Car Design round-up: Bentley, Mercedes and people news

Bentayga ‘X’ Concept revealed 

This new off-road concept is based on a Bentayga Speed – but the stance has been altered with forged single piece 22-inch wheel rims and off-road tyres. The track width has also increased by 120mm to enhance stability, and the ride height has been lengthened by 55mm. As a result, the wheel arches have moved outboard by 40mm. 

The exterior design has been kept functional, with roof-mounted storage and four spotlights – with these roof additions bringing the overall heigh of the concept to 2.49 metres. 

The concept made its debut at the 2026 FAT Ice Race in Zell Am See. 

Full release here. 

New Continental GT S and GT Convertible S 

More news from Bentley, as new Continental GT S and GTC S models have been released. 

Inspired by the limited edition Supersports, both vehicles sport the Blackline spec – which adds a dark front lower spoiler with gloss black matrix grilles, as well as black Bentley wings, Bentley lettering, Beluga black mirror caps, sill extensions and a rear diffuser. Topping it off, both the front and the rear headlamps possess a dark tint. 

Inside there is a two-colour upholstery split, which is unique to these models, alongside a fluted seat design. Dinamica technical fabric (a microfibre fabric with a suede-like feel) is used on key touch points such as the steering wheel, gear level, seats and door inserts. The black detailing on the exterior continues inside with Piano black veneer finishes. 

Full release here. 

Updated Mercedes-Benz S-Class 

The flagship limousine has received a design update in celebration of 140 years since Carl Benz’s patenting of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1886. 

For the first time the model features an illuminated grille enlarged by around 20% and accented with redesigned, three-dimensional chrome stars. Another first is that the upright Mercedes star now has the option of being self-illuminated. The rear lighting signature has also been reworked, with three chrome-framed signature stars. 

The interior includes a redesigned instrument panel with the MBUX Superscreen, new door trims and a centre console with wood inlays. Mercedes also includes a seat belt that can heat up to 44 degrees Celsius. 

Full release here. 

Toray opens a new showroom in Portugal to showcase Ultrasuede 

Designed by Japanese product designer Ryosuke Fukusada and Portuguese designer Rui Pereira, this marks Toray’s first European-based showroom. 

Located in Sintra, near Lisbon, the showroom includes a sewing factory and custom wall-mounted display racks to display the range of Ultrasuede colours and fabrication possibilities. Next to these racks is a lounge area furnished with Anza stools, benches and coffee tables enabling the materials to be felt. 

Full release here. 

People news 

Manuel Gálvez was named creative exterior designer at Calty Design Research Inc as of February 2026. Prior to this, he was an exterior designer at GAC R&D. 

Vivyan Zhang, previously a colour materials and finish designer at Nissan, has joined Ford Motor Company as CMF designer. 

There have also been a few new appointments at Leapmotor. Following the news of Adil Benwadih taking on the role of director of the company’s Munich-based European Advanced Design Centre, Ao Zhou is now a senior interior designer and Teodor Dimitrov has been named as senior exterior designer.