Electroluxury

Bentley EXP12 Speed 6e concept

Even the upper-crust likes of Bentley are not immune from pressures on car manufacturers to explore more sustainable motoring. This concept unveiled at the 2017 Auto Shanghai showcases the brand’s ambition to define the electric luxury segment. Tech highlights include rapid charging and connected on-board concierge services. But this no-compromise concept remains true to the legendary marque’s founding principles, with appropriate technology, high quality materials and refinement levels you’d expect from a true Bentley, says Wolfgang Durheimer, the company’s chairman and chief executive.

The resulting public opinion and customer feedback will help shape the company’s future strategy.

Like its conventionally powered stablemates, an electric Bentley would offer, the company says, the familiar immediate effortless surge of torque and a grand touring range. To distinguish it from lesser conveyances, though, range is quoted not in such quotidian terms as kilometres, but as the ability to drive between London and Paris, or Milan and Monaco, on a single charge.

The centre display is made of a solid piece of curved glass, encompassing a high-definition OLE screen that houses all of the car’s principal on-board controls that are accessible from here. The passenger has a dedicated control panel on the front facia with access to social media, email and entertainment. The car has what is described as an intelligent infotainment system that acts as its central brain to gain access to real-world services using connected car apps.

Traditional finishes and craftsmanship are integrated into the technological wizardry. For example, the glass theme continues in the steering wheel, which has handmade cut-glass sections that contain infotainment controls. Copper elements around some of the other controls are reflective of the car’s EV drive.

Speaking of which, the car’s styling retains traditional cues, subtly reworked to fit in to the new-generation powertrain. Twin bonnet scoops act as heat sinks to supply cooling to the battery and powertrain. The wing mirrors are not made of reflective glass; they are actually cameras. Their design is said to be inspired by the sculptural form of stealth aircraft. Incidentally, if rapid inductive charging is not available, the car can be connected to a mains AC power supply.

And this is but a starting point, Bentley makes clear. The company’s electric car strategy includes the introduction of PHEV models across the model range over the next few years, starting with the Bentayga SUV in 2018.

Traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology blend in Bentley’s EV concept. This seems not to be a one-off, either: the company says it plans to introduce plug-in hybrids across the model range.