McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Bentley News

Bentley news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Continental GT, the Bentayga, the Flying Spur and Mulliner's bespoke commissions. Our reporting takes in model reveals, first drives and the auction results that establish what these cars are worth. Bentley Motors news tends to move slowly and matter for years, so we follow how values hold across a generation. This is where the marketplace becomes useful. Many of the Bentleys covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, placing the reporting and a genuine asking price side by side. For Bentley news today, and the luxury car market news that surrounds it, begin below.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 02, 2025

The New Bentley Bentayga Speed Is The Most Powerful Benta...

Bentley introduces its new performance SUV pinnacle. The Bentley Bentayga has become one of the historic ultra-luxury brand’s most successful models thanks to its enviable combination of ultra-luxury excellence, SUV practicality, elegant design, and spirited driving character. Historically, the Bentayga’s performance-oriented character has manifested itself most prominently in the Speed variant, which until the engine’s 2024 retirement, was powered by Bentley’s iconic twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 powertrain. Now, that engine has ceased production over a year ago, and Bentley has not only entered a new era as a manufacturer, but so has its performance luxury SUV flagship, the Bentayga Speed. A new generation of the Bentayga Speed has just been announced, and it’s the most powerful and dynamic Bentayga yet, with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that exceeds the performance of its W12-powered predecessor, and improvements throughout that imbue the new ultra-luxury SUV with impressive levels of performance by any standard. The improved 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 at the heart of the new Bentley Bentayga Speed is responsible for providing the ultra-luxury performance SUV with 641 horsepower and 627 lb/ft of torque. Unlike the Bentayga’s stablemates, the Continental GT and the Flying Spur, the Bentayga Speed doesn’t use hybrid assistance to achieve its immense performance specs. Bentley also showcases its new Bentayga Speed’s High Powered V8 engine through a special Sports Exhaust system, with an optional Akrapovic system for an even more thrilling sound experience. While comfort is a priority in Bentley’s ultra-luxurious models, the new Bentley Bentayga Speed benefits from a Sport driving mode, allowing for things like launch control and even drifting, as well as a stiffer, sportier ride, and brake torque vectoring for excellent cornering. All-Wheel steering also comes into play to make the new Bentley Bentayga Speed more agile than its size and footprint would typically suggest. The new Bentley Bentayga Speed’s design is distinguished with specific 22 or 23-inch wheels, as well as a black roof, as well as specific interior displays, quilting patterns, and upholstery configurations. With its increased power and dynamics, as well as its aggressive design, the natural question is of the Bentley Bentayga Speed’s performance capabilities. Those include a 0-60 time of just 3.4 seconds, eclipsing the previous W12 Speed’s 3.9-second time, and a top speed of 193 mph, a staggering figure especially for an SUV. With its new high-performance V8, the new Bentley Bentayga Speed opens a new chapter for the luxury performance SUV landscape. View All Bentley Bentayga Speeds For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 29, 2025

Bentley & Hedley Studios Sign Off On Blower Jnr Production

Bentley’s historic reimagination comes to complete fruition. Over a century of legacy has made Bentley one of the most revered manufacturers in the entire automotive industry, with a cherished racing legacy and a lineup of ultra-luxury machines that combine robust performance with stunning design and plush comfort. Its repertoire of historic vehicles gives Bentley the opportunity to recreate some of its original masterpieces, as it did in collaboration with Hedley Studios in the case of the Bentley Blower Jnr. Rather than a one-to-one recreation of the Blower like the ultra-exclusive Bentley Blower Continuation Series, the Bentley Blower Jnr uses Hedley Studios’ expertise to reimagine the historic racing machine as an 85% scale, road-legal recreation. In addition, the classic design of the car is modernized with the use of a fully-electric powertrain, with a top speed of 45 mph and an estimated range of roughly 65 miles. The vehicle underwent an extensive road testing program that culminated in a 650-mile event that saw the car tested on the island of Jersey. The historic isle’s low speed limits and narrow roads made it the perfect venue to test the Blower Jnr, and upon its completion, traveling 650 miles in three days, Bentley Motors and Hedley Studios signed off on the car together, greenlighting it for its production run of 349 examples officially. Each example will not only be a reimagination of incredible automotive history, but also an example of automotive artwork that combines innovation with preservation. View All Bentleys For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 27, 2025

Bentley Motors Teases The Debut Of Its Most Powerful & Be...

