With the 2017 Geneva Motor Show coming to end some 250 cars have been debuted to the public, and the topic on most people’s lips has been the venture into the Electric market of luxury car manufacturer Bentley.
In what will surely be a game changing moment for the luxury automotive brand and the industry as a whole, the exquisite Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e will be the first model the company hopes to offer for a sustainable future.
The EXP 12 is a car intended to challenge our preconceptions about what we can expect from an electric car, and it endeavors to bring Bentley’s limousine-like qualities of luxury and opulence to a distinctly more compact form.
The exterior body shell is a sleek expression of sports car design, inspired by contemporary architecture, aircraft fuselages and the geometry of the natural world.
A natural evolution of Bentley’s design DNA, it takes the marque’s trademark muscular haunch and powerline to exhilarating new heights. The short front overhang, long bonnet and wide, planted rear aspect all contribute to an unmistakable sense of speed, while the iconic matrix grille features an exquisite smoked stainless steel finish.
Contrasting copper highlights offer subtle acknowledgement of the car’s status as a fully electric vehicle, while a ‘6’ logo can be seen through the grille, which illuminates bright white when the car is running.
And it is designed with both form and function in mind, the lines and hood scoops all add to the car’s performance potential. The two hood scoops in particular act as a heat sink to supply cooling to the battery and powertrain. Also instead of traditional glass side mirrors, the EXP 12 has side cameras.
Inside the entire center console is hewn from a solid piece of curved glass that encompasses a HD OLED screen which controls the sat-nav, entertainment and climate control. The half-cut steering wheel gives the car a race track feel while leather and a completely glass electronic dash round out the interior.
Also just as they do on the outside of the car, copper details provide visual interest throughout the cabin, adorning the gear selector and Bentley Dynamic Drive dial control. Even the veneer panels inside the doors feature copper accents, drawing the eye to the handcrafted, natural wood finish.
Luxury is one only one side of this vehicle though. That’s why the EXP 12 Speed 6e has been conceived as more than just a showcase of design and craftsmanship. It is an entirely new format for both urban and open-road driving.
Electric power provides an opportunity to exceed the performance limits of cars built on the conventional combustion engine. From a standing start, electric motors deliver phenomenal levels of torque, which translates into heart-stopping acceleration.
In order to deliver a true grand touring experience, the EXP 12 Speed 6e would be built with the capacity to drive from London to Paris or Milan to Monaco on a single charge. This impressive range would be supported by fast recharging, thanks to inductive technology.
When rapid inductive charging isn’t available, the car can be connected to AC power supplies via an auxiliary charging point hidden behind the rear license plate.
The EXP 12 represents a first step on a journey that will change the way today’s drivers think about mobility and what it can be. From rapid charging and fast acceleration to a world of connected lifestyle services, where onboard concierge software responds to complex voice input, the world of luxury transport is set to change immeasurably.
Check out some more pictures below and head on over to the official website here for more information.
