Bentley’s head of design says the corporate is not fazed by other auto brands “taking heavy inspiration” from its designs.
Speaking with CarExpert on the reveal of the all-new Torcal electric SUV – Bentley’s first-ever EV – Bentley Motors head of design, T. Jon Mayer, said the British marque’s designs will proceed to remain rooted in its heritage.
“We’re a pinnacle brand, so numerous brands do look to us [for design inspiration]. I would not say necessarily there was ‘copying’, but definitely taking heavy inspiration from certain areas, particularly around the inside in addition to the outside,” Mr Mayer said.
“But I feel that happens throughout the industry when you’ve a design-led focus and also you do something that is fresh or recent. Others will then sort of construct off your idea that you’ve got introduced, but it surely’s all the time attending to the following one and the following development.
“So it’s like chasing a milestone that can never end. So how can we make our designs [for the future]? Adapt them to be more energizing, but it surely’s all the time going back to our principles and DNA – all the time ensuring it is a Bentley,” Mr Mayer continued.
“We will do some wild, crazy stuff. Now we have loads of talented team [members]. We could make the automotive appear like whatever, but then it would not be a Bentley.
“In order that’s really the main focus, to remain rooted in our heritage and our authenticity, but additionally our DNA and principles, in order that we keep improving generation after generation. And, it definitely helps when there’s recent technology that does come out, or recent [production] methods.
“Exterior design-wise, it depends rather a lot on sensor integration, technology so far as lighting as well. Sheet metal is sheet metal, so we all know the way to bend it, stamp it, fold it – but again it’s back to ‘is that this a Bentley?’, ‘Is that this a progression for us?’.”
Marti Page, product line director for the Torcal, also noted: “Our job is to manage what we’re about.
“Obviously, we will not control what other people decide to do. But I feel if we’re all the time true to those principles – countless bonnet, upright stances, all those sort of things which are [Bentley] DNA elements, and we’re guided by that every one the time, I feel we’re all the time true to what the brand represents and that is a part of the worth within the brand.
“I feel the opposite point I’d add is methodologies. Now we have the chance to introduce methods, to execute in a way that another brands don’t decide to go and are not in a position to go,” Mr Page continued.
“Even in case you take the [Torcal’s] grille, there are 76 ‘diamonds’ in there. They’re hand-assembled into the grille system, so we also herald the ‘how’ as a part of our authenticity.”
Mr Mayer said Bentley’s status as a smaller-scale boutique manufacturer also helps shield the corporate from various industry pressures, allowing it to concentrate on core brand attributes like customisation and bespoke craftsmanship. But he added that progressing Bentley design without breaking traditional boundaries is his team’s biggest challenge.
“We profit by being a real luxury and smaller manufacturer, that we will do all these variety of custom things,” he said. “What you are touching on is the most important every day challenge we’ve got as designers – what’s too far? What starts to go away from our core values, our brand and our DNA?
“And in addition with all those things, and having such a powerful heritage, it almost looks like handcuffs sometimes to be honest, as a designer. Your creative box gets harder and stricter, which actually needs more creativity than simply going off within the deep end in another direction.
“So it’s much, much harder to remain throughout the boundaries [of brand heritage] and progress to the long run.”
This week, Bentley revealed the Torcal, the primary all-electric vehicle within the marque’s 107-year history.
Along with being the primary Bentley EV, the Torcal introduces various other firsts, including the primary 100 per cent merino wool automotive fabric, in addition to curved interior displays with projections of sunshine passing through real hand-cut crystal glass, crafted in collaboration with Cumbria Crystal in England’s Lake District.
Bentley also launched the Torcal with recent exterior paint colors, including the striking ‘Electrum’ satin green gold-effect hue seen on the Torcal S First Edition.
You possibly can read our coverage of the 2027 Bentley Torcal reveal here.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
