The Bentley Experience – A refined and exhilarating driving experience. This is how Bentley describes itself. Not content to rest on its laurels, Bentley is now collaborating with the Royal College of Art in UK for the ‘Bentleys of the Future’ Project. Eighteen Postgraduate students of the Vehicle Design Course have been studying and working with the Bentley designers. Four of these students have now been shortlisted to refine their designs under the tutelage of Raul Pires, Crewe’s chief exterior designer who played an important role in drafting and designing the new 2011 Mulsanne flagship for the company.

Pires said, “These four finalists have captured the essence of our brand, recognizing what makes a Bentley instantly recognizable on the road. Just as importantly, they’ve embraced Exa’s leading edge technology and grasped that an excellent design should always seek to enhance a car’s handling and performance, as well as optimizing its environmental credentials.”

A winner and a runner-up will be selected and will have the opportunity to join Bentley’s design studio for a 6-month secondment. Using the famous PowerFLOW software, each striking car design has undergone extensive testing in a virtual wind tunnel to optimize aerodynamic capabilities.

The results of this project – the daring creativity merged with world-class engineering and Bentley’s exquisite handcrafted quality will be guaranteed headturners – The Bentleys of the Future.