Wanderlust

Tag: Bentley

  • Pretty in Pink: Bentley Bentayga Now Available in 111+ Exterior Colours 

    Pretty in Pink: Bentley Bentayga Now Available in 111+ Exterior Colours 

    • Mulliner co-creates vibrant specification for customer, with a Bentayga EWB Azure in bespoke Candy Pink
    • A palette of 111 exterior paint colours are now available, as well as the possibility to go beyond create a unique shade
    • Blackline Specification, privacy glass and 22” painted wheels, contrast eloquently with eye-catching Candy Pink
    • Interior cabin includes Cherry Blossom leather and thread, the latest wellness seating features and technology from Bang & Olufsen

    [source: Bentley]

    Crewe, UK – When the 46 billion different colour and trim combinations available through Bentley’s mainstream palette don’t meet a customer’s vision for their Bentley, Mulliner – Bentley’s bespoke studio – is on-hand to create something totally unique and a one-off. After owning a number of Bentleys, an American customer wanted their new car in a precise shade of her favourite colour: pink.  Mulliner was happy to fulfil her dream supporting the personal commissioning of a bold and vibrant Bentayga Extended Wheelbase (EWB) painted in the eye-catching shade of Candy Pink.

    The exterior is teamed with an interior accented with Cherry Blossom hide and matching thread that even extends to the embroidered Bentley Wings on the seats.  And naturally the customer specified a Mulliner Bottle Cooler with frosted glass soft close door, installed alongside the rear Airline seat for those moments when she chooses to be driven.

    The Bentayga is an example of the growing trend among Bentley customers for personal commissions with 70% specifying at least one Mulliner feature in their car, and a clear result of the free choice that a Mulliner commission provides.

    Bespoke personalisation

    Going beyond the tens of billions of specifications possible from the Bentley options list, Bentley customers are encouraged to participate in the design of unique vehicles, as part of a process that Mulliner terms ‘Co-Creation’. Vibrant colour schemes, bespoke materials and customised features are welcomed as a challenge in the Mulliner workshops by their team of designers and skilled artisans.

    With a colour palette of 111 exterior paints including solids, metallics, pearlescent and satins, there is already a significant choice. Pinks are an exception, but with the expertise of the Mulliner team, the customer’s vision  was brought to life using Candy Pink and Blackline Specification provides a contemporary contrast to the exterior of the car. Door handles, exhaust tailpipes, brightware, lamp bezels, matrix and lower grilles, roof rails, and wing vents are all finished in gloss black, with tinted rear privacy glass completing the dramatic exterior look.

    The interior is a showcase of craftsmanship, using Cherry Blossom hide and thread to complement the car’s exterior. Cherry Blossom leather was applied to the seats, centre console, doors, gear lever and steering wheel. A Bentayga EWB takes approximately 132 hours to manufacture, of which 24 hours are required to paint the body-in-white, and a further 18 hours to produce the trim panels and wood set for the beautiful cabin.

    A bespoke interior colour split allowed for the Cherry Blossom thread to be applied to all aspects of the cabin, including the embroidered Bentley Wings. Cherry Blossom leather can even been seen edging the 100 per cent pure wool deep-pile floor mats. A specially-selected wool variety is used due to its cleanliness and purity in colour which is tested to ensure quality standards are met before use.

    When it comes to craftsmanship, new colleagues gain knowledge and skills from Bentley’s Master Trainers in order to reach the upmost levels of ability, and to learn the vast array of techniques required to craft Bentley’s interiors to the highest of standards.

    Indulgent rear cabin

    The Bentayga EWB offers the ultimate in rear passenger indulgence. With a larger cabin space than any other luxury competitor, it was natural for this personally commissioned Bentayga EWB Azure, to include the most luxurious features.

    Firstly, the Bentley Airline Seat Specification – the most advanced seat ever fitted to a car, with 22-ways of adjustment and auto climate sensing system and postural adjustment technology. The system can apply 177 individual pressure changes across six fully independent pressure zones over a three-hour period improving comfort and minimising fatigue throughout a journey.

    Housed between the rear seats, the Mulliner Bottle Cooler provides a fully integrated drinks cooler for a 750 ml bottle, with frosted glass soft close door, and two bespoke handcrafted Cumbria Crystal flutes.

    Enhancing the rear cabin area further, is the inclusion of rear seat entertainment and ‘Bang & Olufsen for Bentley’. The iconic design of the B&O speaker finished in aluminium with holes drilled in variable sizes and angles and shaped to a uniquely-designed Fibonacci hole pattern. The angled holes are placed as tightly as possible to achieve the best acoustic transparency and to build a contrast to the glass-pearl blasted surface.

    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 clients who demand the rarest and most exquisite vehicles, often co-designing features and finishes to suit the unique tastes of the individual.

    The customer is said to be delighted with her purchase.  Rich Pepe from Bentley Palmyra, the supplying retailer, commented: “It was great collaborating with Mulliner and I look forward to commissioning the next truly bespoke Bentley.”

