Bentley has unveiled a futuristic concept car designed for the world of 2035 to mark its centenary anniversary.
Unveiled at The Home of Bentley in Crewe, the autonomous and completely electric Bentley EXP 100 GT represents the British brand’s vision of future car design while preserving its heritage.
References to famous models from Bentley’s past are seen throughout the sleek and muscular exterior of the 5.8-metre-long car.
These include the round headlights that overlap the grille in a nod to the Bentley Blower and a rear resembling the famous R-Type Continental.
Made from lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre, decorative features are made from copper and aluminium while the driver and passenger doors are two metres wide and pivot outwards and upwards to rise to three metres tall.
The Bentley EXP 100 GT has seen the brand place sustainability at the forefront of its design ambitions, with a zero emissions powertrain and range of up to 700km.
The exterior paint, named “Compass”, is made from rice husk ash, a bi-product of the rice industry, while the cockpit is styled with natural materials such as wood, leather and glass.
Bentley’s director of design Stefan Sielaff said the concept “represents the kind of cars we want to make in the future.”
He added: “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.”
Head of exterior design John Paul Gregory revealed that the concept was heavily informed by the history of the brand.
“The starting point was our heritage. Bentley’s history is peppered with amazing cars so that was our first port of call.
“You start with the proportions. You stand a good distance away from the car and you’re able to recognise that it’s a Bentley, even just from the silhouette.”