Bentley EXP 15 Concept: A 3-Seat, 3-Door Sneak Peek at a Production Bentley EV
Though Bentley pulled back on its full-on EV transition plans last year, it still plans to reveal its very first, fully electric production car next year and begin selling it the year after that. The Bentley EXP 15 concept is the latest look we have at (some of) what to expect.
With three doors and three seats—one of which can slide forward and back, as well as recline—it’s likely much of what you see on the EXP 15 won’t make it to production. But the Bentley-ish design elements are all there, inside and out, and they show the brand has a utility lifestyle in mind.
It Still Looks Like a Bentley
Inspiration for the EXP 15 came from the three-seater 1930 Bentley Speed Six. Approach the concept and it certainly has all the hallmarks of a production Bentley sedan. A long hood, raked windshield, and fastback silhouette all evoke a sense of forward momentum (and look vaguely similar to the Rolls-Royce Spectre electric coupe…). It’s also huge: At more than 197 inches long, it’s longer than a Kia Telluride.
Because it previews a BEV, however, the front grille no longer has to be quite as functional, so designers felt they could let loose a bit more here. The bifurcated front plane wears a diamond pattern that recalls a seat pattern design.
Two Bentley logos sit atop it, with the winged “B” meant as a homage of the original 1919 hood ornament. Flanking the front fascia is are four slim light strips that make up the headlights.
Air vents behind the front wheels channel airflow, and the diamond-patterned taillight design is surprisingly modest compared to the highly textured front end. Dual active spoilers and a single diffuser on the car’s underside further improve aerodynamics—should the concept actually see any action.
Interestingly, the paint—Pallas Gold—is a super thin aluminum pigment that can allegedly be coated over radar sensors without a detriment to their signal quality. The paint is also highly reflective enough that it can be “seen” by other vehicles’ lidar systems.
A Pair of Threes
Without an engine taking up space under the long hood, Bentley says there are two storage compartments under there that can be accessed via hinged engine covers, which implies a flat-ish, low-slung skateboard EV platform.