  • Bentley Blower Jnr Enters Production

    Bentley Blower Jnr Enters Production

    If there is an upside for petrol enthusiasts in these early stages of the EV era, it must certainly be what appears to be an ongoing trend of marque backed remastering and at times recreating of the classics. The idea of mega expensive, customer bespoke and meticulously built remasters brought about by the likes of Singer and their ilk nowadays isn’t lost on OEM manufactures. From Porsche Classic-built 993 Speedsters to classic Land Rover Discoveries and more, it’s a great time to be in the highly exclusive club of intelligent reuse and reimagining. Take for example the Bentley Blow Jnr.

    The firm behind the Blower Jnr is Hedley Studios, though the creation of building an 85% scale recreation of the 1929 Bentley Blower has been done entirely in conjunction with Bentley. Unlike companies like Singer that use an existing homologated chassis and rebuild it, the Blower Jnr is technically a new creation.

    Effectively, it’s an electrified and road legal car that captures the spirit of the original Blower Bentley that is itself nearly a century old. So yes, it’s a new thing, and it’s just completed 18 months of on-road testing in order to refine and prove the design. That completed, Bentley has signed off on production of the cars. The first deliveries are expected to begin this summer.

    Further details can be found in the original press release and gallery below.

    PHOTO GALLERY

    PRESS RELEASE, source: Bentley

    Blower Jnr completes sign-off and enters production

    • Hedley Studios’ scaled, road-legal recreation of the iconic Bentley Blower enters production
    • Sign-off follows extensive road-testing programme, culminating in 650-mile event on Channel Island of Jersey
    • 40 mph island-wide speed limit and stunning scenery deliver perfect proving ground for Blower Jnr’s charm, drivability and character
    • First customer deliveries expected in late summer

    (Crewe and Bicester, 29 May 2025) Following the completion of a joint sign-off event, Hedley Studios has begun production of its first road-legal, driveable piece of automotive artwork, the Bentley Blower Jnr.

    Designed and developed in conjunction with Bentley Motors, Blower Jnr is an 85% scale recreation of the 1929 Bentley Blower. This electrified, road legal creation carries the spirit on the original, near-100-year-old legendary Bentley to a whole new generation, and the Blower Jnr has now completed 18 months of on-road testing to refine and prove the design.

    The final sign-off took place on the coastal roads and historic lanes of Jersey – the largest of the Channel Islands and a place steeped in natural beauty. With narrow roads, an island-wide speed limit of 40 mph and a total area of just 45 miles, Jersey was the perfect place for a smaller-scale electric vehicle to complete its development journey, and one where Blower Jnr’s character and charm could be appreciated to the full.

    Covering over 650 miles across three days, a select group of representatives from both Hedley Studios and Bentley Motors were joined by international media to evaluate the Bentley Blower Jnr’s full on-road driving potential, set against the stunning backdrops and vistas of the Jersey coastline.

    The completion of these test drives marks an important step in the Bentley Blower Jnr’s development, as production of customer models gets underway. Utilising meticulous, hand-crafting techniques, Hedley Studios’ team of artisans will hand-beat the panels of the Bentley Blower Jnr’s bodywork, while expert engineers assemble the fully-electric 48-volt powertrain.

    Only 349 examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr will go into production, with prospective owners able to customise their commission to their own individual style. Hedley Studios’ team work closely with each client to curate a Blower Jnr that is bespoke to their taste, from specific colour finishes to a choice of racing number.

    This personalisation process is further enhanced through the use of the Hedley Studios configurator, in which clients can let their imagination run wild with almost limitless levels of personalisation at their fingertips. A range of curated style packs provide a baseline for Blower Jnr personalisation, making each example a truly unique piece of automotive artwork.

    Ben Hedley, CEO and Founder of Hedley Studios, comments:

    “Heading into production of the Bentley Blower Jnr marks a seminal moment for our brand, as we bring to life our very first road-legal piece of automotive art. Our team of engineers and craftspeople have worked tirelessly to design and craft the Bentley Blower Jnr, and in close collaboration with clients around the world, they have begun the design process of some wonderfully unique examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr. With only 349 examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr to be built, we’re very excited to embark on this production process and see these pieces of handcrafted art out on the roads. The sign-off process in Jersey was a wonderful sight to see, and navigating the picturesque and undulating roads of the coastline behind the wheel of the Bentley Blower Jnr would have been an enviable experience for those involved.”

    We’re anticipating that the first customer deliveries will commence in just a matter of months, and we’re just as excited as our clients are to see them behind the wheel and out on the road.”

    Mike Sayer, Head of Product Communications and the Bentley Heritage Collection for Bentley Motors, adds:

    “From the moment that we first took the original 1929 Bentley Blower Team Car #2 to Hedley Studios, we knew this project was going to deliver something truly special. Years later, and with thousands of road miles under the wheels of the development prototypes – appropriately called EXPs as the first Bentleys were – we’re ready to put the car into production.”

    Hedley Studios has reimagined a car that sits at the very heart of Bentley’s history and heritage, with extraordinary attention to detail and craftsmanship. The Blower Jnr may be smaller in scale, but its presence, performance and sense of occasion invoke the spirit of the original. We can’t wait to see these cars on the road soon, and look forward to taking delivery of the first car to join our Heritage Collection.”

