We in Fromfolio believe that great design doesn’t simply bridge past and future—it redefines the terms entirely. The Bentley EXP 15, unveiled inside the brand’s newly inaugurated design studio, represents a bold, articulate vision of what grand touring can become in the age of electrification and digital intelligence.
At first glance, EXP 15 commands attention with its generous proportions, upright stance, and cab-rearward layout. It nods to the 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting coupe, but only as a point of departure. The lines, volumes, and surfaces speak a new language: taut, monolithic, sculpted with confidence. It’s not retro—it’s forward memory, drawing on heritage to construct something wholly modern.
Bentley’s five exterior design principles guide this evolution with clarity. “Upright Elegance” gives the silhouette a dignified posture. “Iconic Grille” retains its historic visual weight but transforms into a light sculpture—a digital crown in place of a combustion intake. The “Endless Bonnet Line” runs with unbroken elegance, disguising new storage zones behind twin clamshell panels, recalling the hinged covers of the Gurney Nutting coupe. “Resting Beast” defines the rear with haunches that suggest latent energy, sculpted like a feline in repose. And “Prestigious Shield” at the tail gives a clean, uninterrupted surface to support both visual gravity and aerodynamic performance.
This concept doesn’t shy away from the theatrical. Active spoilers deploy from the roofline, a full-width aero diffuser slides into position, and the iconic Bentley grille is now bisected by a luminous spine and diamond-patterned LEDs. Lighting becomes a digital canvas—a narrative element integrated into form and function.
Inside, Bentley’s vision continues with an unconventional three-seat layout. One side is dedicated to the driver, the other opens wide with twin coach doors and part of the roof, revealing a flexible passenger seat that rotates 45 degrees for effortless exit. Rear seating is cocooned, private, and intimate. The aim is clear: to transform entry and exit into moments of grace, not acrobatics.
Materiality is where EXP 15 excels. A 100% wool textile by Fox Brothers with a damson ombre gradient meets ultra-modern 3D-printed titanium. A fine silk jacquard, woven by Gainsborough, nestles alongside a futuristic woven metal mesh encapsulated in acrylic. The mix is never forced—it flows, suggesting Bentley’s deep understanding of craft and technology in unison.
Bentley’s dashboard transforms too. A ‘Wing Gesture’ form spans the cabin, transitioning from digital display to polished wood veneer at the driver’s whim. Nestled within is the “Mechanical Marvel,” a kinetic, clock-like centerpiece that offers information or simply serves as a beautiful mechanical sculpture. This fusion of physical and digital—what Bentley calls ‘Magical Fusion’—feels not only thoughtful, but inevitable.
The EXP 15’s UX design isn’t just reactive—it anticipates. From footwell storage that folds into place for luggage or pets, to a tailgate that reveals picnic seating, drink storage, and lighting, the experience is choreographed. There’s joy in how the vehicle adapts to different modes—drive, co-pilot, relax—allowing space to transform with elegance and intention.
And then there’s the paint. Pallas Gold is a satin metallic hue inspired by vintage nickel accents, yet engineered with radar-permeable pigments for modern autonomy systems. It glows, reads depth, and doesn’t interfere with Lidar or radar. It’s a finish that’s as functionally futureproof as it is visually timeless.
EXP 15 isn’t a teaser for a production model. It’s a philosophical statement—a sculptural thesis for what Bentley stands to become. It doesn’t look like the Speed Six, but it remembers its values: presence, poise, performance with elegance. With no powertrain specs revealed, the focus is clearly on form, experience, and intent. Still, it hints at the brand’s all-electric ambitions with all-wheel drive, long range, and luxury unburdened by combustion constraints.
Fromfolio sees in EXP 15 a design team at the height of its maturity, blending sculpture and software, tradition and revolution. It’s not about predicting the future—it’s about designing the one Bentley wants to drive toward.
