Wood trim might be one of the most traditional vehicle interior finishes, but Bentley has managed to break new ground with the three-dimensional wood door trims on the Flying Spur. The panels feature a diamond-shaped pattern enhanced with a three-dimensional surface finish machined directly into the wood.
The concept for 3D-machined wood was first shown in Bentley’s EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015, and the company says it was inspired by the form of leather used for the diamond-quilted areas in Bentley’s Mulliner Driving Specification interior suite. Following a positive reception from customers, the company says the option required 18 months of development before it was production ready.
Bentley highlights that the trims are not made using veneers, as typically applied to the fascia and waist rails. Instead, each panel is created from a single block of timber. To achieve the three-dimensional surface, the wood is carved with a multi-axis routing machine to a tolerance of 0.1mm, before being hand-finished.
The back or ‘B surface’ of the timber is machined to match a die cast aluminum door panel template. The wood is then bonded to the template before the assembly is placed back into the machine and the front or ‘A surface’ is cut into its three-dimensional form.
Bentley notes that both American walnut and cherry timbers are available, depending on customer preference, chosen not just for their appearance and tactility, but also due to their sustainability.