    The Bentley Blower Jnr

    Blower Jnr is a collaboration between Hedley Studios and Bentley’s  Heritage Collection. The original Team Car from 1929 – insured for £25m – was used by Hedley Studios to master the design of Blower Jnr, with details recreated at a sizeable 85 per cent scale. The result is a vehicle that will have even experts looking twice – with the car measuring 3.7 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. Unlike Hedley Studios’ other products, Blower Jnr is fully road legal and designed specifically to be used on the road and is perhaps the most sophisticated city car ever built.

    Crafted by hand to the same standards as any Bentley, and adorned with beautiful details all inspired by the original Team car, Blower Jnr is built around a 48V electric powertrain with a 15 kW (20 bhp) motor, meaning a top speed of 45 mph / 72 km/h in the UK and EU (25 mph / 40 km/h in the USA due to legislation) and an expected range of around 65 miles, with tandem seating for two adults.

    Beyond the headline figures, the beauty of Blower Jnr is in the recreation and repurposing of details from the original car. The frame is painted steel, to which an authentic chassis specification is attached. Leaf springs and scaled-down, period-correct friction dampers bring a comfortable ride, while Brembo disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear provide the stopping power. The electric motor is mounted across the rear axle, while the batteries and drive electronics are all housed in a hidden undertray.

    The bodywork is crafted in two sections, and while the rear body structure is crafted in carbon fibre rather than being an ash frame, it’s covered in impregnated fabric, just as the original. The bonnet, with its multiple cooling louvres, is hand-crafted in aluminium using traditional techniques and fastened with beautiful leather buckled bonnet straps. The two-person cockpit is in a 1+1 layout, with a central adjustable driving position and the passenger travelling behind in the rear seat. An optional bespoke weekend bag fits behind, in the scaled down and repurposed fuel tank complete with lockable latch.

    At the front of the car, the supercharger now houses the charging port that connects the onboard charger to any Type 1 or Type 2 socket, and is surrounded by the famous Bentley mesh grille, in an authentic nickel-plated radiator housing.

    At first glance the dashboard looks like a scaled-down replica of the original, with Engine Turned Aluminium forming the dashboard itself. The fuel pressurisation hand pump has been repurposed as the drive mode selector, with a choice of Comfort, Bentley or Sport. Forward, Neutral and Reverse are selected via a lever that looks and feels like the ignition advance control from the original Blower. Other switchgear for the headlights and indicators copies the form and materiality of the magneto switches from the Team Car, while the battery charge gauge recreates the original ammeter.

    More information on the Blower Jnr can be found at:

    www.bentleyblowerjnr.com

  • Largest Fleet of Bespoke Bentley Flying Spurs Commissioned by World Class Resort

    Largest Fleet of Bespoke Bentley Flying Spurs Commissioned by World Class Resort

    • Nine bespoke Flying Spurs take pride of place as The Galaxy Macau’s chauffeur-driven house cars
    • Personalised, luxury sedans prepared by Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke division
    • Striking visual signature in Pale Brodgar exterior paint with bespoke craftsmanship
    • Hand-crafted interiors include unique Mulliner quilt patterns, special embroidery and hotel specific details, distinguishing the fleet of nine vehicles
    • This latest commission reflects the growing appeal for Bentley within the luxury hospitality industry for chauffeur-driven travel

    [source: Bentley]

    Crewe, England – Bentley Motors proudly announces its latest global collaboration with a leading luxury hotel, underscoring the growing demand for luxury, chauffeur-driven experiences. The Galaxy Hotel in Macau, China – one of the world’s largest Forbes double five-star properties – has taken delivery of the largest fleet of bespoke Flying Spur Mulliner sedans to date with an official handover ceremony at the hotel on 29 April. The nine handcrafted four-door Bentleys extend the resort’s legacy of superlative transport and bespoke luxury experiences, providing guests with a seamless blend of performance, elegance, and unparalleled craftsmanship.

    Mulliner – Bentley Motors’ bespoke division – continues to set the standard in handcrafted automotive luxury. The Flying Spur Mulliner offers a striking visual distinction, combining bespoke craftsmanship with the Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain as standard. The Galaxy Hotel collaborated with the team at Mulliner to meticulously design the luxury sedans, offering a sense of timeless elegance crafted at the renowned Dream Factory in Crewe.

    The Pinnacle in Automotive Craftsmanship
    The new Flying Spur Mulliner is built around Bentley’s new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, endowing it with a breadth of capabilities. Capable of serene, silent progress in pure EV mode, the four-door sedan can travel for up to 47 miles (76 km), ideal for Zero Emission Zones or city travel, and with CO2 emissions 90 per cent lower than the previous generation Flying Spur Speed. The full electric mode can be deployed at speeds of up to 87 mph / 140 km/h, with throttle applications of up to 75 per cent for a quiet and refined driving experience.    

    The Mulliner versions define the pinnacle of the Bentley Flying Spur. On the exterior, the Pale Brodgar Mulliner paintwork is detailed with the signature emblem of The Galaxy Hotel, stenciled and hand-painted on the two front doors of each sedan. Custom Galaxy Hotel puddle lamps have also been commissioned to welcome guests as they step inside the cabin.

