Bentley Concept Cars

1. Bentley EXP 100 GT

Bold statement about Bentley's future, capturing the essence of luxury grand touring in the 21st century

The Bentley EXP 100 GT, unveiled in 2019 to commemorate Bentley's centenary, is a visionary concept car that encapsulates the luxury brand's view on the future of grand touring in the year 2035. This concept is a bold declaration of Bentley's commitment to combining innovation, luxury, and sustainability, showcasing an ambitious blend of technology and craftsmanship while exploring the potential of electric vehicle technology in the luxury segment.

The Bentley EXP 100 GT features a dramatic and forward-thinking design that remains unmistakably Bentley. Its exterior combines the brand's signature elegance and muscular proportions with futuristic elements, such as an illuminated matrix grille and intelligent, adaptive headlights.

The interior of the EXP 100 GT is a masterpiece of modern luxury, emphasizing sustainable materials and advanced technology. It includes 5,000-year-old Copper Infused Riverwood, sustainable textiles like wool and a leather-like material made from wine making byproducts.

The Bentley EXP 100 GT envisions an all-electric future, powered by four electric motors that offer a potent combination of performance and efficiency. The concept targets a 0-60 mph time of under 2.5 seconds, a top speed of 186 mph and a range of up to 435 miles on a single charge.

2. Bentley Hunaudières

Glimpse into Bentley's future direction at the time, emphasizing performance without sacrificing luxury.

The Bentley Hunaudières is a high-performance concept car unveiled by Bentley Motors at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. Named after the famous Hunaudières straight of the Le Mans racing circuit, this concept was a significant departure from Bentley's traditional luxury sedans and grand tourers, showcasing the brand's capabilities in developing a high-speed, performance-oriented vehicle. The Bentley Hunaudières featured a striking and aerodynamic design, with a long, low profile that was quite different from the more stately designs Bentley was known for.

Under the hood, the Hunaudières was powered by an 8.0-liter W16 engine, producing an impressive 623 horsepower. This engine was a precursor to the W16 that would later be used in the Bugatti Veyron.

While the Bentley Hunaudières itself never went into production, its design and engineering concepts had a lasting impact on the Volkswagen Group's high-performance luxury segment. The W16 engine and some of the design philosophy would later be refined and utilized in the development of the Bugatti Veyron.

This concept paved the way for future performance-oriented models from Bentley, demonstrating that the brand could successfully expand beyond its established market niche into the realm of high-performance sports cars.

3. Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6

This is one of the sexiest cars ever created, not just for Bentley, but across all automakers ever.

Bentley Motors shared its view the future direction of luxury and performance with the EXP 10 Speed 6 at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show. The concept was a British interpretation of a high performance two seater sportscar using modern automotive design, highly skilled handcrafting, the finest materials and advanced performance technology.

From the racing success of the company’s early years to the international motorsport success of today, ‘speed’ is part of Bentley’s DNA. This inspiration is expressed throughout the EXP 10 Speed 6, where iconic Bentley design cues are fused with progressive craftsmanship techniques and modern technologies. Copper elements are used as accents to both exterior and interior features to highlight the performance hybrid potential of the concept’s advanced new powertrain. Performance goals including top speed are set to challenge competitors and define a new segment benchmark.

The Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 was not just a standalone concept but a glimpse into Bentley's future direction in terms of design, technology, and performance. It was intended to explore the possibilities of a new model line alongside Bentley's existing portfolio, hinting at the expansion of Bentley's range into more performance-oriented luxury vehicles. The concept car embodied themes of innovation, sustainability, and the fusion of technology with traditional craftsmanship, signaling Bentley's commitment to evolving in the 21st century while staying true to its heritage.

4. Bentley Grand Convertible

Unparalleled craftsmanship, combining the brand's heritage, expertise, and vision of what true luxury is.

