Geneva Show Highlights

The concept car unveiled by Bentley,EXP 10 Speed 6was undoubtedly one of the highlights of this year's Geneva Motor Show.

Bentley, known for its grand tourers that have been larger than life since its founding nearly a century ago, has rarely ventured into relatively compact sports cars with a low-slung profile.

However, as evidenced by its six Le Mans 24 Hours victories, Bentley has an undeniable connection to sports cars. In that sense, the passion for building sports cars may have always resided deep within Bentley's DNA. At the very least, I suspect I'm not alone in feeling that Bentley's brand image is better suited to sports cars than SUVs.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, has stated his intention to make the "EXP 10 Speed 6" Bentley's fifth model line-up. This means the EXP 10 Speed 6 will not be a one-off concept but will lead to a production model following the current "Mulsanne",Continental GT",Flying Spur", and the luxury SUV scheduled for release in late 2015, "Bentayga".

While no mechanical details have been announced, it is realistic to assume that the powertrain will be based on the Continental GT's W12 6.0-liter twin-turbo engine and all-wheel-drive system.

The styling, which hints at the future direction of Bentley design, was handled by Sangyup Lee, the company's chief designer. The front fascia, with its large mesh grille and two sets of headlights, visually conveys a low center of gravity befitting a sports car while retaining recognizable Bentley cues. The window graphics along the side and the powerful haunches of the rear fenders also evoke a strong connection to the Continental GT.

Design Blending Classic and Modernity

The rear end features a character line that wraps around from the rear fenders, forming a ducktail-like shape. This view shares a certain aesthetic with Aston Martin, another British luxury brand, suggesting a taut and agile design.

The interior embodies both modern ideas and classical motifs. Particularly noteworthy are the instrument cluster, reminiscent of a chronograph, and the shift lever area, where the mechanical linkage is intentionally exposed to emphasize its mechanical feel.

Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6

Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6

Conversely, the dashboard, with its extensive use of large displays to minimize the number of switches, subtly expresses a futuristic, high-tech image while seamlessly integrating with the surrounding classical design. Naturally, the use of premium leather and wood is consistent with other Bentleys.

Given Bentley's ability to achieve high performance even in the comfortable Continental GT, I eagerly anticipate the handling and performance that will be incorporated into the production model of the EXP 10 Speed 6, with its sports car-like styling.

Bentley Mulsanne Speed

Bentley Continental GT Speed

Additionally, the stand at the Geneva Motor Show featured the newContinental GT, which received an engine power upgrade and facelift, the Flying Spur with an enhanced bespoke program, and the high-performance version of the Mulsanne, theMulsanne Speed.