    An Elegant Interior with Attention to Detail
    In the interior, all four seats come specified with Wellness Seating as standard. This includes Seat Auto Climate and Postural Adjust, which measures and maintains the perfect body temperature via zoned heating and ventilation, and soothingly and seamlessly varies the pressure on the occupants’ muscles throughout their journey to ensure fatigue is minimised. The attention to detail is highlighted further with hand stitched logos of The Galaxy Hotel to the seats. The rear passenger doors open to reveal a further hand stitched emblem detail that tucks away neatly once the Soft-Close Doors shut effortlessly.

    Luxury Journeys
    Following the successful collaboration with The Peninsula London which saw four Bentayga hybrids become part of their in-house chauffeur fleet. Building on this relationship, The Peninsula Hong Kong commissioned a further eight Bentayga EWB Azures, now part of its house car offering. The Galaxy Macau Hotel, now securing the largest fleet of Flying Spurs in one location, reflects the growing appeal of Bentley among luxury hotels, who increasingly view the marque as the ultimate expression of refined, chauffeur-driven travel.

    About Bentley
    From W.O. Bentley, who founded Bentley Motors in 1919, to the current team of over 4,000 dedicated colleagues, the company’s extraordinary cars have always been designed and built by exceptional people using only the finest of materials. From modest beginnings, Bentley has moved from strength to strength – in a relentless pursuit of both luxury and performance. W.O.’s vision continues to guide Bentley’s beliefs, actions and ambitions. Located in Crewe, England and owned by the Volkswagen Group since 1998, Bentley Motors remains the definitive British luxury car company, crafting the world’s most desirable high performance grand tourers. Bentley’s colleagues design, engineer and handcraft five bespoke models: Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Bentayga EWB. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations and engineering expertise is unique to Bentley. The luxury marque is creating a future driven by new technologies, materials, fuels and skills, in the pursuit of a progressive, new world: one in which the highest levels of luxury mobility are achieved with sustainable methods. The company’s Beyond100+ strategy promises to revolutionise the company to be exclusively electric from 2035.

  • Heritage Leather Brings Historic Look and Feel to the Modern Bentley

    Heritage Leather Brings Historic Look and Feel to the Modern Bentley

    • Latest Continental GT showcases Heritage Leather upholstery matching Factory Works Speed Six Continuation
    • Celebrating 106 years of Bentley leather upholstery, from 3 Litre to the latest Continental GT 
    • Heritage Leather can be specified through Mulliner’s personal commissioning
    • Beautiful: quilting, fluting, perforations, embroidery and blind embossing showcase the skills of Bentley craft team 
    • Sustainable: a natural product, created using low environmental impact processes
    • Enduring: many pre-war Bentleys still wear their original, patinated leather upholstery with pride

    [source: Bentley]

    Crewe, England – Heritage Leather, first developed by Mulliner, Bentley’s in-house personal commissioning division, for the Continuation reincarnations of the Blower and Speed Six, can now be specified on Bentley’s latest models.  Supplied by Bridge of Weir, the Heritage Leather gives the interior of a modern Bentley the look and feel of one from the 1930s with a two-tone finish and haircell grain.  It is offered currently in two colours traditional for the period and identified in original records of historic Bentleys: Ox Blood Red,  and Parsons Napier Green.

    To showcase this new tailoring option, Bentley commissioned for itself an example of the latest fourth generation Bentley Continental GT Mulliner to mirror the Factory Works Speed Six Continuation Series. Though separated by 95 years of evolution, if only two years of development, both cars are finished in the same Bedford Grey exterior paint, and  feature Heritage Leather upholstery in Ox Blood red. 

    During the development and testing of the Blower Continuation Series, the hide provided the best tactility and authentic manufacturing techniques for the development of Mulliner’s continuation series, delivering the same durability rating as found in today’s modern Bentley. 

    A select few colours, traditional for the period of the 1920’s and 1930’s were identified in original records of specifications (such as Vanden Plas) studied at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. These include, Ox Blood Red and Parsons Napier Green. 

    With many Cricklewood-era and pre-war Bentleys still sporting their original upholstery, the enduring qualities of leather make it a truly sustainable natural material. A Bentley’s upholstery doesn’t wear out; it wears in. 

    Staying faithful to the upholstery techniques of the 1920s and 1930s, the seats in the Factory Works Speed Six are fluted, while the door inners feature a simple embossed B emblem. In contrast, the Continental GT’s interior showcases the full range of skills offered by Mulliner, including quilted and embroidered seat uppers, diamond patterned perforations, contrast embroidery and piping. 

    In the era of the original Speed Six, leather upholstery was often treated with natural oils, waxes, or even varnishes to achieve a smooth, glossy surface.  Mulliner worked with its suppliers to replicate this higher sheen on the hide for the two matched Bentleys. Subtle variations of shade also help to create the visual impression of age-patinated leather. 

    Bridge of Weir have provided for the automotive industry for over a century, and produce the world’s lowest carbon leather thanks to their responsible sourcing, 100% traceability and innovative circular manufacturing process, which contributes to an independently verified Life Cycle Analysis score of 8kg CO2e/m2 on average, the lowest in the world published for leather.

    Bentley Motors works closely with its suppliers to ensure that they adhere to rigorous environmental standards, including responsible water and energy use, waste management, and chemical control. The company’s craft teams treat this natural material with respect and the result of their work can be expected to last for decades, or perhaps even a century. As an upholstery material leather is sustainable, durable and above all beautiful – qualities it shares with every Bentley.