The ultimate expression of British automotive luxury is imagined with the Bentley Grand Convertible, the most sophisticated open-top car ever created by Bentley. Iconic yet understated in style and fashioned entirely by hand from the very finest materials, this unrivalled flagship of luxury represents the ultimate in powerful, sensuous roofless motoring.

Bentley Chairman and CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer commented: “This concept demonstrates Bentley’s ability to create a pinnacle convertible Grand Tourer, while embodying elegance beyond compare. With this car we combine the opulent Mulsanne experience with the full sensory indulgence of open-air touring, continuing to unite luxury and performance in new ways. We are eagerly awaiting the response of our customers to this car. We will ensure that this car – if it reaches the roads – will be a highly exclusive, extremely limited collector’s piece.”

The Bentley Grand Convertible is based on the Mulsanne, Bentley's flagship sedan, sharing its opulent approach to luxury but with the added allure of open-top driving. The concept car exhibits a striking exterior design characterized by its long, elegant proportions, classic Bentley styling cues, and an attention to detail that is second to none. The Grand Convertible's paintwork, a sophisticated Sequin Blue, was specially chosen to highlight the car's lines, while a silver "liquid metal" finish on the hood and windshield frame adds contrast and exclusivity.

Inside, the Grand Convertible presents an interior that is a testament to Bentley's unmatched craftsmanship. It features the highest quality materials, including Beluga leather seats with diamond quilting, Sequin Blue stitching, and a stunning Burr Walnut tonneau cover. The tonneau, the largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley, showcases the brand's expertise in woodcraft, with intricate marquetry and an open-pore finish that emphasizes the natural beauty of the wood.

5. Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e

A concept car that represents Bentley's vision for the future of luxury electric vehicles. We like it.

The Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e, unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, is a concept car that represents Bentley's vision for the future of luxury electric vehicles. It builds upon the design and innovation themes introduced with the EXP 10 Speed 6, pushing further into electric mobility while maintaining the brand's hallmark luxury and performance characteristics. The EXP 12 Speed 6e concept underscores Bentley's commitment to creating a leading luxury electric vehicle experience, blending traditional craftsmanship with advanced technology.

Inside, the EXP 12 Speed 6e showcases a luxurious and technologically advanced cabin. It features high-quality materials such as leather, wood, and metal, combined with cutting-edge technology like an OLED curved display for the driver's controls and a center console made from glass with a high-definition OLED screen. These elements demonstrate Bentley's ability to integrate modern technology seamlessly with traditional luxury.

While specific performance details were not fully disclosed, the EXP 12 Speed 6e concept is designed with the intention of setting new benchmarks for electric vehicle performance and range. Bentley indicated that such a vehicle would offer rapid inductive charging and a driving range sufficient for grand touring purposes, ensuring that the electric drivetrain does not compromise the luxury driving experience. The concept suggests the potential for powerful acceleration and effortless cruising capabilities, in line with Bentley's reputation for performance.

6. Bentley Java

Influenced the design approaches in subsequent Bentley models, particularly more modern styling cues.

The Bentley Java was a concept car introduced in 1994, marking Bentley's exploration into the luxury sedan segment with a focus on compact dimensions and efficiency, diverging from their traditional lineup of larger, more opulent models. The Java concept was unveiled during a period when Bentley, under the ownership of the Volkswagen Group, was beginning to diversify its range and appeal to a broader audience.

The Bentley Java was designed as a smaller, more agile luxury car, reflecting the needs of a market increasingly concerned with environmental issues and urban usability. Despite its more compact size, the Java retained the elegance and high-quality craftsmanship associated with the Bentley name. The exterior design featured classic Bentley styling cues, such as the prominent grille and the strong, flowing lines, but presented in a more contemporary and less imposing form factor compared to models like the Mulsanne or the Continental.

Inside, the Bentley Java showcased luxury and innovation, with a cabin rich in high-quality materials like wood, leather, and chrome. The interior design emphasized comfort and luxury, incorporating advanced technology of the time to enhance the driving experience and passenger convenience.