Demand for Bentley’s Mulliner personalization department is at record levels. According to Bentley, roughly three out of every four of its vehicles leave the factory with some Mulliner touches.
With the strong demand, Mulliner is looking at ways to expand its offerings. One route is the introduction of much more tactile materials and finishes.
Some of these were used for a collection of four Continental GT Speed Convertibles developed by Mulliner on behalf of Southern California dealership Bentley Rancho Mirage.
Known as the Expressions of Texture Collection, the cars feature special paint finishes, three-dimensional quilting, and new materials.
Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible Expressions of Texture collection
Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible Expressions of Texture collection
Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible Expressions of Texture collection
Standout details include a matte paint finish, which Bentley said takes up to 55 hours to apply. There’s also wafer thin stone veneers and embossed upholstery that can create virtually any pattern, including topographic lines. One of the cars reflects the landscapes of Coachella Valley, where the Bentley Rancho Mirage dealership is located. Another reflects the fluid forms of sand dunes sculpted by the desert wind.
In a statement, David Parker, Mulliner’s chief commercial officer, said the cars in the collection serve as inspiration for customers looking to take advantage of the latest offerings at Mulliner. For buyers short on time but still keen on a unique vehicle, Mulliner from time to time also launches its own curated vehicles, such as last year’s Bentayga EWB Mulliner.
The cars in the collection are based on the current Continental GT Speed Convertible, but an updated version packing a V-8 plug-in hybrid powertrain instead of the traditional W-12 engine has been revealed. It’s due on sale next year.