Bentley Motors Unveils EXP 15 Concept and Opens New Design Studio

Bentley Motors has revealed its latest luxury design vision, the EXP 15 concept, alongside the official opening of its state-of-the-art design studio. This full-scale model encapsulates Bentley’s forward-looking design philosophy while paying tribute to its early 20th-century Grand Tourer legacy. The EXP 15 draws direct inspiration from the iconic 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupe, often referred to as the “Blue Train,” a car linked to the legendary race by then-chairman Woolf Barnato against Le Train Bleu from Cannes to Calais.

The five-meter-plus EXP 15 features a stately upright grille, a long flowing bonnet, and a rearward cabin silhouette that recalls its storied predecessor. Yet it integrates modern surfacing, cutting-edge lighting, and active aerodynamic technologies that root it firmly in the present and point toward the future. Although not intended for production or sale, EXP 15 provides strong indications of Bentley’s future design direction, particularly in anticipation of the brand’s first fully electric vehicle.

Inside, the concept adopts an advanced design process utilizing virtual reality software. This allows customers to explore an array of possible configurations while blending traditional elements such as luxurious seating, a wing-shaped dashboard, and physical controls with futuristic digital components that adapt to the driver’s mood or needs.

The interior is configured uniquely with three seats and three doors, prioritizing exclusivity and comfort. A dedicated storage space accommodates pets or hand luggage, and even the boot transforms into an elegant picnic seating area when stationary.

Materials throughout the cabin are chosen with meticulous care. Traditional and sustainable selections, including a damson ombre wool textile by Fox Brothers, known for their thorn-proof cloth and more than 250 years of English weaving heritage, sit harmoniously alongside ultramodern 3D-printed titanium finishes.

A key element of EXP 15 is its user experience. Designed to behave as a sophisticated conductor and attentive companion, the car showcases Bentley’s blend of analog charm and digital intelligence.

Robin Page, Bentley’s Director of Design, emphasized the significance of concept cars. “The beauty of a concept car is not just to position our new design language, but to test where the market is going,” Page explained. He noted the evolving nature of the luxury sedan segment, contrasting it with the more familiar SUV and GT categories. “This was a chance for us to talk to people and get a feeling.”

Exterior Design Principles: Heritage Meets Innovation

The EXP 15 embodies five foundational design principles that will guide future Bentley models. The first, Upright Elegance, envisions all Bentley front profiles with a gentle vertical curvature, reminiscent of a thoroughbred horse at rest. The second, Iconic Grille, emphasizes the continued presence of the brand’s signature grille, reimagined with LED lighting and digital artistry in a nod to its combustion-era origins.

Endless Bonnet Line, the third principle, echoes the grand proportions of classic Bentleys, extending a seamless line from the bonnet to the rear pillar. In a modern twist, the unused engine space, made possible by the electric powertrain, is repurposed into dual elegant storage compartments that reference the piano-hinged covers of the Gurney Nutting coupe.

The fourth principle, Resting Beast, focuses on the visual balance and musculature of the car, characterized by powerful rear haunches similar to the poised limbs of a big cat. Proportions are finely tuned, with one-third dedicated to the cabin and two-thirds to the body.

Finally, the Prestigious Shield principle defines the expansive rear surface. On the EXP 15, this area integrates the tailgate and supports Bentley’s new winged emblem framed by intricately patterned rear lights inspired by heritage luggage compartments.

Surfacing and Technology: Carved Precision with Digital Poise

EXP 15’s surface treatment is described through three defining traits. Monolithic Presence suggests the car appears sculpted from a single block. Muscular Form creates visual energy and dynamism, while Carved Precision reduces visual weight for clarity without sacrificing substance.

Advanced lighting and aerodynamic features elevate Bentley’s signature diamond motif. Slim vertical and angular LED strips mark the vehicle’s front corners, while a central illuminated spine divides the grille. These motifs are echoed at the rear with 3D-effect lighting and active aerodynamic components including twin roof spoilers and a retractable diffuser.

Interior: A Future Defined by Craftsmanship and Technology

The interior also finds inspiration in the three-seat configuration of Barnato’s original Speed Six coupe, though the layout and execution are distinctly contemporary. One door on the driver’s side offers access to the front and rear seats, while on the passenger side, twin coach doors and a segment of the panoramic roof open upward for effortless entry. The luxurious passenger seat swivels 45 degrees outward, designed to provide dignified egress and the perfect moment for arrival.

This passenger seat can be configured into three modes. Co-pilot places the seat beside the driver. Standard sets it back for a more relaxed posture. Relax mode reclines the seat for additional legroom. In the latter two, a folding Concertina Floor Storage system offers accessible stowage for pets or bags within the footwell.

The boot extends the concept of functional luxury. When opened, it reveals dual seats, an ambient light fixture, and a refrigerator. These features are designed for impromptu yet elegant tailgate experiences.

Interior Design Principles: Emotional Comfort Meets Physical Excellence

Bentley’s five interior design principles begin with Wing Gesture, inspired by the marque’s feathered emblem and shaping the dashboard’s form. Bold Gravitas refers to the confident application of luxurious materials across expansive surfaces, where wood, stone, and metal are celebrated in their natural state.

Cocooning Haven aims to envelop occupants in serene comfort, with features such as a privacy canopy on the passenger seat. Iconic Details encompasses Bentley’s signature interior elements including knurled metalwork, bullseye air vents, and diamond-quilted leather.

The final principle, Magical Fusion, exemplifies Bentley’s ambition to merge physical and digital realms. The dashboard can transform from an infotainment display into a wood-veneered surface. At its center, a horological feature known as the Mechanical Marvel displays data such as travel direction and battery status, or serves as a mesmerizing sculptural piece. “We think people are going to get fed up with a fully digital experience and are pining for mechanical elements,” said Page. “By combining the two, you get the best of both worlds.”

Materials and Colours: Tradition Reimagined

The exterior of EXP 15 is finished in a unique Pallas Gold paint, inspired by nickel trim from the Speed Six. The liquid metal satin finish incorporates a newly developed ultra-thin aluminum pigment that allows radar signals to pass through, making it compatible with modern driver assistance systems. Its high reflectivity also enhances visibility for Lidar detection.

Inside, Bentley’s color and trim team has devised four thematic environments blending traditional and modern materials. One concept uses fine silk jacquard woven by Gainsborough, one of the UK’s oldest mills and a Royal Warrant holder. This historical textile is paired with Acrylic Couture, a woven metal mesh embedded in acrylic that, when backlit, creates stunning visual depth.

Backlit materials also appear behind precision-cut veneers in Bentley’s signature diamond pattern, forming what the brand calls an active 3D quilt. Fox Brothers’ damson wool textile continues to make an appearance here, alongside weight-saving 3D-printed titanium finishes that reduce both mass and production waste.

Conclusion: A Visionary Grand Tourer for a Sustainable Future

EXP 15 is more than a design concept. It is Bentley’s imaginative preview of sustainable, high-performance grand touring. Conceived with a fully electric, all-wheel drive powertrain, the concept anticipates long-range capabilities and fast-charging infrastructure in line with modern Bentley expectations. However, technical specifications remain undisclosed.

While the 1930 Speed Six Gurney Nutting Coupe inspired the emotional core of the EXP 15, the new concept car is far from a retro pastiche. Instead, it offers a glimpse into Bentley’s bold future, where digital sophistication and traditional craftsmanship merge to redefine the Grand Tourer for the 21st century and beyond.