Bentley has shown off its first electric vehicle (EV) concept with the wild and adventurous EXP 15 ‘elevated sporting sedan’, a preview of the look of upcoming showroom EVs from the automaker.
The company revealed the 5.4m-long behemoth as a full-size ‘model’ of its EV design direction, with the brand poised to introduce its first production EV to showrooms in 2026 after several delays.
In 2024, then-CEO Adrian Hallmark – who has since left to head Aston Martin – confirmed Bentley plans to continue its plug-in hybrid models alongside EVs after its previous goal to sell EVs only by 2030 as part of its ‘Beyond 100′ strategy was wound back.
There was no news on the electric powertrain underneath the EXP 15’s skin, but the company said the concept was “conceived as having a fully electric, all-wheel drive powertrain with a long range and recharging speeds”.
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Despite its description as a sedan, the EXP 15 has only three doors – and three seats – with a body blending the elements of a traditional sedan, GT coupe and blocky, upright styling with the ride height of an SUV.
It’s a radical departure from the design of the V8 plug-in hybrid powered Flying Spur sedan in the current Bentley lineup.
It follows a similarly bold design preview from Jaguar last year in the shape of the Type 00 concept, with the Indian-owned British brand looking to push upmarket onto Bentley’s turf.
“The beauty of a concept car is not just to position our new design language, but to test where the market’s going,” said Bentley design director Robin Page.
“It’s clear that SUVs are a growing segment and we understand the GT market – through four generations of the Continental GT – but the trickiest segment is the sedan because it’s changing.
“Some customers want a classic ‘three-box’ sedan shape, others a ‘one-box’ design, and others again something more elevated. So this was a chance for us to talk to people and get a feeling.”
Despite being future facing, Bentley says the shape of the EXP 15 includes nods to classic models from its 106-year history.
The imposing upright front grille, long ‘endless’ bonnet and rearward positioned cabin were inspired by the ‘Blue Train’ – the nickname for the 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupe.
The headlights are positioned inside the concept’s wheel arches to define the car’s edges, with four ultra-slim strips framing the front grille which is split by an illuminated Bentley emblem.
The automaker said the front grille – while not necessary in an EV – will remain as an important brand signifier for Bentley.
“Grilles used to be all about getting air to the combustion engine through the front of the car. But now with light technology changing we have an opportunity to create a piece of digital art. So the grille stays as our iconic front,” said Mr Page.
With no internal combustion engine below it, the space under the long ‘endless’ bonnet has been repurposed for storage, accessed by traditional piano-hinged ‘engine covers’.
The ‘endless bonnet line’ is carried along the side of the vehicle all the way to the rear, with the overall design cut into two-thirds body, one-third cabin for muscular proportions and ‘monolithic presence’.
At the rear, the large, clean surfaces follow Bentley tradition and help create the ‘resting beast’ stance – which the automaker describes as ‘resting cat hind legs’ – with a large Bentley logo.
The integrated rear luggage compartment opens to offer two small seats, an ‘atmospheric’ lamp and cold drinks fridge which can slide back from the rear seats.
The classic exterior elements are combined with ‘tensioned’ bodywork and ‘carved precision’ with its Pallas Gold exterior paint including a new aluminium pigment with white-gold highlights.
The decision to offer only three seats – despite room for four or five occupants – was made “to afford greater luxury in transit for the special few and includes innovative in-cabin storage for treasured pets and/or hand luggage as well” according to a statement from Bentley.
“We were influenced by the idea of a three-seat car with a unique window line and super slick proportions used for grand tours,” said Darren Day, Bentley head of interior design.
With a single door on the driver’s side, twin-coach doors on the passenger side allow access for both passengers, with the layout essentially two rear seats – and no front passenger seat.
The passenger-side seat is designed to swivel 45-degrees for easy access to the rear to allow the other passenger to sit in the chair behind the driver.
“The seat can rotate, and you step out, totally unflustered, not trying to clamber out of the car like you see with some supercars … You just get out with dignity and the Instagram shot is perfect,” said Mr Day.
Dubbed ‘cocooning haven’, the passenger-side seat can be set in a ‘Standard’ position, more forward ‘Co-Pilot’ alongside the driver like a traditional front seat, or further back in the ‘Relax’ position.
Bentley also says the cabin – which has a mix of natural woods, silk jacquard and woven metal finishes – boasts a mix of physical and digital features and “in some instances merge the two”.
“We think people are going to get fed up with a fully digital experience and are pining for physical mechanical elements too,” said Mr Page.
Like Bentley’s existing ‘rotating dash’, the EXP 15’s full-width digital dash can be turned off and rotated for a wood veneer surface, while there are movable ‘fingers’ showing the state of electric charge and other critical info.
Bentley originally planned to introduce its first EV in 2025 and follow with a new electric model annually until 2030 but – like numerous automakers – has delayed plans based upon market conditions and constantly changing regulations.
In late 2024 it announced its first electric model would be an “urban SUV” to be revealed in 2026, with first customer deliveries in 2027.
Part of the Volkswagen Group, Bentley’s first production model is expected to share much of its electric components with the recently teased electric Porsche Cayenne, due in Australian showrooms in 2026.
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