Shown at a pop-up Bentley gallery during the New York International Auto Show, Bentley's EXP 10 Speed 6 concept is a pretty good indication of the future styling direction of the boys from Crewe.
This picture doesn't do the dials justice. They were individual works of art.
But this one-off show queen is more than just an exercise in external beauty. The interior rivals any of the poshest penthouses and is finished off in diamond-stiched Poltrona Frau leather, doorcards milled from solid straight-grain cherry wood, and accents in copper. Copper! Look at it shine! And to top it off, It can move under its own power, which at the moment is still undetermined to be.
Copper accents were incorporated throughout and worked really well in every application.
The '6' in the grille reminded me of a Bentley Blower who had the number '8' painted onto its radiator. The copper accenting is seen as the backdrop for the winged 'B'.
A modern interpretation of a historic design cue.
The headlights themselves will most likely be featured in the Museum of Modern Art years from now, with intricate line work illuminated by LEDs. The taillights feature a similar theme.
In case you forgot what you were looking at.
The mirrors look as delicate as a dandelion seed perched atop a ledge. The wheel spokes are layered for a 3D effect. The exhaust tips are dotted with what I can only refer to as 'speed holes,' but still possess a certain charm.
I want to get back to that interior, but I feel no words that I choose will be sufficient in describing just how striking it is. And you can't appreciate it all the first time you look. You have to keep revisiting it to get the full effect. It's like watching a movie for the second time and picking up on the little details that you missed the first time around. It makes it much more satisfying.
Talk about taking the wood-trimmed interior to the next level.
When viewed as a whole, the EXP 10 strikes the fine balance of being a production-ready concept car. It's not too over-the-top that you couldn't imagine seeing it at a Sunday Cars & Coffee. Yet it still exudes a level of elegance that is befitting of the show stage. I'm interested in seeing just how much of that aura it carries with it to the consumer version.
Until then, please check out the full hi-res gallery HERE.
Like an Aston Martin, the doors cant upward oh so delicately when open.