This is perhaps the best birthday celebration we have seen in recent times. The general trend on any birthday is to go back in time and celebrate the most iconic moments from history. But instead, Bentley decided to give us peek into its future on its 100th birthday. What is it, you ask? It's what the company's future looks like and where it sees itself in the next 15 years. Bentley unveiled the EXP 100 GT concept in Crewe, England, to commemorate the milestone. If this is what the future looks like, we are in safe hands.

It Looks Futuristic While Retaining The Bentley Essence

The EXP 100 GT is a fully autonomous, electric posh grand tourer. That sums it up well. Upfront, the huge illuminated mesh grille is made up of 6,000 LEDs that complement the round headlights well. The EXP 100 GT is 5.7 meters long and 2.4 meters wide. To put things into perspective, this car is nearly half-a-meter longer and much wider than the new Flying Spur, but looks quite proportionate for a two-door car. The grille, like the "stand-out" Bentley motif, lights up when the driver approaches the car. This is a tribute to the Blower Bentley from the 1920s. Bentley has managed to keep the weight low by using lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber components on the body. As for the doors, they open in a scissor fashion. To add more pizzazz to the sexy exterior, Bentley says the EXP 100 GT is configurable with aerodynamic wheels and 'intelligent' Pirelli tires, whatever that is. The rear has a long overhang and features OLED lights.

Is This The President's Suite?

On the inside, Bentley has used natural materials, including 5,000-year-old copper-infused Riverwood. Bentley has made sure its efforts of the EXP 100 GT as a 'green' car are more than evident. The leather used inside is created from byproducts of wine making. The center console is made of Cumbrian crystal. The door panels wear soft wool carpets and embroidered cotton interior surfaces sourced from local farms. An air purification system is installed in the trunk that cleans the air before it infiltrates the cabin. The air vents undulate themselves to make it appear as though they are breathing. To top it all off, Bentley has developed a unique scent for this car, which is basically a blend of sandalwood and fresh moss.

That's A Little Too Much AI For My Liking

The British automaker has tied Crystal in with the onboard AI. The AI system helps the passengers by monitoring the mood with biometrics, even detecting the blood pressure. Furthermore, it can alter the amount of light in the cabin, the temperature, and other settings. There are five other distinct modes that the AI system has to understand the occupants and make them comfortable. ‘Enhance’ harvests input from outside to create an open-top feeling inside. ‘Cocoon’ enforces a protective, private space. ‘Capture’ records moments and builds its unique identity from both inside and outside the car. ‘Re-live’ replays these highlights, and ‘Customise’ combines all or some of the modes specifically for the user.

Four-Digit Power Figures!

If you thought the Bentley EXP 100 GT was all about opulence and elegance, you were wrong. It has the powertrain specs to put the best electric cars to shame. Called the 'Next Generation Traction Drive', the powertrain develops immense power outputs. Each wheel is attached to an electric motor that makes between 204 and 340 horses, depending on the trim. This means that the EXP 100's total output is between 816 and 1360 horses. An advanced torque vectoring system helps distribute the combined output between all the four wheels. It also makes 1,106 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to these specs, Bentley says the EXP 100 GT should be able to sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds and will go all the way up to 186 miles per hour.

Despite these monstrous figures, the car will be able to travel 435 miles on a single charge. The British automaker also says that it can regain up to 80-percent power in just 15 minutes through fast charging. If you were to compare these specs to a corresponding model from the present-day market, the EXP 100 GT is around 35-percent lighter than a car with similar capabilities. Coupled with the strong aerodynamics, you should be able to push this car in any condition with ease. Like I mentioned earlier, the car is fully autonomous, but can be driven manually as well.

Bentley EXP 100 GT Concept specifications

Engine

Next Generation Traction Drive

Horsepower

816-1,360 HP

Torque

1,500 Nm (1,106 lb-ft)

Range

700 km (435 miles)

0 to 60 mph

2.5 seconds

Top Speed

300 kph (186 mph)


What They Had To Say

Stefan Sielaff, Director of Design, Bentley, said, “The EXP 100 GT is a canvas for what makes the future of luxury. It represents the kind of cars we want to make in the future. 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.”

Final Thoughts

Bentley is not planning to build the EXP 100 GT in this form. But, can we expect something on these lines in the future? Bentley unveiled this and announced that we can expect a model like this to debut in the year 2035. This car is out-of-the-world in terms of specs, features, and technology. All this sounds fun for now, but with stuff like blood pressure monitoring, mood analyzers, etc., one thing is clear - AI systems will invade us, and it is scary. Nevertheless, let's wait and watch what the future holds for humanity. What are your thoughts on this stunning creation by Bentley on its 100th anniversary? Share them with us in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Bentley Continental GT Convertible.

Read our full review on the 2018 Bentley Continental GT.

Read our full review on the 2017 Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e Concept.

Read our full review on the 2015 Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6.