Bentley Motors, renowned for its luxurious wood trim, is turning stateside for its first new veneer in five years. The British automaker plans to source wood from American Red Gum trees that grow in Mississippi.
The new veneer is called Liquid Amber, a reference to the tree’s perfumed scent. Bentley describes it as having “a deep, rich brown luster” and “warm, red hue.”
The wood, which is only harvested twice a year due to restricted access across the wetlands where it grows, will undergo a natural smoking process to enhance its color. It will then be shipped 4,500 miles to Bentley’s wood shop in Crewe, England, where professionals will examine and process the wood for use in vehicles.
Bentley says the wood “must have a high-burr density, minimal sapwood and feature no bark growth or structural defects.” The wood is also tested for grain consistency and stability in UV light.
The wood will undergo more than 18 months of tests before it’s turned into veneers and used in car interiors. Between 30 and 70 percent of all the wood is rejected for not meeting Bentley’s high standards.
When ready, Liquid Amber will be one of seven veneer options offered by Bentley, and the first to be sourced from the United States.
Watch the following video to learn why Bentley chose the American Red Gum tree:
To learn more about Bentley veneers, check out our article: “A Visit to Bentley Motors’ Wood Shop“
30 and 70 percent rejection – I would call waste – that is how bentley is dealing with natural resources – shame on them.
They reject 30 to 70 percent of the wood for their uses. That does not mean the rest of the wood is wasted. The wood can be used in many other ways–from cabinetry to furniture to wall paneling. Bentley only harvests trees that have fallen naturally, and they plant a new one for each one they take.