  • Bentley Batur Convertible Makes Public Debut in Dubai

    Bentley Batur Convertible Makes Public Debut in Dubai

    • Bentley Motors unveils Batur Convertible at an exclusive launch event in Dubai 
    • Handcrafted by Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke division, it is the third coachbuilt Bentley of the modern era
    • An evolution of Bentley’s DNA, capturing the essence of open-air Grand Touring in a progressive design born from Batur
    • Each example is one of the last ever Bentleys to use the iconic 750PS W12 engine
    • Follows the two-door Bacalar barchetta and Batur coupe

    [source: Bentley]

    Dubai, UAE –  The Batur Convertible, the third coachbuilt Bentley of the modern era, has made its global debut at an exclusive event held in Bab Al Shams in Dubai, UAE. 

    With only 16 individually numbered cars being produced, the Batur Convertible is a true collector’s piece. Each will feature the most potent iteration of Bentley’s iconic W12 engine, a 750 PS, hand-assembled 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged masterpiece set to end production this summer, making this one of the last Bentleys to ever house this legendary powertrain. Beyond its extraordinary performance, the Batur Convertible offers limitless personalisation, with every detail tailored to reflect the vision and individuality of its owner.

    Design details

    The exterior of the Batur Convertible Engineering Car, currently in Dubai, is another demonstration of the art of the possible with the Mulliner Bespoke Studio. It is a showcase of dynamic colour transitions and high-performance materials, brought to life through its Midnight Emerald exterior paint and High Gloss Carbon Fibre finishes. At the front, the grille stands out with a bold Satin Dark Titanium finish throughout, with the exception of the grille matrix, where a Gloss Mandarin to Gloss Beluga fade creates a striking visual transition.

    At the heart of this bold exterior is the distinctive Batur Racing Stripe, finished in Gloss Porpoise and flanked with Gloss Mandarin outer stripes, both hide-matched to the interior leather, creating a seamless visual connection between the exterior and the cabin. 

    The cabin echoes the exterior, with Cumbrian Green and Porpoises leather being accented with Mandarin stitching and piping, complemented with machined titanium Organ Stops and Bullseye vents. The veneer is Mulliner’s exquisite “guitar fade”, where a transition of colour and texture spans the width of the cabin, from gloss Beluga to high gloss carbon fibre, and back to gloss Beluga, and finished with the unique laser-etched audio signature of this W12 engine.

    Bespoke two-seat grand touring

    Bentley has a rich history of open-cockpit cars, from the very first Bentley of 1919, through the company’s foundation years in the 1920s, to the most recent – the Bacalar.

    The architecture of the Batur Convertible has allowed Mulliner’s designers to seize the opportunity to create a theme that not only blends the design of the Bacalar and Batur but includes the versatility of a convertible. The designers also chose to highlight the two-seater character with a ‘wraparound’ cockpit inspired by the design of the Bacalar.

    Personal and uniquely commissioned

    The Mulliner Bespoke Studio will co-create every Batur Convertible with each client, utilising our exclusive in-house commissioning software. It adopts a unique ‘off menu’ approach to commissioning that allows any part of the car to be customised in colour and surface finish, bringing each vision to life.

    Endless samples of unique materials bring texture and feel to the process, with the resulting commissions being truly individual and created by the client, limited only by their imagination. 

    Paint choice is infinite, starting with the full Mulliner colour palette and travelling beyond into fully bespoke paint and even hand-painted elements. The exterior brightware can be any mix of light and dark, satin or gloss, or even titanium. Another subtle option available is a graduated contrast colour to the front grille, allowing for a vibrant ombre effect.

    In the cabin, the highly exclusive option of 3D printed rose gold includes key driver touch points, such as the Bentley Drive Mode Selector, encircling the start/stop button and used to change chassis modes. The centrepiece of an exquisite cabin, the dial complements the design of the front grille. Rose gold can also be applied to Bentley’s iconic Organ Stop vent controls in the dashboard, as well as on the steering wheel itself.

    Bentley Mulliner has collaborated with expert goldsmiths based in the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, England, where jewellery has been made for centuries, to craft these unique parts. This special collaboration highlights Bentley’s ability to combine new, advanced manufacturing technologies with more traditional materials and finishing techniques.

    Exclusive and powerful

    Each Batur Convertible will be handcrafted over the course of several months in Mulliner’s workshop at Bentley’s carbon-neutral factory in Crewe, England. The Batur features the most powerful version of Bentley’s iconic W12, a 750 PS, hand-assembled 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine that has metaphorically and literally powered Bentley’s success for the last two decades. 

    For the W12 powertrain that the Batur Convertible shares with its coupe counterpart, a revised intake system, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers, and extensive recalibration enable 750 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, to deliver exceptional performance for this pinnacle grand tourer. This development of the engine is in celebration of its achievements over 20 years, over which it has been developed to produce nearly 40% more power while improving fuel economy by 25%.

