A fascinating aspect of the remaster segment of car modifying firms is when they pair with OEM suppliers to create bespoke components for these up cycled motoring icons. One of the latest examples to come across our feed are these great-looking seats from Totem Automobili working with Sabelt Sabelt (@sabeltofficial).
Dubbed the “Totem GT Seat”, they’re designed for lightweight performance and comfort according to a recent social media post.
As you might expect, details like color and finish are totally customizable due to the tailored nature of commissioning a car like a Totem Alfa Romeo.
In this case, the seats are specced in Arancio leather by Maxcom Leather (@maxcomleather). Photos attached are by @ricsrgt.
‘The Black Rose’ – a special customer commission, and one of only three right-hand-drive Baturs – revealed by Bentley
The first ever expression of three dimensional printed solid rose gold in the ultimate grand tourer
Specially commissioned Black Rose exterior paint with satin Rose Gold accents, with a matching interior
Customer commissioning process demonstrates the breadth of techniques, colours, materials and finishes that are available through Bentley’s bespoke Mulliner division
Bentley committed to offering industry first manufacturing and craftsmanship to its customers with continued collaboration
Sustainably sourced raw materials reflects commitment to sustainable luxury
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – Bentley has unveiled a truly exceptional example of the co-creation commissioning journey every Batur customer experiences, with a unique result – a car christened ‘The Black Rose’, and themed around the beauty of rose gold.
The Black Rose is one of 18 Baturs being built by Mulliner’s Bespoke Studio, and results from an extensive co-creation journey between the client and Mulliner’s design team. This exquisite car features bespoke ‘Black Rose’ metallic paintwork commissioned by Mulliner exclusively for the customer, with a gloss Beluga upper body. Satin Rose Gold accents adorn the front grille, ‘endless bonnet line’ brightware, mirror caps, lower body kit and 22” tri-tone wheels, which surround the impressive carbon ceramic brakes with black calipers.
Inside, the rich darkness of the hides, fascias and fabrics is punctuated only by the glint of rose gold. An automotive industry first, Bentley’s gold Additive Manufacturing (AM) 3D printing technique adds up to 210 grams of hallmarked 18-karat rose gold to the interior of the coachbuilt coupe at key driver touchpoints. These include the Drive Mode Selector and Bentley’s iconic Organ Stop vent controls on the dashboard, as well as a rose gold insert marker on the steering wheel, exemplifying the level of bespoke detailing on offer.
Surrounding the rose gold elements is a cabin that provides a dark canvas of materials working in perfect harmony – rich Beluga leather, charcoal grey tweed fabric, and veneers painted in Black Rose metallic paint to compliment the exterior.
Industry first in Three Dimensional Printed Gold
Bentley Motors has collaborated with renowned goldsmiths Cooksongold in an industry first to combine new and advanced manufacturing technologies with more traditional materials and finishing techniques. Utilising sustainably sourced raw materials from 100 percent recycled jewellery reflects the manufacturers’ commitment to sustainable luxury.
All parts produced for the Batur are hallmarked in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter as a sign of having solid material authenticity. Additionally, any parts manufactured in 2022 also receive the Jubilee hallmark, celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year.
In 2022, Bentley committed a total of £3 million investment to double the AM capacity at the Crewe factory, converting three dimensional CAD models into physical parts.
Hallmarked 18-karat rose gold is one of many innovative finishes that customers have the choice of exploring in the Batur through Bentley’s bespoke Mulliner division. From aerospace-inspired titanium to sustainable, leather-like textiles made from by-products of the coffee roasting process, choices like these only add to the immense range of leathers, woods and other options. The only limit is the imagination of the individual customer.
The Art of Commissioning
From the Roaring Twenties onwards, Mulliner coachbuilt bespoke bodies for some of the world’s most iconic Bentleys, including the famous R-Type Continental of 1952.
Today, Mulliner operates as Bentley’s bespoke division, delivering everything from personal commissions to coachbuilt cars. It offers an exclusive, face-to-face service for customers who demand the rarest and most exquisite vehicles, often co-designing features and finishes to suit the unique tastes of the individual.
