Bentley Design celebrates 70 years of creating ‘extraordinary design’

MANILA: Bentley Motors celebrated the 70^th anniversary of its design department in Crewe, England. The team’s first-ever project is the development of the iconic R-Type Continental of 1951.

Bentley Design was established to provide ideas and design proposals and share its vision with other areas of the business. In its early years, the team captured design sketches as watercolor artworks. They were not able to “undo” any mistake as everything was painted by hand.

The watercolor renderings were then replicated in full-size technical drawings showing side, front, rear, plan elevations, and sectional views along a vehicle’s body in order to describe its form to the model makers.

To visualize the drawings in three dimensions, model makers used a metal framework covered with a malleable material which accurately shapes to the form of a new vehicle.

Today, Bentley Design uses measuring arms and scanning equipment for quicker assessment of three-dimensional models. The statistics are then provided as either numeric printouts or cloud data uploaded directly within the design studio for instant virtual reference.

Although the modern technology allows designers to sketch virtual elements which can be experienced through augmented reality, a full-size model will still have to be built to guarantee that all fine details are perfect before the vehicle is released for production.

Bentley anticipates that design will play an even larger role in the development of fully electric models because most EVs are powered with similar electric motors and feature the same components.

“Our team of designers is now engaged with their next opportunity — creating Bentley’s first fully electric model, which must translate and reshape those classic forms and details to a truly future-facing design,” Bentley Design Director Andreas Mindt stated. “Not only that, the car must be sustainable in more ways than just being electric so we are exploring sustainable materials, recyclability and new ways of working to ensure the car has a low carbon footprint throughout its lifecycle. Getting this design absolutely perfect will help guarantee the next chapter in this astonishing history of Bentley Design.”

Aside from designing luxury vehicles, Bentley Design also creates other lifestyle products. The team is also in charge of making customized Bentley Home furniture to meet the customers’ personal tastes. The furniture can be tailored in the exquisite leathers and wood veneers that made the brand unique.

Each piece was made with a combination of traditional craftsmanship and new technology, representing the British brand’s techniques and values of modern luxury.

Photos from Bentley Motors

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