  • Bentley Deploys AI Tech in Quest for Leather Protection

    Bentley Deploys AI Tech in Quest for Leather Protection

    • British marque introduces revolutionary AI-powered Hide Inspection programme
    • Pioneering new process elevates craftsmanship and sustainability at the brand’s Dream Factory in Crewe – a key ambition of Bentley’s Beyond100+ strategy
    • Automated AI and camera technology detect hide imperfections invisible to the naked eye
    • Sustainability of Bentley’s luxury leather trim enhanced by reduced waste, cost and optimised hide usage – a reduction of 135.7 kg CO₂ emissions per car

    [source: Bentley]

    Crewe, England – Bentley Motors today revealed ground-breaking AI technology that will enhance the craftsmanship, sustainability and innovation of the brand’s iconic car interiors, a fundamental part of Bentley’s Beyond100+ strategy. The AI-powered Hide Inspection system will revolutionise the way leather is assessed and selected for use, reducing waste and cost while detecting tiny imperfections otherwise unseen by the naked eye.

    This pioneering innovation further supports Bentley’s ambition to be the future benchmark of luxury car manufacturing with ultra-flexible, hyper personalised facilities that combine craftsmanship and digital manufacturing concepts.    

    Around nine hides are required for a luxury Bentayga SUV interior alone but as a natural product, all leather is prone to imperfections. That includes insect bites, holes and scars that ultimately affect overall trim quality. Bentley’s innovative new process uses advanced camera technology and artificial intelligence to ensure every cut of leather selected is of the very highest standard.

    The state-of-the-art technique – the first time it has been adopted in the Volkswagen Group – saves the painstaking process of inspecting and monitoring each hide by hand from Bentley’s highly-skilled colleagues. 

    However, AI-Powered Hide Inspection does not entirely replace the skills of Bentley’s highly-trained craftspeople. By automating the manual inspection process, the system provides the highest quality hide, which craftspeople can then use to deliver intricate hand-sewn detailing – the finishing that makes a Bentley cabin truly unique. 

    The new Hide Inspection system also allows for faster processing, as multiple hides can be inspected at once. The programme works alongside existing cutting processes to optimise leather use for over 200 trim parts per car. At the same time, the resulting reduced waste and CO₂ emissions, a reduction of 135.7 kg CO₂ emissions per car,  further support Bentley’s industry-leading Beyond100+ strategy.

    Andreas Lehe, Member of the Board for Manufacturing at Bentley Motors, said:

    “Our car interiors are crafted from the finest natural leather. The investment in this pioneering new technology further enhances the sustainability of Bentley’s luxurious cabins, reducing waste and optimising leather usage. Hide Inspection also showcases how cutting-edge innovation and Bentley’s traditional craftsmanship techniques can co-exist side-by-side.

    “Hide Inspection is just one of many industry-first innovations at our Dream Factory in Crewe, where all Bentley models are built. Our Beyond100+ strategy will see the company reinvent its entire product range to support a more sustainable, electrified future. That includes Bentley’s new digital, zero environmental impact manufacturing and quality facility, as well as the development of our first BEV (battery electric vehicle), one that will set the benchmark for the luxury cars of the future.”    

  • Black Wings and Black Edition for Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur Families

    Black Wings and Black Edition for Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur Families

    • Black Edition now available for Continental GT, Continental GTC and Flying Spur
    • Highlights include black Bentley ‘Winged B’ badges and boot lettering for the first time, gloss black 10-spoke wheels and Blackline brightware
    • Specification combines 680 PS, 930 Nm High Performance Hybrid powertrain with the GT Speed’s Performance Active Chassis and Sports Exhaust
    • Mandarin brake callipers available as a no-cost option
    • Interior features include Black Edition embroidered upholstery and treadplates, Piano Black trim and contrast stitching
    • Production limited to 400 models worldwide

    [source: Bentley]

    Crewe, England Bentley’s new Black Edition models combine the dark, daring and assertive visual impact of the Blackline specification with a 680 PS powertrain and chassis combination oriented towards high performance. Unique exterior features include new gloss black ‘Winged B’ badges front and rear, Mandarin brake callipers and Black Edition badging, combining to reveal the darker side of the Continental GT and Flying Spur families. Production at Bentley’s Dream Factory will be limited to 400 examples total, worldwide. 

    Black Edition models combine the new High Performance Hybrid powertrain with the Bentley Performance Active Chassis; the latter feature was previously only available for Speed models. The powertrain, which unites a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with a powerful E-motor, delivers a combined 680 PS and 930 Nm, for performance that betters the previous-generation GT Speed.

    Design highlights

    The new Black Edition models feature Bentley’s Blackline specification, creating a subtle, sleek, stealthy visual impression. Individual features include gloss black matrix grille and bumper grilles, Beluga black front splitter, and gloss black brightware. Uniquely, Black Edition models also carry gloss black ‘Winged B’ badges and Bentley lettering along with Black Edition badges on the front fenders. The 22” ten-spoke alloy wheels are finished in gloss black, though a duo-tone black and bright machined finish is offered as an option. Striking a brilliant note of contrast, Mandarin orange brake callipers are a no-cost option on all three models.

    Black Edition Continental GT and GTCs feature the Harmony single headlamp design (and welcome animation) that recently made its debut on the core and Azure models. 

