Bentley EXP 15 concept showcases the brand's full-electric future vision

Bentley is stepping into its fully electric future, and it all starts with the just-unveiled EXP 15 concept. This is a full-size exterior model, while the inside is only accessible in virtual reality. Of course that means it will never be for sale - but it is intended to "provide clues to the brand's first full-electric production car being revealed in 2026", Bentley says.

The EXP 15 took inspiration from the 1930 three-seat Bentley Speed Six, nicknamed "Blue Train", and you can see both next to each other above and below. The iconic upright grille, the long bonnet, "rearward cabin and powerful rear haunches" are all there.

You may also think of Jaguar's Type 00 concept when looking at this one, and you wouldn't be alone. While they are different, they do share some similarities in the overall lines and futurism of the designs, even though we'd call Bentley's the more realistic.

Not that it matters, since all this is meant to convey is a general design trend for the brand's fully electric cars. The new Winged B emblem is "designed to channel the spirit of the 1919 original", by the way.

Keeping in mind that this will never be an actual car you can buy, the concept has three seats and three doors, while the boot space "can take on a dual role as upmarket picnic seating" when stationary.

There's one door on the driver's side, and twin coach doors on the passenger side, which open alongside a part of the roof to allow smoother entry and exit via "a more luxurious and flexible passenger-side seat that can swivel 45-degrees outwards".

The passenger seat can be moved to different positions - upfront alongside the driver, slid back to the rear seat, or reclined. Behind the rotating dashboard screen sits the "Mechanical Marvel", a clock-like device with multiple movable and illuminated fingers, which can indicate the car's direction of travel, the state of charge, and "much more".

The interior sports "a striking liquid metal satin paintwork finish" called Pallas Gold. There's also a "fine silk jacquard" textile meant to "promote well-being", and a new fine woven metal mesh called Acrylic Couture, which when illuminated can create "radiant 3D effects within the dashboard".

There's also a 100% wool textile used in the damson ombre effect on the concept's executive trim theme interior alongside real 3D-printed titanium finishes. We can't wait for Bentley to show us its first full electric car next year, hopefully its design will be very obviously influenced by this concept.