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Read moreA Classic Touch of Leather at Bentley
For more than a century, Bentley has placed supreme importance on refinement and artisanal craftsmanship. In 2025, the marque reaffirms its heritage by introducing a new interior upholstery option: Heritage Leather. Offered through Mulliner—Bentley’s bespoke personalization division—this finish transports the timeless elegance of 1920s and ’30s coach-built cars into today’s lineup.
A Heritage Leather Inspired by the Past, Designed for Today
Originally developed for the continuation editions of the legendary Blower and Speed Six, Heritage Leather now finds its way into modern models such as the fourth-generation Continental GT. Sourced from Scotland’s Bridge of Weir tannery, this distinctive hide features a grainy “haircell” texture and authentic period dyes like Ox Blood Red and Parsons Napier Green—colours meticulously documented in Bentley’s original archives.
To celebrate this return to roots, Bentley created a one-off Continental GT Mulliner clad entirely in Ox Blood Heritage Leather and painted Bedford Grey—an explicit homage to the Speed Six Factory Works continuation model. Drawing a direct stylistic line between cars nearly a century apart, it underlines the continuity of Bentley’s design language and know-how passed down through generations.
Artisanal Craftsmanship Meets Sustainability
Heritage Leather is as much a statement of eco-responsibility as it is of style. Bridge of Weir—one of the longest-standing leather suppliers in automotive history—employs a fully circular, traceable tanning process that yields one of the lowest carbon footprints in its class: just 8 kg CO₂e per square metre. Beyond its environmental credentials, this leather is built to last: many pre-war Bentleys still wear their original upholstery, which, rather than wearing out, develops a beautiful patina that enriches the car’s character over decades.
Faithful Execution of Time-Honoured Techniques
Presentation details vary by model. The modern Speed Six features restrained 1930s-inspired elements—like fluted seats and an embossed “B” on the door cappings—while the Continental GT Mulliner goes further, showcasing contrast stitching, diamond quilting, refined embroidery, decorative perforations and matching piping. Traditional finishing methods—natural oils, waxes and even period-style varnishes—are applied by hand to achieve a lustrous sheen reminiscent of vintage coachwork. Subtle tonal variations in the dye highlight the leather’s evolving patina, lending an extra layer of authenticity.
A Noble Material in Service of the Bentley Experience
At Bentley, every cabin component is engineered to endure—physically and emotionally. Heritage Leather embodies this philosophy by uniting classic beauty, long-term durability and environmental stewardship. The skilled artisans at Crewe transform each hide into a one-of-a-kind interior, honouring the marque’s origins while catering to contemporary expectations.
Bridging Tradition and Innovation
Heritage Leather encapsulates Bentley’s past and future. Available to clients who wish to personalise their cars through Mulliner, it adds a classic touch to the latest models. More than just a trim option, it represents over a century of refinement, proven sustainability and obsessive attention to detail that continue to define Bentley today.
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