The Man Behind Bentley's Sexiest Concept Now Has Even More Control Over the Brand's Looks

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

There’s a new guy in charge of sculpting Bentley’s voluptuous British bodies.

The automaker announced today that John Paul Gregory has been appointed Head of Exterior Design, putting him in charge of the team crafting future Bentley models. An eight-year veteran of the company, Gregory replaces Sangyup Lee, who jumped ship to the new Genesis brand back in May.

Prior to this, Gregory served as Advanced Exterior Design Leader, working with a “skunk works” team at the brand’s Coventry, England design studio.

Under his guidance, the studio cranked out perhaps the sexiest vehicle in the brand’s history. The Bentley EXP-10 Speed 6 concept appeared at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show sporting two seats, a hybrid drivetrain, and all the styling cues a Bentley buyer demands.

A two-seater based on the concept is now headed for production as the Bentley Barnato, and is expected to arrive in 2019. The trademarked name honors former Bentley chairman Woolf Barnato, who won the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1928, 1929 and 1930.

Risk-taking efforts like the EXP-10 Speed 6 shows what Gregory is capable of. That’s assuming he isn’t poached by Genesis before the products start flowing.

In a statement, Bentley design director Stefan Sielaff stated, “John Paul’s experience at Bentley is invaluable. He brings a passion for the brand and a deep understanding of the direction we wish to go in. This is an important time for the company as we look ahead to new models with John Paul, alongside our highly-skilled design team, bringing many insights and ideas to inspire the next great Bentley.”

[Images: Bentley Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • TMA1 TMA1 on Aug 24, 2016

    So the guy who designed the Camaro got ousted for a guy who designed a Bentley with the rear haunches of a Mustang.

  • Bunter1 Bunter1 on Aug 24, 2016

    Personally I like it. Bunter

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
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