Rolls-Royce 'monsoon' testing at Goodwood

At Goodwood there are up to 20 monsoons each day. Every Rolls-Royce undergoes a �monsoon� test where the car is deluged with 5000 litres of recycled water, delivered through high-pressure jets. The vehicle is then carefully inspected with an endoscope to ensure that the passenger and luggage compartments are watertight.

READ MORE - Rolls-Royce 'monsoon' testing at Goodwood

More photos of Abu Dhabi Motors� Bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe inspired by Shaheen

More than a month ago, I posted this beautiful bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe by Abu Dhabi Motors (earlier post) and now, I came across with those photos having also a better resolution. Enjoy!

Source: Drive Arabia

READ MORE - More photos of Abu Dhabi Motors� Bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe inspired by Shaheen

Unprecedented demand drives record production at Rolls-Royce

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced today that continuing strong customer demand for all models has resulted in record production at the company�s manufacturing plant in Goodwood, West Sussex, England.

The company is currently building 15 cars a day, including Phantom and Ghost models, with over 300 cars built in June � both record numbers since the company launched in January 2003. All models are sold out until at least September, with Phantom saloons sold out until October.

Sales in June increased more than fourfold worldwide and in the first half of the year were up by almost 200%, compared with the same periods in 2009. Substantial growth was seen in all regions, with a particularly strong performance in the APAC region, especially China.

Torsten M�ller-�tv�s, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, �This is an excellent interim result and we are well on our way to meeting our target of at least doubling our 2009 sales result. At the same time, both Phantom and Ghost continue to be the most exclusive super luxury cars in the world.� He continued, �I am also delighted with the progress in one of my first tasks as CEO - the stabilisation of the production process for our new model series, Ghost - and this is reflected in the smooth delivery of cars to our dealers and our customers around the world.�

J�rg Bause, Director of Production, joined the company at the end of May 2010. He said, �Having completed my first full month with the company during a period of record production, I have been deeply impressed with the team here at Goodwood. Everyone has risen to the challenge of meeting unprecedented customer demand, whilst at the same time ensuring the very highest standard of quality which is the hallmark of all Rolls-Royce motor cars.�

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
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READ MORE - Unprecedented demand drives record production at Rolls-Royce

Dining out with Rolls-Royce Bespoke programme

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A four-person picnic set finished in polished aluminum, veneer and leather is the latest commissioned feature to be brought to life by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in-house Bespoke design and engineering team.  It is just one of around 100 new highly personalised and unique engineering bespoke features that have been developed at Goodwood in the last 18 months.

�Bespoke is the jewel in our crown, the perfect complement to our luxury product line-up,� explained Torsten M�ller-�tv�s, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO.  �Customers expect a Rolls-Royce Phantom to be tailored to their individual desires and our team of talented designers and craftspeople are more than happy to deliver.�

What is Rolls-Royce Bespoke?

When Rolls-Royce customers commission a Phantom, they demand more than just a list of standard features and options.  Fulfilling that need for personalised service falls to the Bespoke programme.

Bespoke includes the development of anything from the most understated feature such as personalised tread plates, contrast stitching and seat piping to a bold expression of a customer�s desires in the form of personalised veneers and unique exterior paints.  Then there are stunning creations like luggage, glassware and the opulent picnic set, all designed in-house at Goodwood.

The programme is run by a small cross functional team encompassing design, engineering, manufacturing and sales.  In 2009, Bespoke reached record levels.  75% of all Phantom models made last year included some element of Bespoke, compared to around 50% of cars delivered five years ago.  Virtually each and every Phantom sold in the Middle East features commissioned bespoke elements.

Percentage (%) of cars featuring Bespoke elements - 2005 vs. 2009 Phantom family

	2005	2009
Middle East	75%	90%
UK	60%	75%
Europe	50%	70%
North America	30%	60%
Asia-Pacific	50%	75%
Total (All markets)	50%	75%

�We always endeavour to surpass the expectations of our loyal and discerning clientele,� added Thomas G. Jefferson Bespoke sales manager. �Through strong relationships with our dealer network, the Bespoke team�s aim is to create cars as unique and individual as the clients themselves.�

The Bespoke picnic set was first shown in Villa d�Este, Italy in April 2010.  It will come to the UK�s exclusive Salon Priv� at the Hurlingham Club in London from 21 to 23 July 2010.  Members of the design team will be on hand each day to talk to media about the Bespoke design programme.

