BENTLEY has given fans a first look at its new era with the unveiling of a stylish concept car that’s said to preview the future direction of the brand’s design and technology.
The British car brand, headquartered in Crewe, Cheshire, but under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, has shown off the EXP 15 which blends elements of a saloon, SUV and grand tourer.
Bentley have unveiled the EXP 15 concept car – whih blends elements of a saloon, SUV and GT[/caption]
The stylish concept car that’s said to preview the future direction of the brand’s design and technology[/caption]
Bentley’s design director says the brand aims to modernise their design language[/caption]
The car is the heiht of luxury includes a champagne cooler, picnic seats and a bespoke dog carrier[/caption]
Headlined as their first electric vehicle, the motor is an urban SUV that’s set to launch next year – and also includes their bold, new logo.
According to Autocar, the EXP 12 is seen as a potential successor to the Mulsanne flagship, which was retired in 2020, and will sit beneath the Bentayga in their line-up.
Bentley‘s design director, Robin Page, has said he aims to modernise the company’s design language – all the while staying true to its heritage.
“It’s still in that linear line of Bentleys, but it’s a fresh start – a new design language,” said Page.
“The point is to make a bit of a bang: next chapter.
“It’s also given us a chance to try a new, modern design language – more monolithic, stronger and cleaner in its surfaces and not too over-complicated.”
Bentley aims to address changing customer preferences, which has included a growing demand for elevated seating positions and SUV-like designs.
The EXP 15 achieves this with a high-riding saloon that offers a fresh alternative to traditional luxury saloons, showcasing Bentley’s five overarching design themes.
These five themes draw inspiration from one of Bentley’s earliest and most iconic GT cars: the 1928 Speed Six.
The first theme, upright elegance, is evident in the bold and imposing front end, a departure from the low-slung, aerodynamic fronts typically seen on modern electric vehicles.
At the rear, the prestigious shield introduces a striking light signature inspired by Bentley’s iconic ‘B’ emblem and pays homage to the luggage carriers of vintage Bentleys, seamlessly blending tradition with modern innovation.
The car’s overall proportions evoke the resting beast, likened to a tiger poised with latent power in its muscular shoulders and rear arches, conveying strength and readiness.
Lastly, the grille as art reimagines Bentley’s signature front grille as a decorative centrepiece, adorned with intricate diamond motifs and crystal-like LED lighting that exudes elegance and innovation.
Together, these themes represent a bold evolution in Bentley’s design philosophy, honouring its heritage while paving the way for a progressive and modern identity.
LUXURY TOUCHES
Sporting a three-seat layout, with the nearside passenger seat sliding and rotating for elegance, the EXP 15 features the very best in luxury that you’d come to expect from Bentley.
Our customers are basically telling us that 300-350 miles is that sweet spot. Beyond that, they’ll use the private jet
Robin Page, Bentley’s design director
This includes a champagne cooler, picnic seats and a bespoke dog carrier.
The car even features a central roof section that opens out to allow passengers to stand before exiting, creating an “art of arriving” experience, while the dashboard moves away from full digitalisation, with analogue controls and a rotating physical dial for key functions.
In terms of functionality, Bentley isn’t seeking to build the best EV in terms of mechanics – with a range set between 300-350 miles.
Page added: “We’re finding that there’s a sweet spot in terms of range.
“Our customers are basically telling us that 300-350 miles is that sweet spot. Beyond that, they’ll use the private jet.”
While the EXP 15 is primarily a design showcase, its viable package and platform mean it could go into production.
Bentley is set to monitor market reactions to determine whether a high-riding saloon could succeed alongside its Flying Spur and other models.
NEW LOOK
Earlier this month, Bentley also unveiled a simplified version of its familiar “Winged B” logo, marking only the fourth time they’ve rebranded their look since they were founded,
Much like the look of their concept car, the new logo is said to headline a “new era of Bentley design language”.
The company’s original logo was designed in 1919 and has only been updated three times since – in 1931, during the 1990s and in 2002.
The latest iteration has been dubbed “the biggest change to the instantly recognisable mark in more than a century of history“.
The core elements of the winged B emblem remain the same, but eagle-eyed fans will spot the wings have been simplified and stylised with a diamond pattern.
Furthermore, the feathers below the central B have been removed entirely for the first time.
According to the design team, the sharper shape is “reminiscent of the angled wings of a Peregrine Falcon”.
Bentley have also recently debuted their new logo, with a change to the design’s wings[/caption]
