Robin Page, Bentley’s director of design, doesn’t underestimate the challenges involved in taking the storied luxury automaker into the EV era. Much of the discussion aroundFortunately, Page, a designer with 30 years’ experience, including a stint as Bentley’s head of interior design from 2001 to 2013, has already dealt with precisely the same issue at another legacy automaker with a long tradition and proud heritage.
What about elements other than proportion? EVs have entirely different cooling requirements, and demand highly aero-efficient bodywork to deliver the range customers demand. “You don't need to have this big open-air intake,” Page acknowledges, “but it’s important to have a ‘first read’ identity that clearly says, ‘this is a Bentley’. That has a lot to do with the headlamp set up, and the way you treat the grille. There's still an iconic element to the grille at Bentley.