One of the most influential automotive trends in history has to be the introduction of ultra-luxury, high-performance SUVs, taking shape as spacious, daily commuters packed with the same power as their supercar counterparts. For Bentley and its reputation for quality and comfort, the Bentayga continues to shine as the brand's standout star in a fleet full of coach-style coupes and sedans. With 10 years of success and two generations showcasing its evolution, Bentley Motors is pleased to announce the upcoming debut of its all-new Bentayga model. Teased to create excitement around the big reveal, one single image has been released to show off the new Bentayga's elliptical tailpipes integrated and rear diffuser tips in a matte green finish. Referred to as the most dynamic Bentayga yet, Bentley promises a faster and more agile version than the already-impressive W12-powered Bentayga. The new release is also already crowning itself as the best-sounding Bentayga, with Bentley offering a sports exhaust as standard from the factory. Bentley is set to unveil its most powerful and dynamic Bentayga on June 2nd at 12:30 BST. A twin-turbocharged V8 replaces the familiar W12, delivering more power without any hybrid assistance. A newly developed SPORT mode and a dynamic ESC setting introduce the ability to perform controlled drifts. With more performance and an extra engaging driving experience, this upcoming Bentayga aims to bring excitement to the luxury SUV space. Stay tuned into duPont REGISTRY for full coverage of the all-new Bentley Bentayga. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 07, 2025

Bentley Motors Delivers The Largest Fleet Of Bespoke Flyi...

A new record for the most bespoke Bentleys ordered at once. Aside from engineering some of the most luxurious cars and SUVs backed by over a century of heritage and expertise as a coachbuilder, Bentley Motors has and continues to shine a light on its artisanal skills through its Mulliner division. Giving clientele complete control throughout its extensive configuration process, the marque ventures outside of its traditional color and material palettes to further personalize cars based on the wants and needs of its owners. And while it's not unheard of for Bentley to produce multiple Mulliner models for its top-tier clients, the brand just blew away any previous records with the news of delivering the largest fleet of bespoke Flying Spurs commissioned by a world-class resort. Announcing its latest global collaboration with China's leading luxury hotel in Macau, The Galaxy Hotel stands out as one of the world's largest Forbes double five-star hotels. The resort prides itself on offering guests elevated ultra-luxury chauffeur-driven experiences, which is why it ordered and configured nine bespoke Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner sedans. The fleet was recently presented as part of a delivery ceremony at the hotel on April 29th, cementing the creative collaboration between The Galaxy Hotel and Bentley's Dream Factory in Crewe. Bentley's new Flying Spur Mulliner takes center stage as its most luxurious sedan yet, now equipped with an Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain. This plug-in setup allows for up to 47 miles of all-electric driving. With the ability to operate purely on electric power up to 87 mph, Bentley promises 90% fewer CO2 emissions than the outgoing Flying Spur Speed. This version of the Flying Spur comes finished in Pale Brodgar Mulliner paint, highlighted with subtle bespoke touches like The Galaxy Hotel's emblem hand-painted on the front doors. Even the puddle lamps have been customized to project The Galaxy Hotel's logo, a nod to Bentley's growing partnerships with elite hospitality names. Inside, all four seats are equipped with Bentley's Wellness Seating, which includes automatic climate adjustments and subtle postural movements to increase overall comfort. Bentley's collaboration with high-end luxury hotels continues to grow, following partnerships with The Peninsula London and The Peninsula Hong Kong. Now, The Galaxy Macau Hotel adds to that story by acquiring the largest fleet of Flying Spur Mulliner sedans in one place. View all Bentley Flying Spurs for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bentley Flying Spurs For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 30, 2025

Mansory Unveils Customizations For The New Bentley Contin...