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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Related posts: Bespoke Yas Eagle Rolls-Royce range by Abu Dhabi Motors, Bespoke Rolls-Royces influenced by Arab themes!!!, Abu Dhabi Motors� Bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe inspired by Shaheen!

READ MORE - Dining out with Rolls-Royce Bespoke programme

Abu Dhabi Motors� Bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe inspired by Shaheen!

Yet another beautiful bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe by Abu Dhabi Motors! Unfortunately, only low-res photos are available at the moment, but I will do my best to find better ones. Below is the news story as published by Abu Dhabi Motors.

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The concept of Shaheen focuses on designing a Phantom Coupe which embodies the variety of art and exclusivity. The Shaheen is a very famous falcon, best known for its strength and agility, which is used in the Middle Eastern region to accompany men on their hunting trips. It reflects the power of nature which has been mirrored by Abu Dhabi Motors� latest work of art, the Bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe inspired by Shaheen.

Falconry is a very valued tradition in the UAE. This sport was a big part of peoples� lives in the desert.  Many think that it came from the Muslim Arabs who went to Byzantine and Persia. It is an ancient sport that has been practiced all over Europe and the Middle East since the 8th Century. Today, you can find descriptions of hunting houbara with falcons in Arabia which date back to more than 700 years ago.   

Some claim that the art of falconry started in Mesopotamia; others say it began in the Far East, and historically, falconry was a popular sport and a symbol of status among the nobles of medieval Europe and feudal Japan. In art and in other aspects of culture such as literature, falconry remained a status symbol long after it was no longer popularly practiced.        

Some of the Bespoke elements in the Shaheen Phantom Coupe are: 

• Shaheen falcon inlay in brass on Phantom plate. Red carbon fibre.
• Embroidered headrests with Shaheen Falcon design.
• Shaheen Motif, especially hand built for Abu Dhabi Motors.

Exterior 

• Orchid Pearl Colour
• Twin Coachline in Tudor Red
• 21� Part Polished Star Wheels
• Brushed Steel Package

Interior 

• Mugello Red with Seashell Leather
• Carpets, Mats & Starlight in Seashell
• Instrument Panel in Red Carbon Fibre
• White Instrument Dials
• Marine White Veneer
• Veneered Steering Wheel Spokes
• Veneered Interior Cappings

Source: Abu Dhabi Motors 
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Related posts: Bespoke Yas Eagle Rolls-Royce range by Abu Dhabi Motors, Bespoke Rolls-Royces influenced by Arab themes!!!

READ MORE - Abu Dhabi Motors� Bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe inspired by Shaheen!

Bespoke Rolls-Royces influenced by Arab themes!!!

As I really do like Rolls-Royces, I came across with probably the most beautiful Bespoke Phantoms I ever seen. The Bespoke Phantoms you see in the photos were developed exclusively for Abu Dhabi Motors and they are influenced by Arab themes (e.g. Bespoke Baniyas Gold & Baniyas Black)!

Below is the news story as published by Abu Dhabi Motors.

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Abu Dhabi Motors, the sole dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has played a prominent role in increasing the regional profile of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Programme in recent years. The dealership prides itself on delivering unique, custom- designed models to its clients that are enriched through the application of personal detailing and commemorative flourishes.

The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Programme, which allows customers to create their perfect car designed and built to their exact specification, has been met with overwhelming success in Abu Dhabi.  The Bespoke team at Goodwood is dedicated to finding new paints, materials and engineering solutions and strives to find new ways to develop truly unique cars. With over 44,000 colours to choose from, the Bespoke team can personalise models to suit the most discerning palette, encompassing shades that range from subtle and muted to bold and exotic.

