- Bentley debuted the brand new EXP 15 idea that hints on the styling route for his or her first EV.
- The examine is a lifted three-door sedan with three seats and an built-in canine mattress.
- The manufacturing EV can be a Luxurious City SUV constructed on the Cayenne Electrical platform.
Bentley is gearing as much as introduce their first electrical car in 2026 they usually’re previewing its styling language with the brand new EXP 15 idea. It’s an enormous departure for the model and it’s billed as an “elevated sporting sedan.”
Whereas we weren’t anticipating Bentley to comply with within the footsteps of the Toyota Crown and Volvo S60 Cross Nation, the EXP 15 is an element coupe, half sedan, and half crossover. It’s an uncommon mixture, however Bentley Design Director Robin Web page provided some context.
Extra: Bentley’s First EV Caught Hiding Under Porsche Cayenne Disguise
“It’s clear that SUVs are a rising section and we perceive the GT market – by means of 4 generations of the Continental GT – however the trickiest section is the sedan as a result of it’s altering,” he defined. “Some clients need a basic ‘three-box’ sedan form, others a ‘one-box’ design, and others once more one thing extra elevated. So this was an opportunity for us to speak to folks and get a sense.”
A New Form for the Model
They’ll probably get loads of suggestions because the ensuing idea doesn’t even resemble a Bentley. As a substitute, it’s an nameless edgy blob that appears half Volvo with a dash of Jaguar.
That’s most likely not what designers had been going for, however the EXP 15 has an Upright Magnificence entrance finish, which is dominated by a big enclosed grille. The latter makes use of lights to imitate the looks of a conventional grille, whereas additionally turning the pointless part right into a “piece of digital artwork.”
Elsewhere, there are vertical headlights and Bentley’s new winged emblem. They’re joined by an illuminated hood decoration in addition to a frunk, which is accessed by way of “piano-style hinged engine covers.”
Shifting additional again, we will see a comparatively flat hood that meets rakish black A-pillars. They circulate right into a sloping black roof, which contrasts with the shimmering silver-gold physique.
The idea has streamlined bodywork that mixes taut surfaces with edgy traces and rounded wheel arches. They’re joined by muscular rear haunches and a slender greenhouse. We are able to additionally see aerodynamically optimized wheels and a substantial quantity of floor clearance.
The EXP 15 is an oddity on account of its three-door association, which has a single door on the driving force’s facet in addition to two doorways on the passenger facet. Much more surprisingly, there are two entrance doorways regardless of the automobile solely having one entrance seat.
The rear finish is much less offensive, however a tad generic apart from two energetic spoilers which can be mounted onto the roof. They’re joined by an energetic diffuser and classy taillights, which vaguely recall Dodge’s racetrack design.
Bentley didn’t go into many specifics, however confirmed the idea is over 196.9 inches (5,000 mm) lengthy. This means it could possibly be smaller than the Flying Spur, which clocks in at 209.3 inches (5,316 mm).
Whereas the manufacturing EV can be a far cry from the idea, Bentley mentioned it “supplies hints to the design” of future fashions. They prompt we will count on extra fashionable and sculpted bodywork in addition to efforts to scale back “visible weight.”
An Odd And Versatile Inside
The weirdness continues inside because the EXP 15 has a three-seat inside with “modern in-cabin storage for treasured pets and/or hand baggage.” As a part of this effort, Bentley developed a canine mattress that may be strapped the place the entrance passenger seat would usually reside. Drivers may choose to have two suitcases subsequent to them, presumably filled with money.
The quirkiness doesn’t finish there because the passenger-side seat will be moved into three totally different positions. There’s the Customary rear place, a reclined Chill out mode, and a Co-Pilot mode that sees the seat moved up alongside the driving force. The seat may swivel 45 levels outwards to enhance entry and egress.
Bentley famous there’s loads of legroom in rear-mounted seating positions because of the lack of a entrance passenger seat. The corporate additionally talked about a Concertina Ground Storage system, which has a footrest that folds downward into the ground when not in use.
Placing the seats apart, there’s a ‘Wing Gesture’ dashboard that may act as a full-width digital show. It encompasses a slender digital instrument cluster and an infotainment system that’s represented as a “Mechanical Marvel.” The latter is billed as a “clock-like gadget with a number of movable and illuminated fingers … which might point out the automobile’s route of journey, the state of its electrical cost and far more.” They’re joined by a decrease passenger facet show, which feels misplaced because of the lack of a entrance passenger seat.
Curiously, the shows will be switched off to disclose a veneered wooden floor that’s seen beneath their glass. That isn’t the one cool contact as we will see a trendy steering wheel and a few avant-garde switchgear as Web page mentioned, “We expect individuals are going to get fed up with a totally digital expertise and are pining for bodily mechanical parts too.”
Bentley didn’t say a lot in regards to the rear seats, however they’re separated by a console that has an built-in show in addition to a trendy lamp. The console additionally homes a fridge and devoted controls.
On condition that the idea is an element crossover, the EXP 15 has a spacious boot that may double as an upmarket picnic space. A part of the liftgate folds right down to reveal two small seats that add some a lot wanted cushioning. The rear lamp and fridge from the console may slide again to the boot for a chic night underneath the celebrities.
The Electrical Bentley
Whereas the manufacturing mannequin is coming subsequent yr, the corporate was coy on powertrain particulars. Nevertheless, the ultra-luxury model mentioned the idea was “conceived as having a fully-electric, all-wheel drive powertrain with an extended vary and recharging speeds commensurate with the comfort clients have come to count on of a Bentley.”
That’s not a lot to go on, however Bentley teased their EV in 2024 and billed it as a “Luxurious City SUV.” It should solely incorporate cues from the EXP 15 because the manufacturing mannequin could have so much in frequent with the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric.
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