Bentley’s new design director is the man who styled the Audi Q8…

By: CAR magazine

Bentley has appointed Andreas Mindt as its new director of design, with Stefan Sielaff having left the firm “to pursue other opportunities”.

Set to officially step into the role from the start of March 2021, Mindt has more than 25 years of automotive design experience within the Volkswagen Group. Most recently, he was head of exterior design at Audi, where he oversaw the “exterior design evolution of the breadth of the Audi model range”, and the launch of the Audi Q8 and all-electric e-tron.

Prior to his six years with Audi, Mindt spent more than 15 years as a “key part” of the Volkswagen design department in Wolfsburg, where he worked on “leading projects” for a number of brands. In fact, he designed the exterior of the 1999 Bentley Hunaudières concept.

Mindt will be stationed at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, where he will lead a team of approximately 50 design experts.

“Bentley is a jewel within the Volkswagen Group. Designing a car, and a future, is always a process based on the performance of many, not one, and so I look forward to working with my colleagues to help define the next phase for Bentley, into an electrified future,” Mindt said.

Mindt will report to Matthias Rabe, Bentley’s board member for engineering.

“I am pleased to welcome Andreas to Bentley and look forward to working closely with him at such a critical, yet exciting time for the business. The hard work starts now as we accelerate our journey to full electrification by 2030,” said Rabe.

“With Andreas’ creative experience in progressive electric car design delivery, and passion for Bentley and the Volkswagen Group, he is perfectly placed to help us achieve our ambitions as the leader in sustainable luxury mobility.

“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Stefan for the significant contribution he has made to the business in his near six-year period, and wish him all the very best for the future.”

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