The latest arrivals of Bespoke Phantoms have been influenced by Arab themes, as Kadhim Al Helli, Rolls-Royce Brand Manager, Abu Dhabi Motors, explains: �We are keen to exceed the wishes of our customers, hence the Bespoke Programme is the ideal opportunity to further individualize what is considered the most exclusive car in the world.� He continues, �we listen very carefully to our customers and derive ideas for unique cars which reflect the atmosphere of the region.�

The latest Bespoke Phantom Drophead Coup�, developed exclusively for Abu Dhabi, is inspired by the islands off the coast. �This car symbolizes the royalty and distinction associated with the Baniyas name,� said Al Helli. The convertible features an exterior finish of two-tone in black and gold. In keeping with the model�s royal feel, the golden sand and black upholstery consists of 18 different hides that have been exclusively sourced. The interiors are augmented by wood work panelling in walnut burr veneer and include a gold plated Spirit of Ecstasy applied to the fascia.

Other recently delivered Bespoke Phantom Coup�s are specified in a way that underpins the individual character of each car. For example two are finished in outstanding Bespoke exterior colours: Moonstone and Bronze.  Special interior finishings in cr�me light and dark spice complement the stunning exterior of the cars. Features like Mother of Pearl inlays to the control knobs and a silver inlay dhow sail design to the door cappings and fascia panel showcase the nearly limitless levels of Bespoke, shown on a Middle East Bespoke Collection Phantom limousine.

�Rolls-Royce is all about individuality, exclusivity and engineering prowess,� added Al Helli and concluded, �the Bespoke programme delivers on that expectation to the most discerning clientele in the world�.

Source: Abu Dhabi Motors

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Once again, I would like to thank the Marketing Supervisor of Abu Dhabi Motors for all the help and material provided.

Related posts: Bespoke Yas Eagle Rolls-Royce range by Abu Dhabi Motors, Car production: Labour hours required & some fine examples of craftsmanship!

READ MORE - Bespoke Rolls-Royces influenced by Arab themes!!!

The cost of a 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coup�!

The only thing that really bothers me with the official website of Rolls-Royce is the absence of a configurator. Don't worry, I know that I will never be able to buy one, but configuring cars is something I really enjoy. Anyway, I managed to find the options list for all four Rolls-Royce models, as well as the prices (USDM).

Amazing craftsmanship... costs a lot!!! For example, you can opt the Phantom Coup� to come with what's called �Starlight Headlining�, which is basically over 1,600 fibre-optic lights being hand-set into the headlining! Cost? $12,100... Ouch!

