‘I’m not OCD, I’m thorough’
It’s no secret that the Bentayga has a little Audi Q7 in its genetic code. Impressive, then, that the interior is rather more special. We meet its creator
THE COOL, TECHY interior of Audi’s Q7, suitably optioned, is a nice place to be. But a Q7 doesn’t smell like a Bentley, and neither does the Audi prompt a little smile every time you open the door, catch the illuminated flying B badges projected on the rain-lashed car park tarmac and step inside.
The Bentley difference? Careful use of fine materials and an all-consuming attention to detail, according to Darren Day, who designed the Bentayga’s interior.
‘Our interiors start with the flying B logo as their inspiration, which brings a symmetry,’ he explains. ‘Allied to that we have our wonderful natural materials, which we use in a natural way – you can have the loveliest leathers but if you don’t use it on organic forms it’ll look synthetic. So straight away you get this feeling of calm in a Bentley; that this is a nice place to be.’
He’s right. I feel my heart rate slow every time I climb aboard, and the happy sigh passengers let out when they sink into their seats is often audible. It may also explain why I drive one of the most powerful cars I’ve ever ‘owned’ with such glacial restraint.
Day is keen to pick out a key Bentayga differentiator I hadn’t noticed. ‘Dashboards have to pass through the front door apertures, which imposes production limitations,’ he says. ‘This usually means they can’t be very deep – in fact, they usually finish just where your knee meets them, creating an uncomfortable edge. We have these seamless, leather-finished parts that extend from the dashboard into the footwells, so that when you find yourself subconsciously bracing against the car you’re comfortable. There was a cost attached but I think it makes a difference, and it feels good when you persuade the bean counters to part with another few million pounds!’
A more obvious recipient of Day’s attention (and the VW Group’s budget) is the rotary drive mode selector – a far more tactile and intuitive solution than Audi’s.
‘You do have to pick your battles, and I wanted to design an absolutely Bentley drive mode controller. It looks good and it’s so intuitive you find yourself adjusting it constantly, going to Sport mode for a twisty section of road and then, when you turn off down a rough back road, twisting it into Comfort without even looking.’
Again, he’s right – you do. On the move I find myself endlessly playing with the rotary’s position – counter-clockwise to go sportier; clockwise for more waft – to such an extent that curious passengers have asked what I’m up to.
But there is some Audi in the mix, isn’t there Darren… ‘Yes, the cruise control stalk is Audi, but at least it’s a good part!’ he says. ‘And we’re getting there. We’ve designed our own stalks for the Continental GT.’
Any details Day’s particularly proud of? He reels off a dozen, from the striking blood orange needles on all the instruments to the consistent three rows of knurling; from the handsome typography to the mineral glass cover over the driver’s display. Fortunately I’ve another three months with the car in which to drink them all in.