Proof that the one per cent is buying again, Bentley customers can now specific luxury stone interior veneers for their cars courtesy of the marque’s bespoke coach-building division Mulliner.
Manufactured from blocks of slate and quartzite stone, the innovative finishes are hand-selected from quarries in India, before being split and cured using glass fibre and an exclusive resin.
Transported to Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, the state-of-the-art interior veneers are then shaped and finished by hand, resulting in slivers that are just 0.1mm thick.
Bentley says that this ensures that the veneers don’t add too much weight, while the fineness of the veneer panels allow the stone’s grain and translucent patterns to really stand out.
Geoff Dowding, director of Mulliner Operations, said: “Bentley is the established expert in the handcrafting of wood and leather, and now we are exploring new, fine and rare materials to offer even more bespoke tailoring and choice to our customers.
“Stone veneers are another first for Bentley – but only the beginning of what we plan to do with this luxurious and unique material.”
Customers can now specify the veneers on either the Bentley Continental or Flying Spur, with a choice of four colours as standard: Galaxy, Autumn White, Terra Red and Copper.
However, as with any bespoke feature, Bentley says that customers interested in them can get in touch with Mulliner’s team and order unique colours, presumably for an extra cost.
Although this is the first time that they’re available on a Bentley, stone veneers have previously been available on some of Mercedes Maybach’s vehicles, including the 62 Landaulet.
Prices have yet to be announced, but given that the granite panelling option cost £37,572 in the Maybach, it’s not expected to come cheap.
