bentley EXP 100 GT envisions the future of sustainable luxury mobility

celebrating the brand’s centenary, the bentley ‘EXP 100 GT’ conceptualizes a future for luxury mobility that is sustainable, autonomous and electric. beautifully sculpted both outside and in, the car not only reimagines grand touring but predicts these changes by the year 2035. it is a future that richly intertwines zero emissions, sustainable materials and highly advanced technologies. this includes the ability to freely choose between driving yourself and being driverless, and the use of AI to the point where every extraordinary journey can be captured and relived.

‘the bentley EXP 100 GT represents the kind of cars we want to make in the future,‘ says stefan sielaff, director of design, at the unveiling. ‘like those iconic bentleys of the past, this car connects with its passengers’ emotions and helps them experience and safeguard the memories of the really extraordinary journeys they take.’

all images courtesy of bentley

the exterior of the bentley ‘EXP 100 GT’ heavily combines influences from their heritage with innovation: round headlights overlap the grille in the style of their ‘bower’, and the rear is reminiscently sloped like the ‘R-type continental’. its the front that is most apparent for evoking the brand’s unmistakable, iconic DNA though. an illuminated matrix grille dominates the view, pairing with the headlamps and flying B mascot to create a dramatic, dynamic lighting design that then flows along a central spine into the interior.

the sleek, taut surfaces of the sculpted aluminim and carbon fiber body is coated in a special, ever-changing silver finish made from a pigment that is, otherwise, a harmful bi-product of the rice industry. the deep, liquid-like surface color is paired with decorative details crafted from copper and finished aluminum before concluding at the low rear, where there is an interweaving 3D OLED screen together with the tailights. the design is complete with spectacular two meter wide doors that pivot outwards and upwards. as stated by stefan, ‘the doors are a work of art’.

like the exterior, the cabin is sensuously shaped with lightweight sculpted surfaces defining the architecture, which appears mostly cantilevered and floating. handcrafted, fine materials – leather, embroidered cotton and glass – complement the prominent grain of the wood to form an elegant yet dynamic aesthetic overall. the space is perfected with an interplay of light that is enhanced with crystals in the dashboard and center console, as well as hand-stitched unique fiber optics in the roof.

the environment is tailor designed for passenger well-being, even with an adaptable configuration that allows for two, three or four seats. its highly crafted materials are infused with high technology but in a seamless way. the bentley personal assistant AI further curates the driver and passengers’ extraordinary experiences. it encompasses five distinct modes: ‘enhance’ harvests input from the outside to create an open top feeling inside; ‘cocoon’ enforces a protective, private space; ‘capture’ records moments and builds its unique identity from both inside and outside the car; ‘re-live’ replays these highlights; and ‘customise’ combines all or some of the modes specifically for the user.

the use of AI ensures the passengers and driver enjoy equal status within the car and share the same experiences – whether driving or being driven. its electric battery system is predicted to offer 700 km of range per charge, and can energize to 80% in only 15 minutes. like all bentley models, speed and power is imperative. the concept enhances its 1,500 Nm of torque to race from 0-60 mph in less than 2.5 seconds and to a top speed of 186 mph.