Bentley Designers: What Cars Do They Drive?
Discover the eclectic taste of Bentley’s designers as we take a peek into their top-secret studio viewing area. These designers have the challenging task of creating cars that not only exude luxury but also offer durability, practicality, and dynamic capabilities that surpass their similarly priced rivals.
Living Parallel Lives
Many assume that Bentley designers must live parallel lives to their customers in order to fully understand their needs and desires. However, we wanted to find out for ourselves what their cars are like and what better way to do so than by exploring the cars they choose for themselves.
Design and Drives Event
We recently had the opportunity to attend Bentley’s “Design and Drives” event, where we met around 30 members of their design staff. This exclusive event took place at their super-secret design studio viewing compound, usually reserved for prototype assessments and radical paint jobs.
The compound, located at the eastern end of Pyms Lane in Crewe, is currently undergoing extensive renovations to accommodate a bigger and better design studio. The highlight of the renovation will be a “design garden” on the roof.
The Cars and Their Designers
During the event, we had the chance to meet several designers and explore their personal cars. Here are some of the highlights:
Robin Page – Jaguar E-Type
Design director Robin Page owns a beautiful red 1967 Series 1 1/2 roadster Jaguar E-Type. This classic car holds a special place in his heart and was the inspiration for his career as a car designer.
Jack Allenet – Volkswagen Up GTI
Jack Allenet, a digital surfacing manager, recently acquired a Volkswagen Up GTI to replace his failing MGB GT. He admires the Golf GTI family and chose the Up for its honesty, timelessness, and brilliant driving experience.
Graham Browne – Northern Light e-trike
Graham Browne, a former TVR chief designer, not only designed and built his own electric trike but also owns the company that can make one for you. His innovative e-trike provides zero-emissions transport and he is now working on a more powerful version with a 120-mile range.
Adrian Charnell and Alex Charnell – Aston Martin V8 Vantage/Jaguar F-Type
Father and son duo Adrian and Alex Charnell both work as studio engineers at Bentley. Adrian owns an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, while Alex drives a Jaguar F-Type. They both appreciate the unique qualities of their chosen cars and enjoy touring Europe in style.
Tom Warwick – 110cc homebuilt trike
Studio engineer Tom Warwick built his own 110cc trike as a fun project. This small contraption is loud and wild, perfect for zipping around the design compound.
Chris Whitlow – Caterham Seven
Chris Whitlow, a digital modeller at Bentley, has a passion for the Caterham Seven. He has owned three Sevens over the years and considers it the cream of the crop for sporting driving.
Andy Plumb – Reliant Robin
Andy Plumb, a well-known designer, uses a Reliant Robin as his daily driver. Despite the car’s reputation, Plumb appreciates its clean and simple 1970s lines and has no plans to sell it.
Darren Day – Porsche 944
Darren Day, Bentley’s head of interior design, has been driving his 1991 Porsche 944 S2 to work for the past 14 years. He loves the unique design and driving experience of the 944 and recently had it meticulously restored to perfection.
A Glimpse into the Lives of Bentley Designers
Our time behind Bentley’s steel gates was too short, but we had the opportunity to meet and learn about the cars of several designers. From classic Jaguars to electric trikes, each designer’s choice reflects their individual tastes and passions.
As we left the event, we couldn’t help but admire the latest addition to Bentley’s classic collection, an immaculate 1965 T1 saloon. This car, the first of its kind to roll off the production line, was a true treasure and a fitting end to our two hours of delight.