    Interiors feature the Black Edition namestyle embroidered on the front seat headrests of the Continental models and all four headrests for the Flying Spur. Also included are Piano Black veneer trim, Black Edition treadplates and contrast stitching in a colour of the owner’s choice. Comfort seats, mood lighting, the Bentley Rotating Display, sports pedals and the Mood Lighting specification are all part of the extensive specification.

    Powertrain and chassis

    All Black Edition models are powered by Bentley’s new High Performance Hybrid, which unites a 520 PS 4.0l V8 engine with a 190 PS E-Motor. They combine to develop a peak output of 680 PS and 930 Nm of torque. The 0-100km/h sprint takes just 3.7 seconds for the Continental GT, while the Continental GT Convertible and Flying Spur post 3.9 seconds for the same benchmark. All models have the capability to travel 50 miles / 80 km in electric-only driving. Also included in the Black Edition specification is the Sports Exhaust, which intensifies the charismatic snarl of Bentley’s 4.0-litre V8 engine at full throttle. 

    The Bentley Performance Active Chassis technology of the new Black Edition models has until now only been offered with the 782 PS Speed models. This allows drivers to enjoy an even greater range of dynamic capabilities, from Comfort and Bentley modes to a performance-focused Sport mode. In Sport mode, Bentley Performance Active Chassis can send up to 100 per cent of the power to the rear wheels, providing natural, intuitive and agile driving dynamics. Sport mode also effects a marked difference in rear wheel steering calibration together with firmer damping and anti-roll bar calibrations.  This gives the driver a feeling of more direct steering and greater agility for a deeper sense of connection with the car. 

  • The Victoris Bentley Bentaygas: New Paint Technology Creates Unique Cars for Charity

    The Victoris Bentley Bentaygas: New Paint Technology Creates Unique Cars for Charity

    • Three one-of-one Bentaygas showcase new graduated paint technology, commissioned by Bentley Dallas for its Victoris philanthropic initiative, 
    • Close collaboration between Bentley Dallas, artist Stephen Seltzer and Bentley Mulliner
    • Net sale proceeds donated to Children’s Cancer Fund, Cook Children’s Medical Centre, and Children’s Health charities
    • Bespoke paint-fading process pioneered at Bentley’s Excellence Centre for Bespoke Paint
    • Exterior finishes alone took 70 hours of painstaking work per vehicle
    • One-off features include Victoris pinstripe device on fascia, headrest embroidery and badging

    [source: Bentley]

    Crewe, England – Children’s charities in Texas will soon be benefitting from a $75,000 windfall, thanks to a philanthropic initiative from Bentley Dallas. The Victoris programme, its name representing triumph over adversity, takes the form of three exceptional Bentaygas whose unique design and craftsmanship are the fruit of a three-way collaboration between Bentley Dallas, artist Stephen Selzer and Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke commissioning division. 

    Each Bentayga is a showcase for a unique fusion or art and craftsmanship, including a bespoke graduated paint process pioneered by Bentley’s Excellence Centre for Paint team at Crewe, England. Purchasers of these three vehicles will enjoy the knowledge that they own a true ‘one of one’ Bentley and that their generosity will be helping children in need overcome some of life’s most serious challenges. 

    Pioneering dual-tone graduated paint process

    All three Victoris Bentaygas make a powerful visual impact thanks to their remarkable bespoke paint transitions, with each model featuring its own dual-tone finish. Creating the gradual ‘fade’ from one tone to another called for the utmost precision, with components such as bumpers and door handles aligned perfectly with the corresponding colour gradient on the body.     

    The preparation and hand-spraying of each body and its related components took over 70 hours of dedicated work at Bentley’s Excellence Centre for Paint. Unlike standard single-colour painting, this technique involves the meticulous application of pre-tinted shades in specific positions on the vehicle’s body, creating a seamless gradient transition. Meticulous masking, employing custom-fabricated stencils, ensured uniformity across all three cars to an accuracy of just 2mm. Each body was then mirror-polished for a flawless finish.

    Three colour stories

    Each Victoris Bentayga is a one-of-one creation, based on a standard wheelbase V8 Azure with Blackline Specification, Styling Specification and LED welcome lamps. Other common features include interior mood lighting, five-seat Comfort specification and illuminated Bentley treadplates.     

    The first of artist Stephen Selzer’s Victoris designs features a duo-tone red paint fade of Candy over Cricketball. The D pillar carries a Victoris badge in chrome and gloss black, while the wheels are five-spoke 22” items in gloss black with black callipers. Its interior is upholstered in Beluga black and Mulliner white hide, while all veneered surfaces are finished in Grand Black. The Victoris pinstripe in Pillar Box red sweeps around the cabin on the door waistrails and fascia, with the distinctive ‘V’ swoosh on the fascia continuing into a Pillar Box red upper vane on the fascia bullseye air vent. The seats feature embroidered Bentley wings in Silver while the Victoris repeat pattern is blind embossed on the headrests.     

    The second of three Victoris Bentaygas is finished in duo-tone Moonbeam silver over Anthracite grey, while the interior features a bespoke colour split of Beluga black and Saddle brown. All veneered surfaces are executed in high gloss carbon fibre, while the Victoris pinstripe on waistrails, fascia and air vent upper vane is picked out in Moonbeam white.     