Restricted to just 18 exclusive examples, the Batur signified the start of a design revolution at Bentley, and its success has been followed by the Batur Convertible, unveiled in May 2024. The Batur Convertible is the third car in Mulliner’s Coachbuilt family, following the Bacalar barchetta and the Batur coupe. Strictly limited to just 16 units, the Batur Convertible is the most powerful W12-powered drop-top Grand Tourer in Bentley’s history.
World-leading musicians Anna Lapwood, Tina Guo and Sister Bliss unite as part of Bentley’s Extraordinary Women programme
Union honours International Women’s Day on Saturday 8th March
Trio collaborate to design bespoke Continental GTC, to be handcrafted in Crewe and revealed in Q4 this year
Unique result symbolises collaboration and female empowerment in celebration of International Women’s Day
Extraordinary Talk held for Bentley colleagues, featuring inspiring discussions on creativity, leadership and driving change in male-dominated industries
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – Bentley Motors has welcomed three exceptional, world-leading musical artists to its Crewe headquarters to design a one-of-a-kind Continental GTC, commissioned to honour female empowerment and collaboration. Celebrated organist and conductor Anna Lapwood MBE, world-renowned virtuoso cellist and composer Tina Guo, and Sister Bliss of legendary dance music group Faithless, joined forces to create a bespoke Bentley that embodies creativity, craftsmanship, and inclusivity.
This special commission is part of Bentley’s Extraordinary Women programme, an initiative dedicated to championing gender equality, fostering inclusion, and empowering women globally. Bentley Motors invited these exceptional artists to join the programme in recognition of their remarkable contributions to music, their influence as role models, and their dedication to challenging industry norms.
The unique Continental GTC, tailored through Bentley’s Mulliner division, represents the artistic and personal influences of each musician, blending bespoke design elements that reflect their personal journeys and shared vision. Bentley’s Mulliner design team played a pivotal role in bringing the vision to life, with two leading female designers at the forefront of the project. These industry leading experts ensured every detail of the Continental GTC reflected the essence of the musicians’ artistry. Their expertise in bespoke luxury design continues to set new standards in automotive personalisation, reaffirming Bentley’s dedication to fostering talent across industries, including the arts, automotive, and beyond. The result of this extraordinary collaboration will be revealed in Q4, after the car has been handcrafted by the craftspeople and artisans at Bentley’s Dream Factory in Crewe, England.
Alongside this design project, Bentley hosted the next session of its ‘Extraordinary Talks’ series for its colleagues, where Lapwood, Guo, and Sister Bliss shared inspiring discussions on creativity, leadership, collaboration and driving change in male-dominated industries to an audience of over 100 colleagues. The talk encouraged colleagues to embrace innovation and support a more inclusive future.
Bentley Motors continues to support DEIB initiatives that drive positive change. This unique Continental GTC serves as a striking representation of what can be achieved when talent, vision, and collaboration come together.
Anna Lapwood MBE
Anna Lapwood, awarded an MBE at just 28, has captivated millions on social media and in live audiences by redefining the role of the organ, blending classical music with modern genres and pushing the boundaries of performance. Lapwood has built a following of more than two million across her social media channels, regularly performs concertos with leading symphony orchestras and conductors and collaborated with artists including Raye, Bonobo and Benedict Cumberbatch. Anna’s passion for the organ is matched by her mission to support girls and women in music. She was the first female in Magdalen College Oxford’s 560-year history to be awarded the Organ Scholarship and since then has run regular organ workshops for young players around the country. Having spent some years being encouraged to “play like a man”, Anna is proud and humbled to see so many adopt her hashtag, #playlikeagirl. She is an Associate Artist of the Royal Albert Hall in London, and in 2023 was awarded the prestigious ‘Gamechanger’ Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society.
Today, Anna announces ‘Firedove’, her new album set for release on 30th May via Sony Classical. Recorded through the night at Nidaros Cathedral in Norway, ‘Firedove’ brings together all of Anna’s different musical worlds for organ & choir with classical pieces, film scores, minimalism, new commissions and unexpected pop covers.
