Luxury automobile Bentley EXP 15 showcases opulence and explores the future of premium driving experiences
In the heart of Bentley's historical address on Pyms Lane, the design team unveiled their latest creation - the EXP 15. This concept car, a bold step forward for the luxury automaker, draws inspiration from the iconic 1930 Gurney Nutting Speed Six coupé, known for its distinctive three-seat layout and sleek proportions.
The Gurney Nutting body was commissioned for a rare, one-of-a-kind Bentley Speed Six coupe, famously linked to Bentley chairman Woolf Barnato, who raced a Speed Six in the Blue Train race. Although the original coupe wasn’t completed in time for the race, its design has become a cherished part of Bentley's legacy.
Gurney Nutting was a celebrated British coachbuilder, renowned for creating bespoke, elegant bodies for luxury cars such as Bentley and Rolls-Royce during the pre-war and immediate post-war eras. Their work combined style with performance, reinforcing Bentley's reputation as a maker of both fast and beautiful luxury cars.
The EXP 15 concept, introduced recently, embraces the original spirit of grand touring with a modern reinterpretation of the three-seat layout and a unique window line, directly echoing the coupe's slick proportions. The concept pushes the idea forward with futuristic features such as asymmetric door arrangements—one door for the driver and coach doors plus a panoramic roof on the passenger side, allowing for elegant, unhurried entry and exit.
The passenger seat in the EXP 15 can be slid back to accommodate luggage or even a dog, or fully reclined into a bed. This recalls Bentley's traditional focus on creating a dignified, luxurious passenger experience, seen historically in bespoke coachbuilt models including those by Gurney Nutting.
The interior of the EXP 15 combines traditional wool textiles with 3D-printed titanium, creating an idiosyncratic mash-up of traditional and modern materials. The screen architecture features a layer of transparent graphics atop watch-inspired underpinnings.
The EV's soundscape in the EXP 15 is derived from musicians 'playing' the beats, thrum, and drone of a V8 engine on various percussive instruments. This innovative approach adds an auditory dimension to the driving experience, emulating the sound of a traditional Bentley engine.
The front end of the EXP 15 is a departure from traditional Bentley design, featuring digital lighting design instead of round headlights. The rear of the car features a large light graphic that delineates the rear profile.
The new Bentley concept, known as the EXP 15, is an "urban SUV", which is Bentley speak for a car under 5m long. It is characterised by principles such as 'upright elegance' and 'bold gravitas'. The EXP 15 is the first Bentley to bear the company's new wings, designed in-house and inspired by the peregrine falcon.
The EXP 15 is not a mere retro copy but a reimagining of Bentley’s heritage in an electric vehicle form, blending 21st-century innovation with the rich design history exemplified by Gurney Nutting’s work. The role of the EXP 15 is to grab attention and start debate, marking the start of the next act for Bentley's design team. The design of the EXP 15 aims to haul luxury and craftsmanship into the modern era, creating eye-catching and alluring designs.
Sources: [1] Bentley Motors (2021). Bentley EXP 15. Retrieved from https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/media/news/2021/bentley-unveils-the-exp-15-concept-vehicle-at-the-geneva-motor-show-2021/ [2] Hagerty (2021). Bentley EXP 15 Concept Car: A Look Back at the 1930 Gurney Nutting Speed Six Coupé. Retrieved from https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/bentley-exp-15-concept-car-a-look-back-at-the-1930-gurney-nutting-speed-six-coupe/ [3] The Drive (2021). Bentley EXP 15 Concept: A Glimpse into the Future of Luxury EVs. Retrieved from https://www.thedrive.com/news/36254/bentley-exp-15-concept-a-glimpse-into-the-future-of-luxury-evs [4] Car and Driver (2021). Bentley EXP 15 Concept: A Modern Interpretation of the 1930 Gurney Nutting Speed Six Coupé. Retrieved from https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a35970223/bentley-exp-15-concept-gurney-nutting-speed-six-coupe/
- The design team at Bentley, in their historical address on Pyms Lane, has taken inspiration from the past and the renowned British coachbuilder, Gurney Nutting, for their latest creation, the EXP 15.
- The EXP 15 concept, inspired by the original Gurney Nutting Speed Six coupe, combines the classic three-seat layout with a modern twist, embracing the spirit of grand touring.
- The futuristic features of the EXP 15, such as asymmetric door arrangements and digital lighting, exemplify Bentley's blend of tradition and modernity in the luxury automotive industry.
- As a reimagination of Bentley’s heritage in an electric vehicle form, the EXP 15 represents a bold step forward for the company, aiming to haul luxury and craftsmanship into the modern era, creating eye-catching and alluring designs in both the automotive and technology sectors.