Bentley’s new grand tourer gets the Mansory treatment. The new Bentley Continental GT marks a groundbreaking new era for the celebrated grand touring model, as a new hybrid line of powertrains, the Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain with 771 horsepower, and the High Performance Hybrid Powertrain with 671 horsepower, elevate the speed and capability of the ultra-luxury touring car, while also granting it an unprecedented level of efficiency and sustainability. However, the new, highly innovative chapter of Bentley’s grand tourer is an opportunity for one of the premier customization houses in the automotive world to create a new sensation, and that is, of course, Mansory, a house that specializes in taking the world’s most desirable, powerful, and expensive cars, and elevating them to the next level with cosmetic and performance enhancements. That is exactly what Mansory has done to the new 2025 Bentley Continental GT,transforming it visually with a body kit clad in exposed carbon fiber, enhancing its elegant, luxurious look with a dark, sporty edge. In addition, Mansory unveiled new custom wheels in its FD.15 design for the new 2025 Bentley Continental GT, in a 22-inch size. With a transformed look to match its powerfully innovative engineering, Mansory transformed the new Bentley Continental GT into an eye-catching supercar sensation. View All Bentley Continental GTs For Sale Image Source: Mansory

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 28, 2025

Bentley Unveils New Surfboard Collaboration With Marnie R...

Bentley’s stunning craftsmanship hits the waves. Bentley boasts a stunning 106 years of history, and throughout that time, the brand has represented automotive excellence on various fronts: in the racing world on stages like Le Mans, in ultra-luxury with its current lineup, and in modern innovation with its 771-horsepower Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain. However, one of the highlights of any Bentley is the wooden veneers that adorn the interiors of its cars, showing off incredible luxury, natural beauty, and admirable craftsmanship. In a new collaboration, Bentley’s excellence in woodworking served as a thread to connect the historic luxury automotive marque to the world of surfing, where a beautifully crafted wooden surfboard carves its way through the water. The collaboration is between Bentley, Marnie Rays, a VIP surf retreat that combines the thrill of surfing with idyllic serenity, and Otter Surfboards, a manufacturer of stunning wooden surfboards. The custom surfboard that resulted from the collaboration was made from Bentley’s Koa Veneer, a mid-tone, straight-grained wood that was sourced from Hawaii, and the wood itself pays homage to traditional Hawaiian surfboard craftsmanship. Lindsey Holland, the founder of Marnie Rays, and James Otter, the founder of Otter Surfboards, visited Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, England to help select the veneer. The preparation of the surfboard involved techniques that Bentley hasn’t used since the end of production for its former flagship sedan model, the Mulsanne. After that, the board was passed on to James Otter’s workshop in Cornwall, where the board was shaped by hand using his signature method, and the logos of all three collaborators were etched into the surface. After its unveiling at Marnie Rays, the board will be gifted to Surfability UK, which is a community interest company that provides adaptive surfing lessons and experiences for people with disabilities, injuries or learning differences. The organization will auction the board to raise funds for its mission. For a good cause, Bentley, Marnie Rays, and Otter Surfboards collaborated to create a beautiful homage to surfing tradition. View All Bentleys For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 25, 2025

Bentley Unveils New Heritage Leather Interior Option

Bentley’s new leather brings a touch of history to current models. Boasting over 100 years of history, Bentley’s lineup not only has some of the world’s most desired ultra-luxury cars, but also a century of heritage containing race cars, grand tourers, and many breakthroughs in the luxury automotive industry. Thanks to the incredible capabilities of Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke department with rich historical roots, the manufacturer is not only able to create stunning limited editions, bespoke commissions, and coachbuilt models, but also faithfully and painstakingly created revivals of historic Bentley models like the Speed Six and Blower. In those models, period-correct materials and techniques are used to recreate historic Bentley cars, including Bentley Mulliner’s Heritage Leather, which has until now exclusively been available for the Blower Continuation Series and the Speed Six Continuation Series. Supplied by Bridge of Weir, the stunning leather features the look and feel of the original leather upholstery of the 1930s. Currently, two authentic colors are currently being offered in the new Heritage Leather: Ox Blood Red, and Parsons Napier Green. Available now to specify on Bentley’s latest models, Bentley commissioned its own example of the new Continental GT Mulliner to show off the stunning look of its new Heritage Leather upholstery option. With 106 years of history in leather upholstery and luxury performance automotive excellence, Bentley’s latest models benefit from a historic touch. View All Bentleys For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 23, 2025

Bentley Shows Off New Continental & Flying Spur At Auto S...