Tina Guo
Tina Guo, a Chinese-born American Grammy-nominated virtuoso cellist, is known for her genre-defying approach and collaborations with some of the world’s most celebrated artists. Guo has performed as the featured soloist in scores for major film productions (including Sherlock Holmes, Dunkirk, Inception and many others), TV shows and video games. One of the most recorded solo cellists of all time, Guo recent film projects include DUNE, DUNE 2, Gran Turismo and Top Gun: Maverick, while also delivering music for new video games Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
Alongside her work for film scores, Tina is a classical soloist performing with orchestras across the globe, and has toured as a soloist with her electric cello as part of Hans Zimmer Live since 2016.
Tina also co-composed the Main Theme for Wonder Woman with Hans Zimmer – music that has since become an anthem for female empowerment, and a defining example of her own power and ability. Guo performs on a Gand & Bernadel cello made in Paris, France in 1878, a customized Yamaha SVC-210 electric cello, and an erhu made in Shanghai, China.
Sister Bliss
Sister Bliss, one of the founding members of legendary dance act Faithless, has led a pioneering 17-year career, producing eight albums, six top-ten singles and selling over fifteen million records worldwide, breaking new ground for female DJs. Founding Faithless as the core musician together with producer Rollo and vocalist Maxi Jazz in 1995, Sister Bliss is responsible for the music behind all of Faithless’ most iconic records, including Insomnia – voted the fifth best dance track of all time. Faithless have headlined major festivals across Europe, including four appearances at Glastonbury.
As one of the first female DJs to find incredible mainstream success, Sister Bliss paved the way for a generation of female talent to rise up through the traditionally male-dominated dance music industry. Following a break after the tragic loss of Maxi Jazz in 2022, Sister Bliss announced that Faithless would return to the stage in 2024 after an eight year absence. 2025 will bring continued touring with summer dates across the UK and Europe and the release of Faithless’ next studio album, Champion Sound.
Even more exterior accent colours and options now available for fourth-generation Continental GT and Continental GT Convertible
The 46 billion ‘standard’ ways to configure a Continental GT now becomes truly infinite, thanks to the world of Mulliner
Accent colour options include body kits, wheel designs and door mirrors
Wheel finishes offered in a wide choice of single colour, duo tone, satin and pearlescent shades
Options also available for Flying Spur and Bentayga personalisation
Bespoke co-creations use accent colours to realise the designer’s vision
One in four Bentleys now feature Mulliner bespoke options
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – Bentley customers now have access to an even wider array of exterior personalisation options for the fourth Generation Continental GT and Continental GT convertible. Bentley’s bespoke and coachbuilding division – Mulliner – has expanded its wide range of exterior accent colours, allowing owners to express their individuality and eye for detail through subtle enhancements, each executed with meticulous care by Mulliner’s artisans.
Accent colour options include pinstripes to body kits and door mirrors, and wheel designs painted in single colours, two contrasting colours, or with pinstripe details. Adding to the breadth of choice, wheels can be specified in solid or metallic colours, as well as satin and pearlescent finishes.
Exterior accent colours can complement or contrast the model’s exterior finish. They can also echo an interior finish or any hide colour, uniting interior and exterior colour palettes. For example, the new dark chrome interior finish offered for the Continental GT could be paired with a matching exterior accent colour in dark grey. The Mulliner Personal Commissioning Guide is the gateway to a world of possibilities, enabling each customer to realise their unique vision.
Emphasing style and performance
With their lean, muscular lines the fourth generation Continental GT and Continental GT Convertible readily inspire a personal and dramatic colour specification. For these models, Mulliner now offers a contrast accent pinstripe for the aerodynamic body kit in either gloss or satin finish. The perfectly executed pinstripe traces the outer edges of the front spoiler, sills and rear diffuser. A pinstripe accent colour is also available for mirror caps and wheel rims.
Another contrast option offered by Mulliner is a Beluga black roof finish for the new Continental GT*. This creates a bold, performance-focused look. It recalls the livery of the Pikes Peak limited edition, which celebrated the record-breaking ascent of Pikes Peak in just 10 minutes, 18.4 seconds by a Continental GT.
Subtle details demonstrating individual flair
As with the Continental GT, the contrast accent pinstripe for the Flying Spur traces the lower edge of the body kit. Alternatively, Mulliner offers a carbon fibre body kit, which can either feature the carbon fibre weave beneath a protective clear lacquer finish or be specified in a finish of the owner’s choice. This component, too, can be specified with a contrast accent pinstripe. Wheel rim and mirror cap pinstripes in matching accent colours complete the look.
