Bentley’s revered bespoke division, Mulliner, has unveiled an exquisite series of limited-edition collections exclusively crafted for the Chinese market. Titled ‘Inspired by China’, these eight distinct designs blend British automotive excellence with rich Chinese cultural motifs, offering a masterclass in craftsmanship and storytelling.
Each collection transforms Bentley’s flagship models,the Bentayga Extended Wheelbase (EWB), Flying Spur, and Continental GT,into rolling works of art, meticulously tailored to reflect China’s artistic heritage and symbolic traditions.
Mulliner’s designers collaborated with cultural experts to ensure authenticity, scrutinising details such as the direction of embroidered Koi Carp and the number of claws on mythical dragons. The result is a fusion of opulence and meaning, where every stitch, material, and hue carries profound significance.
This endeavour not only celebrates Bentley’s commitment to personalisation but also underscores China’s growing influence in the luxury automotive sector.
The Colourful Koi Carp: Symbolism in Motion
In Chinese culture, Koi Carp embody perseverance, courage, and prosperity, their vibrant hues symbolising life’s dynamic journey. For this collection, Mulliner selected the Bentayga EWB, its expansive cabin serving as a canvas to juxtapose the Koi’s vivid colours against Beluga black interiors and Mandarin orange accents.
The centre console’s granite stone texture mirrors the Carp’s scales, while gold trim inserts and exterior badges evoke wealth and fortune.
Notably, the Koi are embroidered swimming clockwise,a deliberate choice rooted in feng shui principles to attract positive energy. Six fish feature throughout the cabin: four embroidered into seatbacks and two adorning veneered waistrails.
The number six (六, liù) phonetically resembles 流 (liú, meaning “flow”), representing smooth success. Even the passenger fascia’s “ripple” effect mimics water disturbed by the Carp’s movement, ensuring every detail harmonises symbolism with sophistication.
A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains: Artistry on Wheels
The Flying Spur Azure’s wellbeing-focused design provided the perfect foundation for a collection inspired by Wang Ximeng’s A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains. This 12th-century masterpiece, housed in Beijing’s Palace Museum, stretches 11.9 metres and epitomises the Song Dynasty’s “blue-green landscape” style.
Mulliner’s team translated its tranquil blues, emeralds, and gold leaf into bespoke cabin embroidery, capturing the painting’s Daoist harmony between humanity and nature.
Wang’s work, completed at just 18, symbolises China’s natural grandeur through meticulous brushwork and layered pigments. Bentley’s interpretation extends beyond aesthetics: the Flying Spur’s serene blue upholstery and gold accents mirror the artwork’s palette, while embroidered mountain silhouettes on seatbacks invite occupants to immerse themselves in its timeless serenity.
This fusion of art and automotive design transforms the vehicle into a mobile gallery, honouring China’s artistic legacy.
Ru Yi: Embroidering Prosperity
The Ru Yi sceptre, a traditional symbol of auspiciousness, takes centre stage in this Flying Spur collection. Crafted from jade or precious metals, Ru Yi (如意) translates to “as one wishes,” embodying hopes for prosperity and fulfilment. Mulliner’s designers intricately embroidered the sceptre’s cloud-shaped head in gold thread on seat facings, complemented by silver overlays on the passenger fascia and treadplates.
Three exterior colour schemes,Onyx, Emerald, and Sapphire,accentuate the Ru Yi’s symbolism, each paired with chevron-pinstriped consoles and gold badging. Historically gifted during weddings or Lunar New Year, the Ru Yi’s presence in the cabin extends blessings to its occupants, merging cultural reverence with Bentley’s signature refinement.
The cloud motifs, representing celestial favour, underscore the collection’s narrative of divine goodwill and personal ambition.
Mythical Dragons and Dancing Lions: Guardians of Grandeur
Dragons, revered as celestial beings in Chinese mythology, feature prominently in another collection. Mulliner’s artisans meticulously embroidered these creatures with five claws,a detail reserved for imperial symbolism,onto the Continental GT’s seats. Ruby-eyed dragons coil across Obsidian leather, their scales rendered in jade and crimson thread, while lacquer-coated dashboards echo traditional Chinese Coromandel screens.
Similarly, the “Dancing Lions” collection draws from traditional Lunar New Year performances, where lions symbolise courage and communal joy. The Bentayga EWB’s cabin bursts with vermilion and gold, colours synonymous with celebration, while embroidered lions “leap” across alpaca wool carpets. Even the lions’ eyelash count was debated, reflecting Mulliner’s obsessive precision to honour cultural authenticity.
Pandas and Bamboo: Playful Elegance
In a lighter homage, Mulliner’s Panda-themed collection adorns the Continental GT with monochrome upholstery mimicking the bear’s fur, accented by bamboo-green stitching. Headrests feature embroidered pandas clutching bamboo stalks,a nod to China’s national treasure and its habitat.
The bamboo motif extends to open-pore veneers, symbolising resilience and growth, while jade gearshift inlays add a tactile connection to nature.
This playful yet refined design contrasts with the collections’ more solemn themes, showcasing Bentley’s versatility in interpreting cultural narratives. By incorporating sustainable materials like ethically sourced bamboo fibres, Mulliner also subtly aligns with China’s growing emphasis on environmental stewardship.
Craftsmanship Meets Cultural Legacy
Each ‘Inspired by China’ collection required over 600 hours of handcraftsmanship, from marquetry specialists aligning wood grains to embroidery artisans stitching 2,400 stitches per Koi scale. Mulliner’s collaboration with Chinese historians ensured motifs avoided inadvertent taboos, such as omitting the number four (associated with death) and favouring symmetrical designs for balance.
These vehicles transcend mere transport; they are heirlooms celebrating China’s past and present. As Bentley’s Chief Designer, Andreas Mindt, notes, “Luxury today demands storytelling. Our clients seek pieces that resonate with their heritage,every thread and curve must whisper legacy.”
Exclusivity and Market Resonance
Limited to 20 units per collection, these models cater to China’s elite, where bespoke automotive art signifies status. With China accounting for 25% of Bentley’s global sales, the ‘Inspired by China’ series reinforces the marque’s commitment to this pivotal market. Prices, though undisclosed, are estimated to start at £450,000, reflecting their exclusivity.
By intertwining British craftsmanship with Chinese symbolism, Mulliner not only honours a rich culture but also sets a precedent for hyper-personalised luxury. As demand for culturally resonant design grows, Bentley’s fusion of heritage and innovation positions it at the vanguard of automotive artistry.
