Bentley EXP 15: A Conceptual Mirror from Past to Future
Bentley has unveiled its latest vision concept, the EXP 15, at its newly opened design studio in Crewe—a vehicle that aims to bridge the brand’s century-old “Blue Train” legacy with a new era of electric luxury. But despite the ambitious rhetoric, the overall impression feels familiar: another high-end collector’s showcase, designed more to gauge reaction than to promise anything concrete.
The EXP 15 won’t enter production, but it’s pitched as a conceptual precursor to Bentley’s first fully electric model, slated for 2026. Its design draws heavily from the 1930 Speed Six Gurney Nutting coupé, modernized for 21st-century tastes with an elongated “endless bonnet,” tall grille, recessed cabin, and sculpted rear haunches. The classic forms are echoed just enough to stay within the comfort zone of Bentley’s traditionally conservative clientele.
Inside, the emphasis is on “virtual luxury,” with a three-seat layout, rotating and adjustable chairs, and a material mix that spans from 250-year-old Fox Brothers wool to 3D-printed titanium finishes. While the notion of “active 3D quilting” sounds intriguing, the interior seems aimed more at trend researchers than actual customers. Bentley’s boldest UX innovation appears to be a glass panel that slides beneath wood trim—a high-end twist on the brand’s existing rotating dashboard.
The design language follows five principles, including “Monolithic Presence” and “Resting Predator.” Aerodynamic flourishes such as active rear spoilers and light-casting stencils add a theatrical touch, but nothing unseen before.
Technically, the details are vague. All we know is that it’s an all-wheel-drive electric grand tourer—a safe, generalized description with no hard data. It’s clear Bentley isn’t offering a revolution or radical new direction here, but rather a mild cocktail of deconstructed nostalgia and cautious digitalization.
In essence, the Bentley EXP 15 is a design exercise—a mood piece hinting at the aesthetic direction of future models. It’s not a promise or a technological milestone, but a visual stance. Bentley, standing in front of the future, holding up a mirror.
