceptions of electric vehicles not as sterile machines but as deeply human, luxurious experiences.

Gallery: Bentley EXP 15

A Legacy Reimagined: The EXP 15 Design Philosophy

The design of the EXP 15 pays homage to one of Bentley’s most iconic vehicles—the 1930 Speed Six “Blue Train” coupe. Drawing direct inspiration from this historic grand tourer, the EXP 15 features a long, uninterrupted bonnet line, sweeping rear curves, and an upright grille. However, these classic elements are reinterpreted through the lens of modern minimalism and advanced aerodynamics.

The front grille, traditionally a large and dominating feature of Bentley models, is transformed into a backlit digital artwork that serves both form and function. Instead of being air-fed like internal combustion engines, the new grille illuminates with LED pixels and redefines the Bentley face for the electric era. This visual element is both a tribute to the brand’s past and a bold signal toward its future.

Asymmetrical Luxury: The Interior Layout

One of the most radical features of the EXP 15 is its unique 3-seat layout. Instead of following the conventional 2+2 or 5-seat configurations found in most luxury vehicles, Bentley has designed an asymmetrical cabin that emphasizes personalization and comfort.

On the driver’s side, the vehicle appears traditional with a long door and two seats—one in the front and a second in the rear. On the passenger’s side, however, there’s a dual-door setup with a front and a coach-style rear door, allowing for easy entry into a highly adjustable lounge seat. This seat can swivel, recline, and slide, effectively transforming the interior into a mobile relaxation space. Bentley designed this feature not only for visual drama but to elevate the rear passenger experience to that of first-class air travel.

This asymmetric layout also supports another new Bentley goal: increased accessibility and comfort for pets, which are often part of luxury lifestyles. The rotating lounge seat, the wide-opening rear doors, and the flat floor offer easy ingress and egress for both passengers and their furry companions.

Craftsmanship Elevated: Sustainable and Traditional Materials

While many concept cars focus on high-tech flourishes, the EXP 15 blends old-world craftsmanship with new-world materials. Bentley has used Fox Brothers wool for seat coverings, a British textile house with over 250 years of history. This wool is dyed in deep, rich ombré tones, offering both softness and sustainability.

Adding to this opulence is Gainsborough silk jacquard, a highly detailed weave found in high-end interiors and royal palaces. Complementing these tactile materials are 3D-printed titanium accents, translucent acrylic surfaces with etched lighting elements, and backlit wood veneer panels that glow through laser-cut diamond patterns.

This fusion of heritage craftsmanship with modern techniques reflects Bentley’s commitment to sustainable luxury. Every element in the cabin is carefully sourced and engineered for minimal environmental impact while maintaining the highest aesthetic standards.

Technology Meets Tradition: The Dashboard and Interface

The EXP 15 continues Bentley’s tradition of rotating displays with a fresh twist. Rather than a single static screen, the dashboard rotates between three modes: a minimalist wood veneer, a customizable digital screen, and an analog-style mechanical gauge cluster.

This analog unit is one of the standout innovations in the vehicle. It features a physical dial assembly with intricate clockwork mechanisms that rise and rotate, showing vital information like battery status, compass direction, and speed. It’s a statement piece that blends the tactile joy of mechanics with the precision of modern tech.

Other switches and controls in the cabin retain a tactile, metallic feel. Bentley has chosen to resist the full digitization of the cockpit, instead opting for physical dials and buttons that deliver a satisfying response to user input. It’s a departure from the screen-heavy interiors of many EVs and offers a more immersive and driver-centric experience.

Performance Without Noise: What Powers the EXP 15?

While Bentley has not released detailed specifications for the EXP 15’s powertrain, it is known that the vehicle is fully electric and built on the brand’s upcoming all-electric platform. Expectations are high for impressive range capabilities, ultra-fast charging, and dynamic all-wheel drive performance.

Bentley has confirmed that the first production EV, which will draw inspiration from the EXP 15, is set to arrive by 2026. This vehicle will likely offer the kind of long-range driving expected of a Bentley grand tourer, along with sportscar-level acceleration and handling.

Though no figures have been announced, industry experts speculate a dual-motor setup with over 600 horsepower and a battery pack that could support up to 300–400 miles of range on a full charge. Fast charging will also be critical, likely enabling 80% charge in under 20 minutes using high-voltage DC charging.

Grand Touring Redefined: Comfort On the Move

The Bentley EXP 15 is more than a showcase of materials and screens—it’s a holistic vision of travel in the electric age. The car includes a picnic-tailgate mode where the rear seats flip outward, and a hidden center console extends outward to reveal a champagne cooler and ambient lighting. These touches are designed to turn a scenic stop into a luxurious rest experience.

Bentley envisions the EXP 15 as a travel companion, not just a car. Every element, from the lighting and sound to the materials and interactions, is curated to deliver an emotional, relaxing experience whether you’re in motion or parked beside a lake.

Chart: Comparing the EXP 15 vs. Current Bentley GT Models

Feature	Bentley Continental GT	Bentley EXP 15 Concept
Powertrain	W12 / V8 ICE	Fully Electric
Drive Type	AWD	eAWD (Expected)
Seating Configuration	2+2	3-Seat Asymmetric
Grille	Classic Chrome Mesh	Backlit Digital Artwork
Dashboard Display	Rotating Digital/Analog	Mechanical + Digital Hybrid
Interior Materials	Leather, Veneer	Wool, Silk, Titanium
Production Year	Current	Concept (2026+ Expected)

The Future of Bentley: A Roadmap Ahead

The EXP 15 isn’t just a concept—it’s a roadmap. Bentley aims to become a fully electric brand by 2030, and the EXP 15 represents how the company will blend its legacy with modern sustainability. The first production EV in 2026 will borrow heavily from this concept, both in design philosophy and interior materials.

As more luxury automakers enter the EV space, Bentley’s approach remains distinct. It focuses less on screen size or 0–60 times and more on delivering an emotional, tactile, and elegant driving experience. The EXP 15 doesn’t just show us what a Bentley will look like in the future—it shows us how it will feel.

Read: 2025 BMW X5 M Competition: The Bold New Face of Luxury Performance SUVs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the Bentley EXP 15 Concept?
The EXP 15 is a design study by Bentley showcasing the brand’s future design language and electric mobility vision. It blends heritage design with futuristic technology and sustainable luxury.

Q2: Is the EXP 15 a production model?
No, the EXP 15 is a concept car. However, many elements from this concept will likely be seen in Bentley’s first electric production model expected in 2026.

Q3: What makes the EXP 15 unique?
Its asymmetric three-seat layout, backlit digital grille, rotating mechanical dashboard, and sustainable interior materials make the EXP 15 a standout in the luxury EV segment.

Q4: What is the expected range and power output?
Although no official figures are released, it’s expected the production version will offer 300–400 miles of range and dual-motor all-wheel drive performance with 600+ hp.

Q5: When will Bentley go fully electric?
Bentley has announced plans to become an all-electric brand by 2030 as part of its Beyond100 strategy.