Ooh…Bentley!
image: arabamoto.com
We’ve all done it, dreaming of owning one or even driving one. Whether we’re in a rush to get somewhere or in a car of our own, we just can’t help but stare everytime a Bentley strolls within our grasps, what annoys me is why is it when one occurs the driver always seems to cruise at like 5mph!! If you havn’t realised but by now I am talking about the Bentley vehicle.
Despite being such a high powered car, Bentley Motors remain a very green company. They state that being environmentally friendly is just as important as any other area. There’s even a way to dispose of a Bentley when it has reached the end of its lifeline in an environmentally friendly way.
A few random but interesting facts about the production of a Bentley car taken from the company website:
- It takes 150 hours to hand-build a Continental GT and 400 hours to build an Arnage (you’d expect alot of work to go into a car when your paying around £200,000+ for it!)
- Lacquer-spraying robots in the Paint Shop are programmed to simulate a human sprayer on his best day
- Steering wheels are doubled stitched by hand using two needles simultaneously; the process is far too complicated for a machine. It takes 15 hours work to create one steering wheel
- A full set of leather for a Bentley is selected and cut at the same time, so that there is as little variation in texture as possible
Although acquired by Volkswagen in 1998, the ownership may be German but the heritage is still 100% British. The cars are not only internally potent but visually stunning. I’m sure as they inspire many individuals like me to work hard in order to acquire one (unless you’re already wealthy).
The day I step into one of my own will be a rich and wonderful moment. I’ve chosen Betley motors as a Cool Brand of Britain, as I feel that it represents a key aspect of what Britain is…beautiful, rich and cultured.