Bentley shows off its latest and greatest in Shanghai. Bentley is currently in the process of revolutionizing its lineup with electrification and high-tech innovation meeting its traditional craftsmanship and timeless elegance. Now that the historic manufacturer has unveiled a new hybrid lineup of its iconic models, the Flying Spur and the Continental GT, the revamped lineup has been showcased at one of the year’s most anticipated automotive events globally, Auto Shanghai 2025. The legendary W12 flagship powertrain has been replaced by the new Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain, which combines a twin-turbo V8 with a hybrid system, and that imbues the new Continental GT and GTC Speed models, as well as the new Flying Spur Speed with an immense 771 horsepower. Meanwhile, a similar High Performance Hybrid Powertrain from Bentley gives the new entry-level Continental and Flying Spur models 671 horsepower. In addition to the new range of hybrid powertrains in the lineup, an Azure trim for the Continental and Flying Spur is also part of the lineup, and the entire new lineup was displayed at Auto Shanghai, along with Bentley’s current flagship ultra-luxury SUV, the new Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure, which features innovative luxury breakthroughs like Bentley’s Airline Seat and Diamond Illumination. With a revolutionized luxury vehicle lineup, Bentley is a star at this year’s Auto Shanghai. View All Bentleys For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 15, 2025

Bentley Announces New Black Edition Continental & Flying ...

Bentley adds edgy accents to its new lineup. For decades, luxury cars were known for their elegant style, classic proportions, and the generous use of chrome throughout their designs. However, tastes have since changed for many customers, and luxury car manufacturers have introduced matte and satin paintwork, as well as darker trim pieces to newer models, transforming the aesthetic of luxury cars to show off a darker, edgier look. Bentley, a manufacturer that has represented the highest echelon of luxury vehicles for much of its hundred-year history, offers the option for customers to choose darker or brighter trim, and for the new Continental GT/GTC and Flying Spur, those options have expanded further. For the new Bentley Continental GT and GTC, as well as the new Bentley Flying Spur, Bentley is now offering a new Black Edition, which sports a dark aesthetic on the luxury grand tourer and on the ultra-luxe sedan. For the first time, the new Black Edition outfit includes a black “Winged B” emblem, as well as black Bentley lettering on the trunk lid. Where there would usually be chrome is also replaced with black trims, and the wheels are a special gloss black 10-spoke set. In addition, Continentals equipped with Black Edition kit include the new Harmony headlamp design. Inside, features of the Black Edition include seat headrest embroidery, piano black veneers, special treadplates, contrast stitching, and optional features like comfort seats, the Bentley Rotating Display, mood lighting, and sports pedals. However, looks aren’t the only benefit that Black Edition models receive. Of course, they are all powered by Bentley’s new High Performance Hybrid Powertrain, which uses a 4.0-liter V8 and a hybrid system to develop a massive 671 horsepower. In addition, sports exhaust enhances the sound experience for Black Edition models, and to enhance their sportiness, the Black Edition Continental and Flying Spur receive the Bentley Performance Active Chassis technology that was introduced with the more powerful Speed variants of the models. The technology offers rear-wheel drive capabilities and performance-focused rear-wheel steering character in a new Sport driving mode. Bentley only plans to make 400 Black Edition models globally, so all the perks of the Black Edition are further complemented by exclusivity for owners. For those who want a Bentley with a unique, sporty edge, the opportunity has arrived. View All Bentleys For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 14, 2025

How Bentley Uses AI To Craft The Perfect Leather

Bentley’s AI-powered leather inspection tech helps reduce waste. Bentley is getting into AI with a new system designed to spot imperfections in leather that even trained eyes might miss. Rolled out at its Crewe factory, the tech uses high-res cameras and machine learning to scan hides and pick out tiny flaws like scars or insect bites, stuff that might not show up until it’s too late in the production process. Since each Bentayga interior uses around nine hides, finding ways to cut waste and make the most of each piece of leather is a pretty big deal, especially as Bentley leans into its Beyond100+ sustainability push. This AI setup doesn’t replace Bentley’s skilled craftspeople, but it does give them a head start. Instead of spending hours inspecting hides by hand, the tech does the first pass, freeing up time for more detailed work where it really counts, like signature hand-sewn touches that give Bentley interiors their personal touch. It also speeds things up behind the scenes, allowing multiple hides to be inspected at once, which keeps things efficient without sacrificing quality. More importantly, it’s a smarter way to work. By catching flaws early and using hides more effectively, Bentley cuts back on waste and drops about 135 kg of CO₂ emissions per car. That’s not world-saving on its own, but it’s a solid move in the right direction. And for a brand that still prides itself on craftsmanship, combining traditional skills with modern tools feels like a natural next step. View all Bentleys for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

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