Bentley Celebrates Its 100th Year After Barely Surviving Its 99th
A new concept car holds hints at CEO Adrian Hallmark’s strategy for carrying the exclusive British auto brand into a bigger, stronger future.
The front half of a 1952 Bentley R-Type Continental, one of the brand’s most recognizable models; the rear of the EXP 100 GT concept, which features self-driving technology.
Photo illustration: 731; Cars: Bentley
“Birthdays are a time for reflection, but they’re also a time for planning forward,” says John Paul Gregory, head of exterior design for Bentley Motors Ltd. “To figure out what type of person—or brand—you want to be.”
To celebrate its centenary, on July 10 the exclusive British brand unveiled a concept car, the EXP 100 GT. Two feet longer than a Cadillac Escalade but featuring only two doors, the battery-powered grand tourer boasts sustainably sourced paint and wood. And everything from the extensive battery range to the high-tech window glass is meant to showcase the company’s plan for top-tier motoring in 2035. That vision includes self-driving technology that can still provide a visceral connection to the road and retains the joy of driving.