2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coup�: MSRP $408,000

List of optional equipment

490B	Single Colour Paint (From Phantom Family Palette)  - $0 Single Color Paint/Phantom Family Palett
490C	Single Colour Paint (Discontinued Rolls-Royce Paints or Paints from BMW Palette)  - $5,830 Rolls-Royce paints or BMW Palette Paint
490D	Single Colour Bespoke Paint  - $10,350 Single Colour Bespoke Paint
BO101	Silver Bezel Clock Face  - $3,240 Silver Bezel Clock Face
BO103	Personalised Tread Plates to all Four Doors Including Graphics/Logo  - $3,140 Personalised Tread Plates Graphics/Logo
BO104	Personalised Gold-Plated Tread Plates to All Four Doors with Black Lettering (Text Only)  - $3,400 Personalised GoldPlated Tread Plate Text
BO105	Personalised Gold-Plated Tread Plates to All Four Doors Including Graphics/Logo  - $3,960 Personalised GoldPlated Tread Plate Logo
BO110	Application of Coachlines Using New Colours  - $2,000 Application Coachlines Using New Colours
BO119	Personalised Embossed Text Inside Glovebox Lid  - $1,570 Personalised Embossed Inside Glovbox Lid
BO124	Presentation Key Box Including Two Solid Silver Key Fobs and a Solid Silver Conway Stewart fountain Pen  - $4,220 Two Solid Silver Key Fobs
BO131	Lambswool Floor Mats to Match Carpet Colour  - $1,230 Lambswool Floor Mats Match Carpet Colour
BO135	Portable Leather Trimmed Cool Bag (Located in Boot)  - $4,020 Portable Leather Trimmed Cool Bag
BO136	Personalized illuminated Tread Plates to Doors Including Graphics/Logo  - $4,170 Personalized Illuminated Tread Plates
BO141	White Dials with Raised Aluminum Chaplets  - $6,800 White Dials with Raised Aluminium Chaple
BO142	Silver Bezel White Clock Face  - $3,240 Silver Bezel White Clock Face
BO54	Veneered front cupholder lid to match standard veneer type  - $980 Veneered Front Cupholder Lid to Match
BO59	Personalised Tread Plates to All Four Doors with Black Lettering (text only)  - $2,580 Personalised Tread Plates Black Letterin
BO61	Solid Silver Spirit of Ecstasy  - $4,540 Solid Silver Spirit of Ecstasy
BO62	Gold-Plated Spirit of Ecstasy (Replaces Standard Figurine)  - $5,180 Gold-Plated Spirit of Ecstasy
BO70	Instrument Panel Top in Two-Tone Leather  - $1,300 Instrument Panel Top in Two-Tone Leather
BO72	Humidor in Glovebox (Excluding Glovebox Preparation RS5)  - $3,530 Humidor in Glovebox; Excludes: [BO73] Pen Set in Glovebox And [RS5] Glove Box with Insert Preparation
BO73	Pen Set in Glovebox  - $4,800 Pen Set in Glovebox; Excludes: [RS5] Glove Box with Insert Preparation And [BO72] Humidor in Glovebox (Excluding Glovebox Preparation RS5)
BO89	Contrast RR Monogram to all Headrests  - $840 Contrast RR Monogram to all Headrests; Requires: [RAU] RR Logo to all headrests in matching color to leather hide
BO93	Colour-Coded Wheel Centre Cap  - $660 Colour-Coded Wheel Centre Cap; Requires: [RF5] 21" Chromed Alloy Wheels including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-Flat Performance
BO94	Colour-Coded Wheel Inserts and Centre Cap  - $1,570 Color Coded Wheel inserts and Center Cap; Requires: [RF5] 21" Chromed Alloy Wheels including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-Flat Performance
RAK	Veneered instrument panel  - $0 Luxury trim wood/woodgrain on dashboard
RAM	Color-Keyed Trunk Trim  - $1,400 Color-Keyed Trunk Trim
RAP	Veneered Steering Wheel Spokes  - $825 Wood steering wheel
RAU	RR Logo to all headrests in matching color to leather hide  - $725 RR Logo to all hdrests in match color to
RB1	Machined Metal Steering Wheel Spokes  - $675 Machined Metal Steering Wheel Spokes
RC1	Brushed Steel Package  - $10,100 Brushed Steel Package
RC3	Veneered Interior Cappings  - $4,025 Veneered Interior Cappings
RD3	Single Coachline  - $700 Single Coachline
RD4	Twin Coachlines  - $700 Twin Coachlines
RD9	Linear Colour Package  - $0 Linear Colour Package
REL	Camera System (front and rear)  - $3,800 Parking distance sensors front, rear and camera
RF5	21" Chromed Alloy Wheels including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-Flat Performance  - $3,350 Front and rear alloy chrome wheels with 21 inch rim diam; Front conventional tires with performance tread, 255 mm tire width, 50% tire profile and W tire rating run flat, rear conventional tires with performance tread, 285 mm tire width, 48% tire profile and W tire rating run flat; Excludes: [RFC] 21" Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels including chromed wheel centres with Goodyear EMT run-flatperformance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RFD] 21" Part Polished Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels Including Chromed Wheel Centres with Goodyear EMTrun-flat Performance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RFP] 21" Chrome Seven Spoke Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires And [RG1] 21" Forged, Star Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Center with Goodyear EMT Run Flat Performance tyres And [RG2] 21" Forged, Part Polished Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires
RFC	21" Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels including chromed wheel centres with Goodyear EMT run-flatperformance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear)  - $6,275 Front and rear alloy wheels with 21 inch rim diam; Front conventional tires with performance tread, 255 mm tire width, 50% tire profile and W tire rating run flat, rear conventional tires with performance tread, 285 mm tire width, 48% tire profile and W tire rating run flat; Excludes: [RF5] 21" Chromed Alloy Wheels including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-Flat Performance And [RFD] 21" Part Polished Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels Including Chromed Wheel Centres with Goodyear EMTrun-flat Performance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RFP] 21" Chrome Seven Spoke Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires And [RG1] 21" Forged, Star Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Center with Goodyear EMT Run Flat Performance tyres And [RG2] 21" Forged, Part Polished Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires
RFD	21" Part Polished Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels Including Chromed Wheel Centres with Goodyear EMTrun-flat Performance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear)  - $8,350 Front and rear alloy wheels with 21 inch rim diam; Front other tires with performance tread, 255 mm tire width, 50% tire profile and W tire rating run flat, rear other tires with performance tread, 285 mm tire width, 48% tire profile and W tire rating run flat; Excludes: [RF5] 21" Chromed Alloy Wheels including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-Flat Performance And [RFC] 21" Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels including chromed wheel centres with Goodyear EMT run-flatperformance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RFP] 21" Chrome Seven Spoke Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires And [RG1] 21" Forged, Star Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Center with Goodyear EMT Run Flat Performance tyres And [RG2] 21" Forged, Part Polished Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires
RFP	21" Chrome Seven Spoke Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires  - $5,500 Front and rear alloy chrome wheels with 21 inch rim diam; Front tires with 255 mm tire width, 50% tire profile and W tire rating run flat, rear tires with 285 mm tire width, 45% tire profile and W tire rating run flat; Excludes: [RF5] 21" Chromed Alloy Wheels including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-Flat Performance And [RFC] 21" Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels including chromed wheel centres with Goodyear EMT run-flatperformance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RFD] 21" Part Polished Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels Including Chromed Wheel Centres with Goodyear EMTrun-flat Performance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RG1] 21" Forged, Star Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Center with Goodyear EMT Run Flat Performance tyres And [RG2] 21" Forged, Part Polished Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires
RG1	21" Forged, Star Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Center with Goodyear EMT Run Flat Performance tyres  - $6,275 Front and rear alloy wheels with 21 inch rim diam; Front tires with performance tread, 255 mm tire width, 50% tire profile and W tire rating run flat, rear tires with performance tread, 285 mm tire width, 45% tire profile and W tire rating run flat; Excludes: [RF5] 21" Chromed Alloy Wheels including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-Flat Performance And [RFC] 21" Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels including chromed wheel centres with Goodyear EMT run-flatperformance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RFD] 21" Part Polished Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels Including Chromed Wheel Centres with Goodyear EMTrun-flat Performance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RFP] 21" Chrome Seven Spoke Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires And [RG2] 21" Forged, Part Polished Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires
RG2	21" Forged, Part Polished Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires  - $8,350 Front and rear alloy chrome wheels with 21 inch rim diam; Front tires with 255 mm tire width, 50% tire profile and W tire rating run flat, rear tires with 285 mm tire width, 45% tire profile and W tire rating run flat; Excludes: [RF5] 21" Chromed Alloy Wheels including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-Flat Performance And [RFC] 21" Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels including chromed wheel centres with Goodyear EMT run-flatperformance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RFD] 21" Part Polished Forged Seven Spoke Alloy Wheels Including Chromed Wheel Centres with Goodyear EMTrun-flat Performance tyres, 255/50R21W (front), 285/48R21W (rear) And [RFP] 21" Chrome Seven Spoke Including Chrome Wheel Centers with Goodyear EMT Run-flat Performance Tires And [RG1] 21" Forged, Star Alloy Wheels Including Chrome Wheel Center with Goodyear EMT Run Flat Performance tyres
RG8	Leather Headlining  - $3,350 Leather Headlining
RH3	Walnut Burr Veneer  - $0 Walnut Burr Veneer
RH7	Elm Cluster Veneer  - $0 Elm Cluster Veneer
RHB	Rosewood Veneer  - $0 Rosewood Veneer
RHD	Piano Black Veneer  - $0 Piano Black Veneer
RHN	Zebrano  - $0 Zebrano
RPD	Audio Integration for iPod  - $675 Connection to ext.entertainment devices ipod
RS5	Glove Box with Insert Preparation  - $725 Glove Box with Insert Preparation
RSC	Starlight Headlining in Bamboo  - $12,100 Starlight Headlining in Bamboo
RSD	Starlight Headlining in Dark Grey  - $12,100 Starlight Headlining in Dark Grey
SLO1	Individual Leather Colours, Excluding Carpet and Lambswool Rugs (from Phantom family palette)  - $3,950 Individual leather colours, family palet
SLO2	Individual Leather Colours, Excluding Carpet and Lambswool Rugs (from Bespoke palette)  - $7,760 Individual leather colors, Bespoke Palet
SLO3	Individual Leather Colours, Excluding Carpet and Lambswool Rugs (One-Off, New Development)  - $12,040 Indiv Leather Colors One Off, New Devlop

