Expanding The Individuality Of A Bentley, The Mulliner Division’s New Selections

Bentley’s bespoke division, Mulliner, has continued to see exponential growth in 2022. On average, three Bentleys per day are now produced to include personalised requests.

Outstandingly, commissions for the bespoke content via Mulliner have risen by 200 percent since 2020, to the highest level in the company’s history.

Mulliner’s New Selections

Expanding on that success, the first new feature introduced by Bentley Mulliner is the 18K Gold Plated Organ Stops.

Providing an iconic and timeless finish, said feature dates back to the early Le Mans days that pays homage to the original Bentley Boys.

Applicable to the interior of any specially curated Bentley, the feature appeared recently in one of Mulliner’s Limited Edition cars. 

The number 9 Edition by Mulliner was in honour of Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, one of the original ‘Bentley Boys’ of the 1920s and ‘30s.

As for the second new feature, this addition provides the commissions with an increased selection of open-pore veneer.

Inspired by the natural effect of Stone veneers, it now includes Liquid Amber, Vavona and Tamo Ash in more sustainable open-pore finishes. 

All the finishes are treated with an ultra-thin matt lacquer solely for protection and gives the surface the natural texture of the wood.

Noticeably, it varies from the more traditional smooth gloss finished as well as uses up to 90 percent less lacquer.

Mulliner’s Bespoke Division

The Mulliner Personal Commissioning Guide offers a unique mix of traditional and contemporary options that will appeal to Bentley’s diverse and extraordinary clients. 

To name a few of their unique offerings, clients can choose bespoke hide colours, painted veneers, personalised interior stitching and tweed trimmed door inserts.

Now, the latest instalments include nine different designer suggestions to help inspire customers or provide a base for them to create their own unique car.

Plus, the increased demand has also challenged the team at Mulliner to create new personalisation features.

On that note, the proportion of Bentleys with bespoke features and content has risen from 2 percent in 2020 to 6 percent of annual production today. 

Revising the request trends of each model, the Bentayga clients are more distinct with exterior paints, while Flying Spur’s are more interested in Mulliner features such as dual finish veneers. 

Whereas, Continental GT clients focus their attention on other bespoke aspects like the pinstriped carbon fibre body kit option.

Mulliner’s Surging Repertoire

Mulliner has been responsible for some of the most iconic and unique examples throughout the last century of Bentley’s history.

Ranging from the 1950’s R Type Continental, to cars fit for royalty, and more recently the exceptional Blower Continuation and Bacalar projects. 

In July 2021, the milestone of 1,000 bespoke projects was passed, since a specific design team was formed in 2014. 

Today the number of projects has risen to 1,350, which is a surge in demand reflecting Mulliner’s increasing ability to deliver any option that a client requests.

Interestingly, clients have also increased the number of bespoke features per request. In 2020 a client would likely ask for two features, but today it’s typically up to seven. 

With a flair for design or by using the co-creation skills of the Mulliner design team, cars can evolve from a change in paint to a fully-themed vehicle celebrating the owner’s desires.

For instance, a recent project saw Bentley Orlando use Mulliner’s extensive capability to produce a bespoke space-themed Bentayga Speed for one of its clients.

Ultimately, through the services of Bentley Mulliner, Bentley’s in-house bespoke division, the only limitation is the imagination of the client.