Bright and bold for Bentayga
Contrast accent options for the Bentayga include pinstripes to mirror caps and wheel rims. Painted brake callipers are offered in a choice of Klein Blue, Signal Yellow and Ice Silver as an alternative to the standard black finish. The Bentayga’s optional carbon fibre body kit can also be specified with a contrast accent pinstripe.
Wheels – the finishing touch
Wheel finishes make a dramatic difference to the visual impact of the finished vehicle; a single colour, perhaps matched to the body finish, create a unified and contemporary look. In contrast, a metallic duotone – with the spokes and pockets of the wheel in contrasting colours – draws the eye to the wheel’s intricate design and creates a more opulent effect. A more subtle effect is achieved through pinstriping around the circumference of the wheel rim. Customers can choose painted wheels in either solid, metallic, duo tone, satin or pearlescent finishes – using the entire paint range or even commissioning their own truly bespoke colour and finish.
Bespoke creations
Accent colours add a key ingredient to Mulliner’s bespoke creations. When fashion designer Supriya Lele collaborated with Mulliner designers to create a one-off Bentayga S, she created a bespoke colour, Nīla Blue, inspired by her Indian heritage. This bespoke hue, subtle yet distinctive, echoes the sense of enduring elegance that characterises her work. The same shade was used as an accent colour on the wheel rims, while the Mulliner White accent colour on the bodykit anticipates the restrained use of white piping in the interior.
Another one-off, co-curated by Bentley Naples, was Mulliner’s first bespoke fourth Generation Continental GT Convertible. Design highlights included sumptuous Damson exterior paint with Moonbeam accent colour, complementing the White main hide, Damson secondary hide and silver seat piping of the interior. This one-off creation was auctioned at the Naples Winter Wine Festival and raised $1.7m for at-risk and underprivileged children.
A growing trend
With one in four Bentleys leaving the Crewe factory now featuring Mulliner content, customer demand for greater individuality and distinction continues to grow. David Parker, Chief Commercial Officer at Mulliner, commented: “Our team of designers, engineers and artisans aim to ensure that each customer’s tastes and personality can be expressed, whether by exclusive paint and hide colours, materials, or bespoke features. The only limits are those of the imagination”.
* Black roof option for Continental GT available when panoramic roof is specified.
What: 2018 BMW M3 competition Color: BMW Individual Laguna Seca Blue(lagunasecablau; metallic Uni; 448; BMW) VIN: WBS8M9C55J5K99887 Mileage: 72,372 miles Price: $47,775 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: Link Location: Yonkers, NY Link: Yonkers Auto Gallery
Arguably underappreciated in it’s day, BMW’s Laguna Seca Blue is a vivid pastel blue that has gained traction in the past decade to the point where it’s not just a frequent Tailored Driver flyer via BMW Individual, it also comes with it’s own surcharge when found on E46 M3s and later Z3 M coupes. Seen here on an M3 competition, Laguna remains quite handsome in our eyes, even if the pictures aren’t the greatest. For just under $48k, it seems like a solid deal for someone trying to get in the Tailored game, and has their heart set on an F80 M3.
What: 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS Color: Paint to Sample Auratium Green(auratiumgrün; non-metallic Uni; 5712; Porsche) VIN: WP0CE2A84RK240054 Mileage: 3,494 miles Price: Call for Price CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Pompano Beach, FL Link: Champion Porsche
This Tailored Driver marks the second instance of Auratium Green to grace our pages, and frankly that’s a shame. This pale pastel green has all the makings of a future classic, yet it’s still as relevant on this 718 Spyder RS as it was on the 356 where it debuted. Inoffensive yet in-your-face, we think anyone who opts for Auratium will be quite pleased with the result.
What: 1994 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Toscana Edition Color: Copper Metallic (camemetallic; metallic Uni; LK2V; Volkswagen) VIN: N/A Mileage: 85,060 km, 52,853 miles Price: € 19,999 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Remscheid, Germany Link: Auto Nord Remscheid
For the most part, Volkswagen doesn’t have an in-house tailor, but this German economy brand is rife with special editions, ranging from sticker pack mediocre to truly special. We’d weight the Golf Cabriolet Toscana special edition more on the truly special side of that spectrum.