    Selzer’s third design in collaboration with Mulliner has a striking exterior of Anthracite fading to Extreme Silver. On this Victoris Bentayga the wheels are 22” ten-spoke designs in gloss black and bright machined finish, the latter selected to pick up the Extreme Silver paint fade. Inside, driver and passengers are greeted by a bespoke upholstery split of Cricketball and Beluga. The Victoris pinstripe on waistrails, fascia and fascia bullseye air vent in Moonbeam makes a dramatic contrast with the Grand Black veneer it bisects. 

    The Spirit of Victory

    The development of the Victoris Bentaygas is the result of close collaboration between Bentley Dallas, automotive artist Stephen Selzer and the team at Bentley Mulliner. The projected net proceeds of $75,000 from their sale will be donated to Children’s Cancer Fund, Cook Children’s Medical Centre, and Children’s Health.     

    As Hesham Algaghil, President, Avondale Dealerships observes, “The message of Victoris is the triumph of resilience over adversity. We hope to inspire owners to support our initiative and promote victories in the lives of children battling life-changing challenges. They will appeal to individuals who value not only the unique aesthetics and performance of a Bentley but also have a deep sense of social responsibility.”

  • Bentley Collector Takes Delivery of Bespoke Le Mans Bentayga to Complete a Unique Stable

    Bentley Collector Takes Delivery of Bespoke Le Mans Bentayga to Complete a Unique Stable

    • Bentley enthusiast Mark King receives his Bentayga Apex Edition by Mulliner, in full Le Mans Collection trim and livery
    • This option only offered to owners of limited edition Le Mans Collection Continental GT or GT Convertible
    • Both vehicles feature exterior in Verdant green with Le Mans style racing stripe in Moonbeam
    • Interior features include Beluga hide and Dinamica fabric seat faces with contrast seat stitching in Hotspur
    • Apex Edition Bentayga based on 550 PS 4.0-litre S V8 with Bentley Dynamic Ride and rear-wheel steering
    • Special Apex Edition features include 22” carbon wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes and carbon body kit
    • Le Mans Collection Continental GT created to mark 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

    [source: Bentley]

    Crewe, England –  A long-term Bentley enthusiast and collector, Mark King, has taken delivery of a very special Bentayga – the latest addition to an extensive Bentley stable. His Apex Edition Bentayga is one of just 20 handcrafted examples by Mulliner worldwide, finished in the same livery and trim as his 2023 Le Mans Collection Continental GT – itself created to mark 20 years since Bentley’s return to victory at Le Mans in 2003 after a 73-year absence from the top step of the podium.

    While the Apex Edition Bentayga was also offered in six curated colour and trim themes, the Verdant green and Moonbeam livery of Mr King’s Apex Edition Bentayga was only offered to existing Le Mans Collection owners. 

    A thoroughbred stable

    Mr King, who is based in Northern Ireland, follows a family tradition as a passionate and knowledgeable collector of high-performance vehicles.  His new Apex Edition Bentayga joins a garage that holds a Bentayga Speed, a rare Continental GT3-R and a Continental Flying Spur, all of which he uses regularly. A Bentley owner since 2010 and regular attendee at Bentley’s exclusive owner events, he leapt at the opportunity to commission a Le Mans Collection Continental GT in 2023 and needed no encouragement to add the Apex Edition Bentayga in full Le Mans livery when it was announced. His existing Bentayga Speed has covered over 100,000 miles in his ownership and is often pressed into action to trailer other vehicles from his extensive collection. 

    The Apex Edition Bentayga

    The Apex Edition Bentayga is based on the Bentayga S, the sporting flagship of Bentley’s SUV line-up. Its 4.0-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine develops 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft. (770 Nm) of torque, giving a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.5 secs) and a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll control and rear-wheel steering deliver agile handling with minimal roll, while the V8’s exhilarating snarl is enhanced by a free-flowing sports exhaust. 

    The Apex Edition takes the performance focus to the next level, with ultra-strong 22” Mulliner carbon wheels that save 44 kg in unsprung mass for enhanced steering agility, and carbon-ceramic brakes for immensely powerful, fade-free braking. As the most performance focused and dynamic Bentayga ever, Mr King’s Apex Edition amply merits its Le Mans-inspired livery.

    The Le Mans Collection Continental GT

    Created in 2023 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at Le Mans, the Le Mans Collection Continental GT’s Verdant green and Blackline specification nods to the black and green livery of the winning #7 Speed 8. The Beluga black matrix grille features a painted #7 in Arctica white, while other distinctive features include black 22-inch ten-spoke wheels, powerful carbon ceramic brakes and red brake callipers.     

    All Le Mans Collection vehicles feature a six-wreath emblem inlaid into a high gloss carbon fibre fascia, marking each of the six outright victories recorded by Bentley at Le Mans between 1924 and 2003. The highlight of the interior is the three-way Bentley Rotating Display, which revolves to reveal a central vitrine that holds a section of engine valve from the winning 2003 Speed 8.

  • “The Black Rose” Bentley Batur Revealed Featuring 3D Printed Rose Gold

    “The Black Rose” Bentley Batur Revealed Featuring 3D Printed Rose Gold

    • ‘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.