Bentley's Initial Electric Vehicle Is A Concept So Unusual It Lacks A Front Passenger Seat | Carscoops

      Bentley reimagines the classic sedan with a bold design suited for the crossover era.

      The brand introduced the new EXP 15 concept, which offers a glimpse into the styling trend for their upcoming electric vehicle. The design features a raised three-door sedan layout with three seats and an incorporated dog bed. The final electric vehicle will be a Luxury Urban SUV based on the Cayenne Electric platform.

      Bentley is preparing to launch its first electric vehicle in 2026 and is showcasing its styling approach with the EXP 15 concept, which represents a significant shift for the company and is described as an "elevated sporting sedan."

      While it wasn't anticipated for Bentley to take inspiration from models like the Toyota Crown and Volvo S60 Cross Country, the EXP 15 merges elements of a coupe, sedan, and crossover. This unconventional mix was explained by Bentley's Design Director, Robin Page.

      “It’s evident that SUVs are an expanding segment, and we comprehend the GT market through four generations of the Continental GT. Yet the sedan segment poses the greatest challenges due to its evolution,” he remarked. “Some buyers prefer a traditional ‘three-box’ sedan design, while others opt for a ‘one-box’ build, and some seek something more elevated. This provided us with an opportunity to engage with customers and gather insights.”

      A New Shape for the Brand

      Feedback will likely come in abundance since the concept deviates significantly from typical Bentley design cues. It instead resembles a generic edgy form with hints of Volvo and a touch of Jaguar.

      This may not have been the designers' intent, but the EXP 15 features an Upright Elegance front end characterized by a large enclosed grille. This grille uses lights to replicate the look of a conventional grille while transforming a typically superfluous component into a “piece of digital art.”

      The vehicle also includes vertical headlights and Bentley's new winged logo, along with an illuminated hood ornament and a front trunk accessed via hinged engine covers.

      As we move along the design, there’s a relatively flat hood that connects with sleek black A-pillars, leading into a sloped black roof that contrasts against the lustrous silver-gold body.

      The concept presents a streamlined silhouette that combines taut surfaces with sharp lines and smoothly rounded wheel arches, complemented by muscular rear haunches and a narrow greenhouse. It features aerodynamically optimized wheels and significant ground clearance.

      One unique aspect of the EXP 15 is its three-door setup, with one door on the driver's side and two on the passenger's side, along with an unusual arrangement of two front doors for a vehicle with just one front seat.

      The rear is somewhat less striking but leans toward the generic, save for two active spoilers on the roof, an active diffuser, and stylish taillights that faintly echo Dodge's racetrack motifs.

      While Bentley didn’t provide extensive specifics, they mentioned that the concept measures over 196.9 inches (5,000 mm) in length, indicating it could be shorter than the Flying Spur, which measures 209.3 inches (5,316 mm).

      Although the production electric vehicle will differ significantly from the concept, Bentley indicated it “provides hints to the design” of forthcoming models. They mentioned that we can expect more contemporary and sculpted bodywork along with efforts to minimize “visual weight.”

      An Odd and Flexible Interior

      Continuing the theme of uniqueness, the EXP 15 features an interior designed for three passengers, equipped with “innovative in-cabin storage for beloved pets and/or luggage.” As part of this design, Bentley created a dog bed that can be secured in place of the front passenger seat. Drivers have the option to place two suitcases beside them, presumably filled with cash.

      The interior’s eccentricities continue with a passenger-side seat that can adjust to three positions: a standard rear position, a reclined Relax mode, and a Co-Pilot mode, where the seat moves next to the driver. The seat can also rotate 45 degrees outward to facilitate entry and exit.

      Bentley highlighted that ample legroom is available in the rear seating positions due to the absence of a front passenger seat. They also referenced a Concertina Floor Storage system that incorporates a footrest folding down into the floor when not needed.

      Aside from the seats, the ‘Wing Gesture’ dashboard serves as a full-width digital display, which includes a slender digital instrument cluster and an infotainment system described as a “Mechanical Marvel.” The latter is portrayed as a “clock-like device with multiple movable and illuminated digits that can indicate the car’s direction of travel, battery status, and more.” Additionally, there’s a lower display on the passenger side that seems out of place given the absence of a front passenger seat.

      Interestingly, the displays can be turned off to unveil a veneered wood surface beneath the glass. The vehicle also features a stylish steering wheel and some avant-garde controls, as Page noted, “We believe that people will tire of a completely digital experience