Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept
Bentley Motors has shown the future
direction of luxury and performance with the EXP 10 Speed 6 at the 2015 Geneva
International Motor Show. The concept is 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 exterior design of EXP 10 Speed 6 is
an expression of muscular, athletic surfaces inspired by the aerodynamic shapes
of aircraft fuselages and wings. The ethos of the design was to develop
contemporary interpretations of Bentley styling cues, which have been brought
together with beauty and precision. The result is a coupe of clean, modern
surfaces whilst remaining unmistakably Bentley.
Creating exciting contemporary ideas
from classic starting points is evident across the car, from the new
interpretation of the iconic Bentley matrix grille and four-round headlamps to
the paint colour - a deeper, richer and heavily metallic version of British
Racing Green. The principles of established Bentley luxury have been applied in
new and invigorating ways that use the latest technologies and techniques.
The shapes and lines of EXP 10 Speed 6
represent a dynamic sculpture, creating harmony between sharp lines and flowing
surfaces and using twisted surfaces to imply speed. Combined with muscular
proportions and an athletic stance through the use of a short front overhang, long
bonnet, low grille and wide rear shape with a long C-post, the exterior styling
hints at high speed potential of the car.
Every exterior material and each
individual detail is designed to modern Bentley style. Cutting-edge 3D metal
printing technology has allowed the grille mesh, exhausts, door handles and
side vents to be delivered with micro-scale design detail precision. The iconic
Bentley mesh grille, for example, is no longer a flat plane of latticework but
includes varying depth with a complex 3D geometry only visible when viewed at
an angle. Bentley's renowned quilted leather has inspired three dimensional
texture to the precision glass of the headlamps.
These exterior elements come together to
present a Bentley for the next generation - lean, toned and exquisitely
precise, designed around new evolutions of the design elements that unite all
Bentleys - past, present and future.
The inspiration for the interior comes
from the continuous line that runs around the cabin, driving through the console
and into two symmetrical wings before flowing into the door and looping back
into the console armrest. Two elegant quilted sports seats are positioned
either side of the narrow centre console which houses exquisite driver controls
and a highly intuitive 12" touch screen. These features combine futuristic
technology seamlessly with progressive Bentley craftsmanship.
Each detail has taken core Bentley
interior DNA principles and moved them forwards. For example, the classic and
purposeful Bentley knurled surface is a feature throughout the controls of the
car, but now created using steel and copper together to create a two-metal 3D
texture.
Continuing the fusion of traditional
materials and contemporary design statements, the doors of EXP 10 Speed 6
feature 3D quilting, milled directly in to solid straight-grain cherry wood.
Each resulting diamond is finished with a copper centre. The centre console
integrates digital information with tactile controls via a curved touch screen
housed in an aluminium frame. The fascia instruments deploy from a flat
position into the drivers view as the car is started using the floating
"B" button integrated in to a non-symmetrical gear lever finished in
aluminium, copper and cherry wood. A mechanical rev counter and digital display
combine to provide the perfect balance of modern driver information and
analogue beauty.
The rear interior space is divided into
two compartments designed to house a specifically designed four-piece luggage
set. Like the rest of the interior, the rear has been trimmed by the master
craftsmen at Bentley in the highest quality Poltrona Frau leather.