Bentley’ experimental concept is over five metres long, seats three inside, and still has a massive bonnet despite being fully electric.
Electric Cars
Bentley has revealed the EXP 15 concept electric vehicle, which gives our best idea yet of what the brand’s first EV might look like.
The EXP 15 concept, which is not drivable and, has room for three inside and is described as being a blend of a sedan, SUV and grand tourer.
The modern design also looks to harness Bentley’s own rich automotive heritage, which has for a long time been centred around high-capacity internal combustion engines accommodated by a large engine bay.
However, unlike many new electric car designs, Bentley is keeping a large bonneted-style area in front of the cabin – despite having no engine – and a flat, upright frontal design.
Much of the traditional chromework along the front and sides has been ditched in favour of intricate lighting reflective glass, as well as the grille.
The EXP 15 also debuts a new design for the Bentley logo.
While the EXP 15 isn’t going to directly represent what we can expect in a production electric car from Bentley, we can expect a range of design elements – including the wide haunches, flat front and bonnet-dominated design – to appear in future production models.
The Bentley EXP 15 could also point to a future interpretation of Bentley sedans, which have been overtaken in popularity by SUVs and grand tourers.
Robin Page, Director of Design at Bentley, told Drive the design of the EXP 15 is partly about exploring whether future sedans could take a different design or ride height.
“The sedan is the interesting one, because it’s a bit uncertain in which direction it’s going.” Page explained.
“That’s what we want to test the water of, do people still want a low sedan, do they want a three-box (design)? Do they want a two-box shape (more like an SUV)?”
“Do they want something more elevated, that’s closer to an SUV? It’s really interesting to gauge that kind of situation of what customers prefer.”
While Bentley used various iterations of a 6.75-litre petrol V8 for decades, the British luxury car brand added Volkswagen-sourced V8 and W12 engines during the early 2000s with the German automotive giant took ownership.
Bentley has more recently adopted V6 and V8 plug-in hybrid powertrains, and has committed to going fully electric by 2035.
Bentley’s first fully electric model is due to be revealed in late 2026, before being available for purchase in 2027.
Electric Cars Guide
Sam Purcell has been writing about cars, four-wheel driving and camping since 2013, and obsessed with anything that goes brum-brum longer than he can remember. Sam joined the team at CarAdvice/Drive as the off-road Editor in 2018, after cutting his teeth at Unsealed 4X4 and Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures. Off-road writer of the Year, Winner - Sam Purcell
