After more than a century of crafting some of the world’s most prestigious grand tourers, Bentley is reimagining what luxury mobility looks like in an electric future. The EXP 15 Design Vision Concept, unveiled alongside the brand’s new design studio in Crewe, doesn’t just hint at Bentley’s first production EV coming in 2026 but also redefines the very notion of what a luxury sedan should be.
A Radical Departure from Convention
Drawing inspiration from the legendary 1930 Speed Six “Blue Train” that famously outpaced a luxury express train across France nearly a century ago, the EXP 15 translates that spirit of grand touring into a thoroughly modern electric package.
Finished in Pallas Gold liquid metal, the EXP 15 stretches over 16ft long in total and sports an asymmetrical three-door configuration, with a single driver-side door and twin coach doors on the passenger side that incorporate sections of the roof for easier access.
Inside, you’ll find just three seats arranged in a 1+2 configuration, with the passenger-side rear seat capable of swiveling 45 degrees outward and sliding between three positions: standard rear, reclined “Relax” mode, and forward “Co-pilot” positioning. The space where a traditional front passenger seat would sit is now reserved for either your luggage, your laptop bag, or *checks notes* a custom dog bed for your traveling companion.
The rear cargo area doubles as a proper tailgate party setup, complete with deployable leather-upholstered seats, an integrated lamp, and a refrigerated compartment that slides back from the center console.
Technology That Bridges Eras
While the EXP 15’s exterior abandons Bentley’s traditional round headlights for razor-thin vertical LED strips, it retains the brand’s iconic grille, albeit as a “piece of digital art” rather than a functional cooling element. You could say it’s the same reason why a Barbie doll still has a bellybutton.
The interior showcases Bentley’s “Magical Fusion” philosophy, blending physical and digital elements to blend both the futuristic and the tactile. The full-width dashboard can function as a transparent display or switch off to reveal lustrous wood veneer underneath. Behind the center screen sits the “Mechanical Marvel,” a clock-like device with illuminated, movable elements that can indicate everything from direction of travel to the vehicle’s state of charge while tripling as kinetic sculpture.
This balance between high-tech capability and analog beauty extends to the materials, where traditional 100% wool textiles from Fox Brothers (weavers with a history dating over 250 years) nestle alongside 3D-printed titanium accents and backlit panels that echo the grille’s diamond quilt pattern.
Even the paint serves multiple purposes. The striking Pallas Gold finish uses ultra-thin aluminum pigment that allows radar sensors to transmit through it without interfering with safety sensors. Most manufacturers have to leave unsightly black patches where sensors live but Bentley found a way to paint over them without blocking the signal.
Looking Ahead
The EXP 15’s elevated stance and fastback roofline create an intriguing crossover-sedan hybrid that Bentley describes as addressing the “trickiest segment” in luxury automotive. With SUVs dominating sales and traditional sedans evolving rapidly, this concept tests whether customers want classic three-box proportions, one-box designs, or something more elevated entirely.
The answer seems to be the latter. The raised ground clearance gives the EXP 15 a commanding road presence while the sloping roofline maintains the athletic profile that made the Continental GT such a success. Meanwhile, the muscular rear haunches — a signature Bentley design element — bulge outward to express power and presence whether you’re viewing this as a sedan, crossover, or something entirely new.
Spec Sheet
Model: EXP 15 Design Vision Concept
Length: Over 16.4ft
Doors: 3 (asymmetrical configuration)
Seating: 3 seats (1+2 layout)
Powertrain: All-electric, all-wheel drive (specs TBD)
Paint: Pallas Gold liquid metal satin
Special Features: Tailgate seating, dog bed option, rotating dashboard, Mechanical Marvel display
Pricing & Availability
The EXP 15 will never reach production in this exact form. Bentley has been clear that this is purely a design exploration. However, elements from this concept will influence the brand’s first production EV, expected to debut in 2026 as a more conventional luxury SUV. While pricing for that future model hasn’t been announced, expect it to start well above the current Continental GT’s $200,000+ starting price.
Recap
Bentley EXP 15 Concept
Inspired by its 1930 Speed Six, Bentley made an asymmetrical concept EV with three seats, rotating features, and a dog bed. The model will inform future features on the brand’s luxury SUVs.
