Setting the Standard: How Bentley’s Design Influence Inspires Imitation

“So it’s like chasing a milestone that will never end. So how do we make our designs [for the future]? Adapt them to be fresher, but it’s always going back to our principles and DNA – always making sure it’s a Bentley,” Mr Mayer continued.

“We can do some wild, crazy stuff. We have plenty of talented team [members]. We could make the car look like whatever, but then it wouldn’t be a Bentley.

“So that’s really the focus, to stay rooted in our heritage and our authenticity, but also our DNA and principles, so that we keep improving generation after generation. And, it certainly helps when there’s new technology that does come out, or new [production] methods.

“Exterior design-wise, it depends a lot on sensor integration, technology as far as lighting as well. Sheet metal is sheet metal, so we know how to bend it, stamp it, fold it – but again it’s back to ‘is this a Bentley?’, ‘Is this a progression for us?’.”

“Marti Page, product line director for the Torcal, also noted: “Our job is to control what we’re about.

“Obviously, we can’t control what other people choose to do. But I think if we’re always true to those principles – endless bonnet, upright stances, all those kind of things that are [Bentley] DNA elements, and we’re guided by that all the time, I think we’re always true to what the brand represents and that’s part of the value in the brand.

“I think the other point I’d add is methodologies. We have the opportunity to introduce methods, to execute in a way that some other brands don’t choose to go and aren’t able to go,” Mr Page continued.

“Even if you take the [Torcal’s] grille, there are 76 ‘diamonds’ in there. They are hand-assembled into the grille system, so we also bring in the ‘how’ as part of our authenticity.”

“Mr Mayer said Bentley’s status as a smaller-scale boutique manufacturer also helps shield the company from various industry pressures, allowing it to focus 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 benefit by being a true luxury and smaller manufacturer, that we can do all these type of custom things,” he said. “What you’re touching on is the biggest daily challenge we have as designers – what’s too far? What starts to go away from our core values, our brand and our DNA?

“And also with all those things, and having such a strong heritage, it almost feels like handcuffs sometimes to be honest, as a designer.”

Bentley recently unveiled the Torcal, marking a significant milestone as the luxury brand’s first all-electric vehicle in its 107-year history. This innovative model not only represents a shift towards electrification but also showcases the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries while staying true to its heritage.

The Torcal introduces several groundbreaking features, including the use of 100% merino wool automotive fabric, a first in the automotive industry. The interior is adorned with curved displays that project light through hand-cut crystal glass, a collaboration with Cumbria Crystal from England’s Lake District, adding a touch of elegance to the cabin.

In addition to its cutting-edge technology, Bentley has also introduced new exterior paint options for the Torcal, such as the eye-catching ‘Electrum’ satin green gold-effect hue featured on the Torcal S First Edition. This attention to detail and commitment to innovation further solidify Bentley’s position as a leader in luxury automotive design.

For more details on the 2027 Bentley Torcal reveal and to explore the showroom, visit the official Bentley website. This groundbreaking model combines the brand’s rich heritage with a forward-thinking approach to sustainability and luxury, setting a new standard for electric vehicles in the automotive industry.