“Whether it was 50 years ago, 100 years ago, or today, it is still the same Bentley. We call this heritage.” This was the statement by Christian Schlick, Managing Director of Bentley Korea, during a design talk.
Bentley Korea held the design talk on the 16th at the Bentley Tower in Dongdaemun, Seoul, featuring Christian Schlick and Bentley Designer Eddie Ur. Eddie Ur is the Lead Product Designer who spearheaded the interior design of the third-generation Flying Spur.
The story of Bentley dates back to 1919, 104 years ago, when founder Walter Owen Bentley’s passion to create “a good car, a fast car, and the best car in its class” gave birth to the brand.
Bentley a century ago looked quite different than it does today. However, the Bentley design DNA has been reinterpreted through legendary iconic models such as the 4½ Liter Supercharged Bentley Blower, the Bentley 8 Liter, and The Blue Train Bentley Speed Six. The 4½ Liter Supercharged Bentley Blower pursued potency, while the Bentley 8 Liter established harmony between performance and luxury. The Blue Train Bentley Speed Six emphasized inspiration. Potency, harmony, and inspiration are key elements in shaping the current Bentley design.
On this day at Bentley Tower, models from the 1st to the 3rd generation of the Continental GT were exhibited. The R Type is the model that contributed significantly to the evolution of the Continental GT.
Eddie stated, “The R Type has been a design icon of Bentley GT for over half a century” and mentioned, “With the passion of engineer Iván Evernden and designer John Blatchley, it became the most popular Bentley in history.” Additionally, he noted that the powerline and rear section are the result of engineering and design, which originated from the R Type and continue through to the current Continental GT. Bentley’s design lineage carries a design gene that transcends time.
Thus, the Continental GT has become a game changer in the high-end luxury car market. While the existing automotive market has targeted customers by differentiating between luxury and performance, the Continental GT stands out as the only model that captivates both.
Bentley aims not just to inherit past designs but to complete a Grand Tourer and the finest luxury car.
Lastly, Christian remarked on Bentley’s evaluation in ‘Esquire’ magazine, saying, “It’s quintessentially British. It’s as unpredictable as British weather, yet as constant as the British seasons.”
Jang Jin (daedusj@autodiary.kr)