2015 Geneva Motor Show: Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept

British, racy and green. Bentley reveals what could become its future two-seat sports car.

LUXURY sports has a new name: the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept. Unveiled overnight ahead of today’s official opening of the 2015 Geneva motor show, Bentley’s surprise show car that could one day take on the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GT, upcoming Aston Martin DB10, the BMW i8 and the Maserati Granturismo shakes the current 2+2 mould to point to a true two-seater sports coupe one day joining the brand alongside its first-ever SUV.

Surprisingly, too, Bentley has hinted that the future path behind Bentley’s traditionally effortless performance is hybrid, spelling a potential curtain call for its petrol- and ethanol-fuelled V8 engines and W12 engines.

The EXP 10 Speed 6 wears a similar wide front end and big-hipped rear as the larger 2+2-seat Continental, but pushes the wheels to each corner to give a powerful stance.

The Bentley mesh grille has become deeper-set, and framed on either side by large intakes joined by a slit that runs along the top of a prominent splitter.

The concept also sticks with the traditional quad-headlight cluster, although they’re slightly crushed to give a squint-eyed look.

Bentley says copper highlights used on the interior and exterior of the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept point to what it says highlights “the performance hybrid potential of the concept’s advanced new powertrain”.

Also dispensing with tradition is the paint colour, described as an interpretation of British Racing Green.

Looking much like a Jaguar F-Type in styling, the Bentley concept features a long bonnet with a cab-rearward look with stretched C-pillars, and access handles that recess into the door skins to help with aerodynamic flow.

Inside, Bentley says the centre console “integrates digital information with tactile controls via a curved touch screen housed in an aluminium frame”.

In an act of visual theatre, a mix of analogue and digital instruments including a mechanical tachometer rise from flat on the facia to turn towards the driver once the floating “B” starter button on the gearshift lever – finished in aluminium, copper and cherry wood, is pressed.

The rear of the concept is split into two compartments that is custom-designed to take a four-piece luggage set.

Bentley is slowly moving from making traditional saloons and grand tourers to appeal to more buyers as tastes for luxury cars change worldwide.

It recently announced it will manufacture its first-ever uberluxury SUV – the Bentayga.