Bentley EXP 100 GT: Self-Driving, Zero-Emission Concept to Celebrate Bentley’s Centenary
The Bentley marque has long held the old-fashioned luxury title, but, in celebration of its centenary, the automaker kicked it up quite a few notches. On July 10, 2019, Bentley unveiled its much-anticipated clean, autonomous car concept, the Bentley EXP 100 GT, at its original campus in Crewe, England. Bentley touted their concept as the future of grand touring and a “showcase of sustainability and innovation” for the year 2035.
Specs
The EXP 100 GT is an all-electric car that could fit in well in the worlds of iRobot or Blade Runner. It consists of an aluminum and carbon fiber exterior with embellishments of sustainable copper and aluminum, instead of unsustainable chrome. Its body is long, wide, and elegant, coming in at 18’ X 8’, over two feet longer and a foot wider than Bentley’s 2020 Continental. Also, its doors open scissor-style and stand at an intimidating ten feet tall. The concept car weighs a mere 4188 lbs., which is astonishingly light considering its gargantuan specs.
The Bentley EXP 100 GT has four electric motors that put out an impressive combined 1,106 lb-ft of torque, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds, with a top speed of 186 mph. The underfloor battery pack boasts a formidable 435-mile range and an 80% charge in only 15 mins.
Tech
In addition to remarkable physical features, this concept has an AI Personal Assistant and features for autonomous-driving and environmental control. At the Crewe-unveiling, the autonomous debut did not entirely go as planned, but after a few minutes of troubleshooting, the EXP 100 GT drove itself onto the display platform under purely electric power. This instance is not the first time an autonomous concept had some trouble, and it will not be the last. But, the self-driving feature clearly works, and Bentley has at least another 15 years of tech advancements to work out the kinks before the car’s projected entrance into the market.
The car also has a few different modes for the comfort and wishes of the driver:
- Enhance
Brings the outside environment into the car. The glass roof goes transparent and outside sounds and smells are brought in for a more natural atmosphere. - Cocoon
Roof turns opaque, and the air is purified, for an enclosed and private feel. - Capture & Re-Live
These two modes allow the driver to record previous experiences on the road and play them back at leisure. - Custom
This mode allows the driver to customize his or her driving environment by combining elements for all the other modes.
The Future of Luxury
Bentley has beautifully blended futuristic luxury with its past designs. It includes AIs, autonomous-driving, and enviro-control, along with a rear haunch similar to the 1952 R-type Continental and round headlights overlapping a large grille, reminiscent of the 1930s Blower. As impressive as this car is, it is important to recognize that the Bentley EXP 100 GT is not a road-ready car, but a concept for what is to come.
We at AutohausAZ, a top online provider of Jaguar auto parts and other luxury car parts, are excited by Bentley’s view of the future and look forward to more innovations from car manufacturers. If you need to buy Jaguar parts or want to stay informed about the most exciting news in the auto industry, browse our website and make sure to check out our blog for new articles!
