First, they chopped emissions. Then they chopped the roof.
Bentley isn’t exactly a byword for eco-sustainability, and that’s hardly a bad thing. The super-luxury car buyer would rather be enthralled by the thunder of a W12 engine than the clatter of a diesel, and fuel economy is usually something of no consequence.
However, the reality of dwindling oil reserves will hamper the lives of the super-rich eventually. So Bentley thought it best to release this, the stunning EXP 12 Speed 6e concept car, which runs on electric power alone. The ‘e’ here stands for electric, and while Crewe hasn’t been entirely forthcoming with powertrain details, they’re keen to underline that the Speed 6e has an electric range of about 413km.
Like all good Bentleys, the Speed 6e will allow the discerning to drive from London to Paris, or from Monaco to Milan without breaking a sweat. An “effortless ownership experience” would be enhanced further with the availability of rapid induction charging, though there’s a more pedestrian charging point hidden behind the rear numberplate for juicing via the mains.
“The EXP 12 Speed 6e is a concept to show that Bentley is defining electric motoring in the luxury sector, with the appropriate technology, high quality materials and refinement levels you’d expect from a true Bentley. This concept enables us to engage with luxury customers and gather feedback on our approach,” said Bentley Motors chairman Wolfgang Durheimer. The open-top concept features cameras for side mirrors, with ‘6e’ logos living beneath them that illuminate when the car is on. The gaping grille and dual-vents in the bonnet act as heat-sinks for the electric propulsion.
Like a typical Bentley, the 6e maintains the long-bonnet short-overhang proportions, the corporate four-light face, and muscular shoulders. The interior sees high-quality leather and copper trim finishing, with a solid-glass centre console that operates a high-definition OLED touchscreen beneath. The steering wheel is of special note as well, which uses glass elements imbued into the controls. The wheel itself isn’t round, with the cutaways at the top of the wheel housing a couple of buttons. One offers a performance boost, while the other activates a speed limiter.
The Speed 6e could very well preview a proper production car of the future. Electric propulsion is a strong proposal to replace fossil fuels, and Bentley’s entrant into the electric mobility scene echoes the efforts of manufacturers the world over. We’re just glad to see that losing internal combustion does not mean a dilution of Bentley’s brand values.
For more information on Bentley, check out our Showroom.
