A century old detail, reimagined for a new generation

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Monday, 27 Jul 2026 12:00 0 2 autotech

A century old detail, reimagined for a new generation

• The Torcal carries forward one of Bentley’s most enduring design signatures: the Bentley Diamond
• Featured since the 1920s, from wire mesh grilles to diamond-stitched seats, this historical design is now reinterpreted for a new era

• The Torcal features a striking floating diamond grille that reimagines a century of design craftsmanship

• Interior displays have been authentically created by capturing light passing through British hand-cut crystal

The diamond pattern remains one of Bentley’s most enduring design signatures. The new Torcal continues that story in both familiar and unexpected ways – from its jewel-like floating diamond grille to innovative digital displays created using real handcrafted artefacts. Contemporary in execution yet unmistakably Bentley in character, this iconic detail bridges past and future through a shared language of craftsmanship, beauty and innovation.

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The diamond pattern has also been a hallmark of Bentley design since the 1920s, when wire mesh was used to protect tall radiators from stones and road debris. The pattern soon moved inside the car too, with cross-hatched switches and controls; several Bentleys from this era featured brass switchgear with controls meticulously machined in a diamond pattern to improve grip. The process created a distinctive aesthetic that quickly became woven into Bentley’s design language. Over the decades, the motif has appeared everywhere from diamond-stitched seat upholstery to the mesh grille of the Brooklands coupé. More recently, it has featured in the intricate detailing of Bentayga’s headlamps and throughout the Continental GT’s interior, showcasing Bentley’s evolving ’embedded diamond’ design language.

What started as a functional engineering solution gradually evolved into one of Bentley’s defining design themes. In the new Torcal, this heritage is reimagined for a new generation. Bold, sculptural and jewel-like in execution, the floating diamond grille transforms a functional necessity into a captivating design statement – one that is unmistakably Bentley and unlike anything else on the road.

The story continues inside. Rather than relying solely on computer-generated graphics to create the Torcal’s digital displays, Bentley’s design team sought the authenticity and character of handcrafted materials. Working with Cumbria Crystal in England’s Lake District, they commissioned bespoke hand-cut crystal objects designed specifically for the project. By capturing light passing through the crystal, designers created a distinctive visual signature rich in depth, movement and texture. The subtle variations and natural imperfections inherent in hand craftsmanship bring an unexpected sense of warmth and humanity to an otherwise ultra-modern digital experience.