Bentley's electric EXP 15 Concept is out to steal Jaguar's thunder

Bentley has just revealed an ultra-luxurious all-electric grand tourer concept which gives a hint at the brand’s first ever electric model due to arrive next year. Inspired by the past and looking to the future with its swooping roofline, bulging rear wheel arches and striking backlit front grille, the EXP 15 is a lot to take in. Inside is equally avant-garde with three seats, three doors, built-in picnic chairs and a blend of traditional and modern design elements.
• The EXP 15 is Bentley’s electric debut signalling what future models will look like • With a new logo on the front, a bold illuminated front grille and a space-age interior it’s a statement about where Bentley is going next • No word on range, but Bentley says this five-metre giant will be able to cover long distances • Hints at a production-ready electric car due to arrive next year • While you can’t buy the EXP 15, expect the production model to be six figures

Bentley describes the EXP 15 as an “elevated sporting sedan” and it sits in the centre of a body type Venn diagram where saloon, SUV and coupe overlap. The EXP 15 takes inspiration from the 1930 three-seat “Blue Train” Bentley Speed Six which was believed to be the car driven by Woolf Barnato – Bentley’s then company chairman – in a race against Le Train Blue from Canne to Calais. According to the legend Barnato and his Bentley made it back to London before the train had even reached Calais, although it transpires the Speed Six dubbed the “Blue Train” wasn’t the actual car used for the journey. Despite this, Bentley has been heavily influenced by the sweeping coupe lines of the 1930s car at the rear, while at the front the EXP 15 makes a thoroughly modern statement with an enormous illuminated front grille. This is the first car to sport Bentley’s recently updated iconic ‘Winged B’ logo and a new glowing ‘Flying B’ on the bonnet. Unusually the car only had three doors with one at the back opening on its rear hinges – like the 2007 generation of the Mini Clubman. Bentley has also painted the EXP 15 in a special satin paintwork made with ultra-thin aluminium pigment which allows radar safety features to penetrate through it while also making the car more visible to Lidar systems.

Inside the EXP 15 continues to put a futuristic twist on the foundations laid by the “Blue Train”. Just like the Speed Six, the EXP 15 only has three main seats; there are two seats in the back with just the driving seat up front. Where you’d usually find a front passenger seat, instead there’s room for extra luggage, a dog bed, or to move the rear seat forward and rotate it, helping you to make a more graceful entry or exit. For keen picnickers, Bentley has also provided two smaller seats you can fold out in the boot. The centre console which features a table lamp and fridge can then slide back so you can enjoy the perfect alfresco dining experience. Bentley describes the interior as a “Cocooning Haven”, and it has tried to balance the physical and digital features accordingly. Rather than having the traditional rotating dashboard to hide away the infotainment scream, the EXP 15 allows you to simply turn off the infotainment screen to reveal a wood veneer underneath. Meanwhile, more conventional Bentley design cues remain with the physical gear selector, diamond-quilted seats and circular air vents. Bentley says the interior was created using virtual reality software to bring it to life, a sign of how customers could configure their cars in future.

As this is just a concept, Bentley hasn’t shared any information about power, batteries or range beyond confirming the new electric model with have a long range, convenient charging speeds and it will be all-wheel drive.

The EXP 15 will not be available to buy, though it does hint at what we can expect from the first production all-electric Bentley due next year.

Last year Bentley updated the Continental GT and the Flying Spur by introduced a hybrid V8 powertrain. When it comes to new models, we will have wait for 2026 for the production ready electric Bentley to arrive.

The Rolls-Royce Spectre is the most obvious competitor to a future electric Bentley. However, with Bentley’s Head of Exterior Design, Domen Rucigaj, describing the rear of the EXP 15 as “just like the rounded shape of the bent upper legs of a big cat”, we can’t help comparing it to another large feline: the Jaguar Type 00 concept. Both concepts push the boundaries showing us what an ultra-luxurious electrified future might look like, and we look forward to seeing the production models they inspire.