Source: Automobile Magazine

READ MORE - The cost of a 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coup�!

Car production: Labour hours required & some fine examples of craftsmanship!

Reading the press releases of the new Bentley Mulsanne and the Rolls-Royce Ghost, it's easy to understand why they cost so much money. But let's go back to the basics. How many hours per vehicle are required for a �normal� car to be built? As I was curious to find out the answer, I did a bit of research but before coming to the actual answer, it's wise to determine what we mean by �labour hours�.

�Hours per vehicle reflect the time worked by all direct and indirect labour involved in manufacturing a vehicle. This includes both hourly and salaried workers who are assigned to each company�s stamping, engine, transmission, and assembly plants. The total hours worked are divided by the number of vehicles produced in the calendar year to yield the labour hours per vehicle. It is not a measure of how long it takes for the vehicle to be assembled, rather it measures the quantity of labour required to produce a vehicle.� *

The average time required for a car to be built is around 30 - 35 hours and the graph below provides a global productivity comparison. Note that those labour hours don't take into account the hours required for components supplied by external suppliers. Also, you should bear in mind that more labour hours don't necessarily mean better quality, as too often, large numbers of people and labour hours are devoted to inspecting and repairing vehicles that have not been built right in the first place.

In 2009 issue of Oliver Wyman's automotivemanager, there some interesting facts regarding the gap between automakers, which you can read below.

�Of the six largest automakers in North America (General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chrysler, and Nissan), the gap between the most and least productive is now just 3.5 labour hours per vehicle, or about USD 260, down from 10.51 labour hours, or USD 709 per vehicle in 2003. Chrysler showed the biggest improvement, cutting its total manufacturing labour hours per vehicle by 8 percent to 30.37, approximately the same number recorded by Toyota. Performances of the other four companies were all similar: Honda, 31.33 hours; General Motors, 32.29 hours; Nissan, 32.96 hours; and Ford, 33.88 hours.� *

�In Europe, the gap between the most and least productive remains wide (from less than 20 hours per vehicle at the best plants to more than 60 at the worst). Some automakers have made substantial progress toward the types of sustainable manufacturing processes that characterize the world�s best competitors. Others have only just started or are just starting to implement the most basic tools of lean production.� *

So now, you can understand the price difference between a BMW 760Li and a Rolls-Royce Ghost. Achieving the highest level of quality and craftsmanship requires a lot of time and this is what you pay. A BMW 7 Series requires an average of 51 hours in order to be built, while a Ghost... 20 days! A BMW 760Li costs in Germany (base price) �121,260.50 + VAT, while the base price for a Rolls-Royce Ghost is �213,000.00 + VAT (the Ghost borrows 20% of its parts from BMW F01 platform underpinning the 7 Series, while it has a wheelbase, roof height, bonnet height and track widths all of its own).

Some fine examples of British craftsmanship!

Below you can read some impressive facts related to the craftsmanship of Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars, which offer unrivalled choice of veneers, leather hides and paint colours ensuring that the needs of all customers can be matched perfectly.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coup� uses an all-aluminium spaceframe, first seen in the Phantom. Manufactured to within a tolerance of just 0.1 mm / 0.004 in, each spaceframe is constructed by hand and then checked by computer to ensure total accuracy. The body�s structure, comprised of box sections of aluminium, is painstakingly hand-welded by a team of experts. Every morning, each member of the team performs a 300 mm test weld to ascertain atmospheric effects on the metal with which they are working so that these can be taken into account. In all, more than 130 metres of weld are used to create the Coup�s spaceframe.