What makes it so interesting? For starters, it was sold as a final runout of the so-called “Mk1 Cabriolet” built by Karmann. It’s a version and a color that North America never received, and with a March 1994 build date, this car was built after Volkswagen of America ceased importing Cabriolets.
The Toscana came in several distinctive paint colors – Bordeaux Red Pearl, Brilliant Black Metallic, Lieder (Lilac) Metallic, Pearl Grey Metallic and Came (Copper) Metallic you seen here on this example. The cars came with interior code #28, including height adjustable front sport seats trimmed in a set black sport cloth and fabric combination standard across all colors, MFA instrument cluster, leather-wrapped non-airbag steering wheel and shift boot, and Gamma stereo-cassette radio with cassette holder.
Each car would have had 15-inch Le Castellet alloy wheels, though this one shows what look like 15-inch BBS RA wheels that Volkswagen / Karmann had offered on other Cabriolet models but likely weren’t original to this car. We wouldn’t rule their originality out entirely though as this is a very late production car and it’s entirely possible Karmann was fitting whatever they still had in stock.
We note this car has an aftermarket stereo head unit, but is otherwise relatively pristine and reflecting its remarkably low mileage.
Special thanks to Cabby-Info.com for the very detailed index of information on the Toscana.
What: 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron Color: Believed to be Audi exclusive NATO Olive(NATO Olivegrün; non-Metallic UNI; L6H; Porsche) VIN: WA16CBGE5RB050760 Mileage: 5,221 miles Price: $82,995 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: Pictured Location: Palo Alto, CA Link: Audi Palo Alto
Now this is exciting! Audi’s Q8 e-tron is pretty rare, moving just under 6,000 units in 2024 when counting both standard and S variants. When was the last time you saw an SQ8 e-tron in the wild? Exactly. Beyond that, this particular SQ8 e-tron is finished in what we assume to be NATO Olive Green. Why assumed? Well, we’ve reached out to a number of Dealer and Corporate contacts, and can’t seem to get much in the way of a confirmation. Adding to the mystery is the CarFax- one owner, 5,211 miles, and claimed delivery in Virginia (no Dealer specified)n zero service history and now on offer at Audi Palo Alto. Why is this significant? For starters, Audi’s US has offices in Virginia, Michigan, and California, with California being home to both the Design center in Malibu, and their Innovation center, conveniently located just 10 short miles from Audi Palo Alto. Finally, Audi corporate employees can keep their car for roughly this amount of time before trading for the next. So is this an ex-executive Tailored Driver? Signs point to it being incredibly likely.
What: 2021 BMW M5 Competition Color: BMW Individual Nardo Grey(nardograu; non-Metallic UNI; P6K; BMW) VIN: WBS83CH01MCH50510 Mileage: 26,342 miles Price: $81,900 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: Pictured Location: Boston, MA Link: Boston Motorsport Maserati
The BMW M5 is an absolute bruiser, and this particular example finished in BMW Individual Nardo Grey certainly pulls no punches. More than 600 horsepower are available for whatever your heart desires, and the Executive Package’s ventilated seats ensure fatigue will be kept to a minimum as you commute to work, or attempt a new Cannonball record. In all it’s a sharp package that would be a great addition to any Tailored Driver’s fleet.
What: 2024 Aud S5 Sportback Prestige Color: Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue(nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi) VIN: WAUB4CF51RA032073 Mileage: 13,303 miles Price: $67,000 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Audi Grapevine, Grapevine, TX Link: Audi Grapevine
With the B9 Audi range having ended production to make way for the B10-generation of A5, enthusiasts seeking a fine example of the outgoing model are left having to fend for what’s on the market. So, when we find a compelling car like the S5 Sportback and it’s painted an even more compelling color like Nogaro Blue, you have our attention.
This example also has Audi’s Prestige Package equipment level, plus the S Sport Package, Black Optic Plus Package, Navigation Package, Convenience Package and Audi Guard Protection Kit.
Red leather may be a polarizing choice to pair with Nogaro Blue, though we’d still argue it’s very attractive.
