Bentley EXP 15 debuts at Monterey Car Week

At one of the world's most prestigious car shows, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California, Bentley Motors its new EXP 15 full-size concept, a rolling sculpture meant to give the public a clear look at where the brand is headed.

For a company famous for its powerful gasoline engines, this concept is literally a sign pointing directly toward its first generation of fully electric cars. It's a blueprint for the future, designed to test ideas and gather opinions before Bentley's big push into the world of EVs.

The EXP 15's primary job is to serve as a design vision, influencing the look and feel of every new Bentley to come, especially the highly anticipated first all-electric model. By showing the car to an audience of collectors and brand loyalists at Monterey Car Week, Bentley is essentially conducting a very public focus group. The feedback from these enthusiasts will be taken back to the company's headquarters in Crewe, England, to help refine the final designs of its future electric grand tourers.

To understand where Bentley is going, the EXP 15 suggests we must first look back. The concept car draws heavy inspiration from one of the most famous Bentleys of all time: the 1930 Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman coupé, often called the "Blue Train." That historic car had a unique character, and the EXP 15 borrows its long, powerful hood and sets the cabin far back, creating a classic profile.

In a direct tribute, the concept features an unusual three-seat layout. This arrangement isn't for a growing family but to provide an ultra-luxurious experience, with the third seat creating more space and dedicated storage for things like hand luggage or even, as the company notes, a treasured pet.

According to Bentley, its designers followed five main rules to create the look of the EXP 15, and these principles will define the brand's electric cars. The first, "Upright Elegance," can be seen in the car's strong front profile. "Iconic Grille" refers to the necessary reimagining of Bentley's famous grille for an EV that doesn't need a massive radiator.

The "Endless Bonnet Line" preserves the long-hood look that is a hallmark of the brand. "Resting Beast" describes the car's muscular but lean appearance, suggesting power even when it is standing still. Finally, "Prestigious Shield" defines the solid rear panel that showcases a redesigned Bentley emblem. These are some big marketing words, but at the same time this isn't just another EV - this is the electric future of Bentley.

For many electric cars, design follows function. With no engine up front, hoods can be shorter and cabins can be pushed forward. Bentley shows with the EXP 15 that it will not abandon its heritage. The long hood and imposing grille are essential parts of the Bentley identity, and the company is working to blend those classic cues with the new packaging possibilities of electric vehicle technology.

Before being shipped back to England, the EXP 15 enjoyed a bit of California's scenery. It was photographed along the famous 17 Mile Drive, a road closely associated with Monterey Car Week. In a special moment, the concept car was reunited with the original 1930 "Blue Train" Speed Six, which was brought over from its owner's collection.

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