Five layers of paint and clear lacquer are applied to each Rolls-Royce � seven if it�s a two-tone car � and between each application, technicians sand the body by hand. After the final layer has been applied, the body is hand-polished for five hours. Which is why when you look closely at the car's paint work, you�ll see a perfect reflection of yourself staring back at you. The painting process takes in total seven days to achieve. In that time, they spend longer sanding the bodyshell between coats by hand than they do painting it. Customers can choose from 15 standard exterior paint colours, or 45,000 Bespoke colours, for their Phantom.

Each set of veneers comes from a single tree to create a simple, seamless, flow of high-gloss wood from the fascia through the whole car. Depending on specification, up to 43 wood parts are used in each Rolls-Royce Phantom (this translates to more than 10m2 of wood). Each of these is constructed from up to 28 layers of wood, interspersed with thin sheets of aluminium to ensure strength and to prevent splintering in the event of an impact.

It takes between 15 and 18 hides to upholster one Phantom � more for the Phantom Extended Wheelbase. Each one comes from specially selected herds of cattle, and only the most supple mature bull hides are used. Each hide is checked meticulously by hand to identify any imperfections. The 450 individual leather parts are then cut out using a precision laser before being carefully stitched by hand.

Three different types of leather are used: natural grain for the seats and trims, pre-shrunk in sun-lit areas and tipped (embossed) on the centre console and door trims to provide an attractive variation.

It takes, on average, 460 hours to hand-build each Phantom, not including engine or body-building time.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost passes through 60 pairs of hands before it�s handed over to the customer. Modern manufacturing processes combine with traditional craft skills to turn the bodyshell into the finished car. In all, it involves over 2,000 individual operations and takes 20 days to complete. The body is constructed from steel sections and then wrapped in steel panels, which are brazed by hand. This allows a near-seamless join, which is then sanded by hand until it is perfect. In total, Ghost�s frame contains 4.9 m of seam weld and braze and 6,988 spot-welds. The bonnet and windscreen surround are then honed from aluminium.

A Bentley Mulsanne takes 9 weeks to complete and over 170 hours, almost half the entire build process, go into crafting the interior! Each steering wheel, for example, can take 15 hours to hand-stitch (and three times longer if the customer opts for cross-stitching). Stainless steel brightware gleams so perfectly thanks to an intensive 10-hour finishing process. A wood veneer takes two weeks to turn from a rough root ball into a full set of mirror-matched, fine-polished leaves.

The old-school Bentley models, Azure / Arnage / Brookland, are by far my favourite ones and the first chance I got to seat behind the steering wheel of such a car was at the British International Motor Show back in 1999 (it was a beautiful red Arnage!!!). Every veneer leaf is just 0.6mm thick and in the two weeks that it takes to prepare the wood for one car's interior, the veneers are given five coats of lacquer and three days of curing time before being wax polished by hand. The wood shop uses no bleaching or staining techniques; the rich colour of the veneers is entirely natural. It can take as many as 24 leaves of veneer to make the main veneered components of a Bentley cabin.

Each leaf of veneer can be traced back to the tree from which it came. The most popular choice is Burr Walnut, the distinctive pattern coming from a fungus in the root ball. These root balls, generally around 1 metre in diameter, would typically be over eighty years old. Each tree used for veneer is past its fruit-bearing age and is replaced with three more. Up to 6.2m2 of veneer is used in every standard Azure / Arnage / Brookland, each wood-set taking approximately sixty hours to complete.

It takes 17 separate hides to create the leather surrounds of the Azure / Arnage / Brookland interior cabin. To avoid any variation in texture between the different hides, they are selected and cut at the same time after being minutely inspected for imperfections. Even something as slight as a scratch or an insect bite will cause a hide to be rejected, which is why our hides are selected from herds in Northern Europe, renowned for their remarkable lack of imperfections (e.g. no mosquito bites).

Sources: 2009 issue of Oliver Wyman's automotivemanager (*), Bentley Motors, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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