In a gesture of reverence toward its storied past, Bentley Motors has unveiled a new interior offering that bridges the craftsmanship of the 1930s with the design precision of its most advanced vehicles. First developed by Mulliner—Bentley’s in-house personal commissioning division—for the exquisite Blower and Speed Six Continuation Series, Heritage Leather is now available for specification across the marque’s latest models.
Sourced exclusively from Bridge of Weir, a tannery known for producing the world’s lowest carbon leather, this material is more than a nod to nostalgia. With its distinctive two-tone finish and fine haircell grain, Heritage Leather captures the tactile elegance of Bentley’s Cricklewood era interiors—honouring traditional manufacturing techniques while meeting modern standards of durability and environmental stewardship.
To introduce this new tailoring option, Bentley has created a special commission of the fourth-generation Continental GT Mulliner, drawing visual parallels with the Factory Works Speed Six Continuation Series. Separated by nearly a century of evolution, the two vehicles share a unified vision: each finished in Bedford Grey with interiors wrapped in Ox Blood Red Heritage Leather. Though the timelines diverge, the design language remains remarkably cohesive—steeped in the timeless allure of automotive elegance.
The seating in the Speed Six reflects pre-war authenticity, with hand-fluted leather and a modest embossed “B” on the door panels—faithful to the materials and treatments of the era. In contrast, the Continental GT’s cabin reveals the full artistry of Mulliner’s craft. Here, the leather becomes a canvas for diamond-perforated patterns, contrast embroidery, piping, and quilted seat uppers—merging heritage with the bespoke refinement of contemporary Bentley interiors.
In developing this leather, Mulliner and Bridge of Weir consulted historical references, drawing colour inspiration from original Bentley specifications archived at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. The result: two authentic hues—Ox Blood Red and Parsons Napier Green—each rich with period significance and quietly evocative of grand touring’s golden age.
While the hide recalls the past, it performs for the present. During the development of the Blower Continuation Series, Heritage Leather was rigorously tested to ensure that it delivers the same performance rating as Bentley’s modern interior materials. Treated with natural oils, waxes, and historically accurate finishes, the leather achieves a subtle sheen, complete with tonal variations that suggest the passage of time and the quiet patina of experience.
In today’s era of sustainability, Bentley’s choice to champion leather—when sourced and crafted responsibly—is not just a design statement, but a considered one. Bridge of Weir’s closed-loop manufacturing process yields an independently verified Life Cycle Analysis score of just 8kg CO?e/m², the lowest published for leather globally. This, combined with full traceability and rigorous environmental standards, allows Bentley to offer a product that is as conscious as it is beautiful.
Leather, in Bentley’s hands, becomes more than a material. It becomes an inheritance—one that wears not out, but in. Passed from one generation of drivers to the next, it carries memory in every crease and curve, offering proof that luxury, when crafted with integrity, can endure.
