The new Bentley blends tradition and futurism. "It's a crouching beast."

How can you celebrate the opening of a new design studio without presenting a striking prototype? How can you set trends for the future without drawing on history? Here are five modern Bentley principles that draw on the brand's rich history.

While Bentley's new office isn't quite ready yet, that hasn't stopped the brand from unveiling the futuristic EXP 15 concept, which, in its design language, bears no resemblance to contemporary Crowe machines. It's angular, monumental, and bold, representing the brand's stylistic future. Here are the five stylistic principles that guided the EXP 15:

Inspired by the grace of a racing horse breaking into a gallop, the EXP 15's gently curved bodywork is reminiscent of the 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman , also known as the Blue Train.

It was in this car that Bentley's then-boss, Woolf Barnato , aka "Bentley Boy," took on Le Train Bleu , the luxury train from Cannes to Calais. Barnato's lead was so great that by the time the express reached the finish line, Bentley Boy had parked his Speed Six in central London.

Bentley EXP 15 / photo: Bentley press materials

The EXP 15 likely won't participate in such a madcap race, as Bentley has no plans to release the car on the road. However, it is expected to shock with its styling and dimensions. The long, "infinite" hood and rearward-sloping cabin foreshadow the styling of the upcoming electric model.

Bentley's future is electric – the door handle has long been decided. This doesn't mean abandoning iconic visual features, such as the distinctive grille architecture. The prominent vertical line begins above the splitter and extends to the illuminated logo on the hood. The Flying B was recently refreshed, heralding a new chapter in the brand's history.

Bentley EXP 15 / photo: Bentley press materials

The car's profile is perhaps the biggest surprise. It resembles neither a coupé nor a sedan. The strong hood line extends all the way to the taillights. As an electric car, the space previously occupied by the engine has been allocated to luggage. The silhouette is reminiscent of Cadillac's offering from a few years ago, the Celestiq . In both cases, the roofline slopes down far to the rear, merging with the taillight strip like a hatchback.

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It is best visible from the side and from above.

"All the finest Bentleys have rear fenders that flare outward above the rear wheels, expressing their musculature and latent power—much like the rounded shape of a large predator's bent hind legs," explains Domen Rucigaj, head of exterior design . "A Bentley's silhouette must be relaxed and horizontal—it can't aggressively push forward (or lean back and look too sluggish). In design, I also focus on the ideal proportions of a Bentley, which—from top to bottom—are divided into one-third reserved for the cabin and two-thirds for the body."

The sleek and visually clean rear end is the antithesis of historical designs like the Gurney Nutting coupé , whose cargo areas were separated from the rest of the body. In the EXP 15, this area integrates with the passenger compartment, offering additional seating in the drop-down tailgate. From this perspective, it's worth appreciating details like the elegant desk lamp-like sculpture illuminating both the picnic bench and the rear seat area.

Bentley EXP 15 / photo: Bentley press materials

The dashboard is the most conservative part of the design. It features a winged layout similar to that of the Bentayga and a conservative, by today's standards, round steering wheel. The trim materials are natural: wood, metal, and… stone. All this is intended to make passengers feel at one with nature and appreciate local craftsmanship.