- Effortless, exclusive and exhilarating, Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e concept brings luxury ownership experience to EV sector
- Luxury customer demands met by Bentley levels of
craftsmanship and refinement, with electric performance and grand
touring capabilities
- Bentley’s vision includes rapid inductive charging and connected on-board concierge services
- EXP 12 Speed 6e concept to gauge public and customer feedback to shape Bentley’s future luxury strategy
- Concept showcases future Bentley exterior and interior design direction
- EXP 12 Speed 6e is on display at the Geneva Motor Show until 19 March
(Geneva, 7 March 2017) Bentley Motors is today
sharing its ambition to define the electric luxury segment with the
EXP 12 Speed 6e concept at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said:
“The EXP 12 Speed 6e is a concept to show that
Bentley is defining electric motoring in the luxury sector, with the
appropriate technology, high quality materials and refinement levels
you’d expect from a true Bentley. This concept enables us to engage
with luxury customers and gather feedback on our approach.
“Bentley is committed to offering an electric model
in its future portfolio and we are interested to receive feedback on
this concept,” Dürheimer concluded.
The Luxury of Electric: Effortless, Exclusive and Exhilarating
An all-electric Bentley will not compromise the
quality, refinement and high performance levels expected of the luxury
brand. These renowned Bentley characteristics such as immediate,
effortless surge of torque and grand touring range will be combined
with new high performance technology such as rapid inductive charging
and state-of-the-art on board concierge-style services for an
effortless ownership experience.
Bentley’s vision is for customers to benefit from
high-speed inductive charging and provide a range sufficient for grand
touring requirements. An electric Bentley would, for example, be able
to drive between London and Paris or Milan and Monaco on a single
charge and the on board experience will be enhanced for both driver
and passenger thanks to the integration of state-of-the-art
technology.
A fusion of cutting-edge technology and beautiful
materials is evident right throughout EXP 12 Speed 6e’s luxuriously
appointed cabin, ensuring that the brand’s use of technology is not
cold or emotionless. The entire central console, for example, is hewn
from a solid piece of elegantly curved glass encompassing a
high-definition OLED screen. All of the car’s principle onboard
controls are accessible from here, including navigation, entertainment
and climate control.
Handmade, cut-glass sections on the steering wheel
contain the controls for media, communications, navigation and car
set-up. There are also two buttons featured at the top of the cut-away
steering wheel, one offering an instant performance boost and the
other the ability to limit speed, in urban areas for example.
The passenger, meanwhile, has their own control panel on the front fascia with access to social media, email and entertainment.
Exquisite copper elements around the gear selector,
Bentley Dynamic Drive dial and in the door veneer panels are
integrated into the cabin to highlight the electric performance
potential of the concept’s advanced new powertrain.
The car’s intelligent infotainment system is the central brain to access many real world services using connected-car Apps.
Designing the Future of Luxury
On the outside, the iconic Bentley mesh grille
features a complex 3D geometry and smoked finish with copper
highlights that identify the Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e as a fully
electric vehicle. When the car is running the ‘6e’ logo illuminates in
a striking, vibrant white.
The exterior design is an expression of muscular,
athletic surfaces inspired by contemporary architecture, the natural
world and the aerodynamic shapes of aircraft fuselages.
It represents a natural evolution of Bentley’s design
DNA and signifies future design direction, taking the famous
powerline and haunch to new levels of drama and tension. When combined
with muscular proportions and an athletic stance through the use of a
short front overhang, long bonnet, low grille and wide rear, the
exterior styling hints at the high-performance potential of the car.
The twin bonnet scoops act as highly effective heat sinks that supply additional cooling to the battery and powertrain.
The wing mirrors – which are cameras rather than
traditional reflective glass – are exceptionally sleek and were
inspired by the sculptural form of stealth aircraft fuselages.
When rapid inductive charging is not available, EXP
12 Speed 6e can be connected to a mains AC power supply via the
auxiliary charging point, subtly concealed behind the rear number
plate.
A Commitment to an Electric Future
Bentley believes that the concept will open
discussions with luxury car buyers of the future – millennials,
members of Generation C and the rising affluent in developing
economies - to understand the desired expectations from a future
electric luxury car ownership experience.
The luxury brand’s electric car strategy includes the
introduction of PHEV models across the Bentley model range over the
next few years, starting with the Bentayga in 2018.