Bentley has unveiled the EXP 15, its first electric car, as a “luxury vision concept” with a launch planned for 2027.
The car, inspired by Bentley’s 1930 Blue Train with some modern twists, is the first designed by the brand’s new design director, Robin Page.
While Bentley cars aren’t exactly known for subtlety, the rectangular grille on the front of the vehicle stood out—especially since electric cars don’t require a grille.
Knowing that, Bentley still decided to include it and even called the EXP 15’s front “iconic.” According to the brand, despite the vehicle’s shift to electric, the grille remains important to the “historic architecture of the brand’s vehicle.”
“Grilles used to be solely for channeling air to the combustion engine at the front of the car. But now, with the evolution of lighting technology, we have the opportunity to create a digital work of art. So, the grille continues to be our iconic front element,” Page explained.
The EXP 15’s long hood, rear cabin, and sloping roof lines were also inspired by the Blue Train. Inside, it features a 1+2 seating layout, while the double doors and part of the panoramic roof open upward for easier exit.
“The seat can rotate, and you exit completely relaxed, without having to squeeze out of the car like you do in some supercars,” explained Darren Day, Bentley’s head of interior design.
“You simply step out with dignity—and it’s the perfect shot for Instagram. If you look at the car we built for Her Majesty the Queen, it was always designed around the door opening and the ‘art of arrival.’”
As for technology, Bentley created a blend of its traditional physical features and digital functions, incorporating elements like the existing rotating dashboard, which transforms into a split panel when the touchscreen isn’t needed.
The EXP 15’s dashboard can be used for various infotainment functions but can also be turned off completely to reveal a wooden surface beneath the glass.
“We believe people will grow tired of a fully digital experience and will also crave mechanical, physical elements. By combining both, you get the best of both worlds. It’s almost like wearing a beautiful analog watch on one wrist and a digital watch on the other,” said Page.
Bentley stated that the EXP 15 was conceived with “an electric powertrain, all-wheel drive, long range, and charging speeds compatible with the level of convenience Bentley customers expect.”
Photo and video: Bentley. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
