BENTLEY

In the heart of British automotive history, 1919 marked the inception of Bentley Motors, a company founded by the visionary engineer Walter Owen Bentley. Renowned for his dual passions for aircraft and racing—both cars and motorcycles—Bentley established a legacy rooted in speed, precision, and luxury. Remarkably, the brand continues to uphold its century-old mission statement: “to build a good car, a fast car, the best in its class.” This commitment to excellence is vividly illustrated by the launch of the 1920 EXP 1 and its groundbreaking counterpart, EXP 2, the latter being the first Bentley to triumph in a car race and the oldest surviving model from the manufacturer.

 

The unmistakable “Big B” emblem, with its iconic letter 'B' flanked by two soaring wings, symbolizes the brand’s essence—where the B stands for Bentley and the wings embody the spirit of speed. Adorned in hues of black, white, and silver, the Bentley logo is a visual representation of the brand’s values; white signifies purity and charm, black denotes excellence and elegance, while silver reflects the sophistication, creativity, and perfection synonymous with Bentley’s creations. In the Roaring Twenties, when automotive innovation surged and elegance reigned supreme, the bonnet mascot emerged as the quintessential emblem of prestige and individuality for car enthusiasts. These exquisite miniature sculptures were more than mere adornments; they were statements of power, speed, and sophistication, heralding the owner's arrival with flair and magnificence. Among the most notable creators of these artistic masterpieces was celebrated artist F. Gordon Crosby, whose visionary talents brought forth the iconic winged B badge that epitomized Bentley’s spirit. Yet, it was Crosby’s whimsical yet ambitious design of the ‘Icarus’ bonnet mascot that captured imaginations, gracing the pages of early Bentley catalogues. Though it never graced a car due to potential copyright complications, its legacy lingered in the hearts of those who admired it. Instead, the discerning owners of Cricklewood-era Bentleys in the mid-1920s were presented with a stunning alternative: the inaugural company-approved Flying B mascot. This ornate brass creation stood upright, its elegant wings outstretched horizontally, reminiscent of Crosby’s artistry and infused with a sense of dynamic motion. Each glance at this magnificent ornament was a reminder of the era’s opulence and the exhilarating journey that lay ahead, encapsulating the spirit of a time when the automobile was not just a mode of transport, but a symbol of status and style.

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For many enthusiasts, the imposing ‘Blower’ Bentley is the iconic racing Bentley of the pre-war years, forever linked with the image of its driver, the dashing Bentley Boy Sir Henry (Tim) Birkin. Ironically, the 4 ½ Litre Supercharged was the least successful of all the Cricklewood Bentleys in competition – and founder W.O. Bentley bitterly opposed its development. But while it lasted, the 4 ½ Litre Supercharged went like a rocket, earning Bentley a legion of fans at every race it entered.

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First produced in 1993, 2007 saw the triumphant return of the Bentley Brooklands. Descended from an incomparable bloodline of truly potent coupés and taking power to a new level, the Bentley Brooklands featured the most powerful V8 engine Bentley had ever created, capable of top speeds of 184mph (296km/h).

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Bentayga is the first Bentley SUV - also the world's first true luxury SUV. Launched in 2015, Bentayga was named after the Roque Bentayga, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, and was designed, engineered and crafted to offer unprecedented levels of refinement and performance. Bentayga was created after consultation with Bentley owners and meticulous research to ensure this new model included the luxurious features and dynamic drive experience one expects of a Bentley.

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The Bentley Mulsanne spent a decade as the flagship model of the Bentley range. The world’s finest handmade car represents the ultimate combination of both luxury and performance. The range offered a choice of two remarkable vehicles: the Mulsanne; and the Mulsanne Speed for more dynamic driving. The Mulsanne was given a face lift in 2014, with new design cues and interior options, and a new derivatives joined the Mulsanne range: Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase offering extra legroom and comfort.

 

The Bentley Flying Spur was created to be a superlative four door sedan - for drivers and passengers alike. With enough space for four adults to travel in extraordinary comfort, the Flying Spur offered surging power combined with agility. Its acceleration, handling and all-wheel drive capability all contributed to an exceptional drive experience, taking both performance and luxurious interior craftsmanship to a new level.

 

In a significant turn of events, Bentley was acquired by Volkswagen AG in 1998, yet it remains steadfast in its commitment to craftsmanship and quality. Creating a Bentley is no small feat; the meticulous process requires a staggering 110 hours for the Continental GT and around 130 hours for other models such as the Continental Flying Spur sedan and the Bentayga. The Mulsanne, the brand's most intricate model, takes an astonishing 400 hours to complete, illustrating the dedication poured into every vehicle.

 

Production is equally impressive, with an average of five Mulsannes, twenty-six Continental Flying Spurs, and thirty-one Bentaygas emerging from the factory each day. Each Bentley W12 engine requires about 14 hours and the expertise of approximately 30 engineers to construct. The luxury extends to the interiors, where nearly five days are devoted to crafting the Mulsanne's exquisite interior trim, using materials sourced from the finest quality, including two miles of thread and nine Northern European bull hides per coupe. Each artisan’s initials are embossed on the leather panels’ reverse side, a testament to their individual craftsmanship.

 

Bentley’s stature in popular culture is highlighted by its appearance in the James Bond film franchise, where a Bentley Mark IV captured the imagination of audiences, embodying the allure of luxury and adventure. With every meticulously engineered model, Bentley not only builds cars; it curates an experience, an emblem of prestige and a celebration of automotive artistry that continues to captivate enthusiasts around the globe.