New Bentley Bentayga Celebrates Diversity Through Stephen Wiltshire’s Artistic Vision
by AutoExpert | 28 September, 2023
Bentley Motors is taking a bold step forward in celebrating diversity and inclusion with its latest Bentayga model. In a bid to be one of the most diverse luxury automakers, Bentley collaborated with British artist Stephen Wiltshire to hand-paint the Alpine Green Bentayga.
Wiltshire, known for his extraordinary ability to capture landscapes after a mere glance, painted 29 diverse landscapes and city skylines onto the vehicle. Cities like Rome, New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Milan, Venice, and Hong Kong are each represented, turning different parts of the SUV into a canvas that reflects the world's continents.
Diagnosed with autism at age three and initially mute, Wiltshire began communicating through his art. His work has always been about connection and existence, making him a perfect collaborator for Bentley’s inclusive initiative.
The intricate artwork was completed at Bentley's Crewe factory, marking the first time the company’s Excellence Center Bespoke Paint team hand-painted a vehicle.
The Bentayga is the third vehicle in Bentley's artistic lineup designed to celebrate diversity and integrity. The automaker launched the "Unflying Spur" in 2021 to commemorate the European Month of Diversity, and in 2020, it introduced a rainbow-themed Continental GT Convertible. Bentley's workforce itself is a global melting pot, representing 52 nationalities from 67 countries.
Moreover, Bentley recently announced upgrades for the 2023 Bentayga Hybrid S. The battery pack has been expanded from 13.0 kWh to 18.0 kWh, increasing the pure-electric range to 27 miles. The SUV is powered by a 100 kWh electric engine and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, delivering a combined 456 horsepower.
Since its introduction in 2015, the Bentayga has been a linchpin in Bentley's lineup. In 2022, it became the company’s best-selling vehicle and set a new sales record. Bentley sold approximately 15,000 vehicles last year, 42% of which were the Bentayga SUV. This strong performance contributed to Bentley doubling its profit to nearly 900 million USD compared to 2021.