bentley tour crewe

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BENTLEY LAUNCHES NEW PERSONALISED CUSTOMER TOUR EXPERIENCES AT CELEBRATED CREWE FACTORY

• New Luxury Visitor Centre and Experience hub to provide a fully immersive and bespoke physical and digital customer experience at the Home of Bentley
• Dedicated customer tour experiences created at ‘CW1 House’ and throughout the Bentley factory now provide the highest hospitality standards for guests to be entertained while they commission their new cars
• Guests treated to the Best of British craftsmanship and an unrivalled range of finishes, class-leading technology, sustainable materials and design excellence – a celebration of the flawless Bentley design DNA

(Crewe, 24 August 2023)  Bentley Motors has made further investments in its customer experiences by creating new fully immersive, innovative and digitally engaging experiences at its historic Crewe headquarters, which will launch from September 2023. From 1 September 2023, this new adaption of the manufacturing base will allow customers to create their own Bentley design legacy as well as enjoying a transformational, digitally immersive, 3D lineage experience that will bring the story of Bentley’s long and rich history to life. This significant development is a further extension of its landmark £2.5 billion investment in future product development and the Bentley ‘dream factory’ headquarters which employs over 4,000 people.  Bentley customers will be welcomed to Crewe by a dedicated host who will create a personalised factory tour to inspire and stimulate ideas for their final specification.  A new customer experience area in the Excellence Centre for Vehicle Finish will offer every opportunity to create a piece of custom art. Clients will be invited to choose from a range of the latest paint finishes, sustainable hides, stitching designs, finest wood veneers, hoods, carpets and seatbelt varieties with design consultants on hand to provide advice on combinations and final aesthetic that will make their dream car a reality.  The dedicated wood shop with more than nine sustainable wood finishes from around the world will enable customers to select their own veneers and learn how their car will be precision book and mirror matched. Bespoke finishes such as stone, carbon fibre and machine turned aluminium are also offered.  Caren Jochner, Global Head of Brand Experience at Bentley, said, “The Home of Bentley is a benchmark in production operations and sustainable luxury mobility leadership. It is something to be experienced and celebrated. We have invested heavily to provide the service our clients expect and are now providing interactive immersive solutions that will enable each customer to learn and interact as well as creating a legacy and opportunity to invest in a piece of Bentley history. “Our customer experience centre, CW1 House, is a place where we can entertain our customers in an exclusive environment and they can enjoy being immersed in the Bentley brand. The skill and passion of our craftspeople who work with the finest materials is now supported by immersive digital innovations such as the 180-degree show in Lineage and our new Phygital Table creates opportunities for clients to customise their preferred factory tour using touch screen technology.” Beyond100 will see the Bentley factory (already carbon neutral) becoming carbon positive by 2030. It has resulted in a complete transformation of the product portfolio, Crewe campus and greenfield facility, targeting benchmark production operations and sustainable luxury mobility leadership. The first ever Battery-Powered Electric Vehicle (BEV) Bentley will also be developed and built at the UK factory. The new Factory Tour celebrates its sustainability success at every part of the journey, showcasing not only dedication to ensuring materials are sourced ethically but also how solar power is harnessed, the environment is protected through planting on site and how Bentley is nourishing the future with its own family of Bentley Bees. – ENDS –

Press release - 240823 - Bentley launches new visitor experiences at celebrated Crewe factory.pdf (111.7 KB)

Wayne Bruce

Chief Communications and D&I Officer

Press Release

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Bentley Launches Customer Tours At Its Crewe Factory

Bentley brings its luxury customers to its historic yet futuristic home..

The world of luxury cars is ever-evolving, and Bentley has just set a new benchmark with the launch of personalized customer tour experiences at its celebrated Crewe factory. Starting from September 1, 2023, Bentley’s new luxury visitor center and experience hub are set to redefine the customer experience, offering an immersive and bespoke blend of physical and digital engagements at the historic home of Bentley.

With the unveiling of dedicated customer tours created at ‘CW1 House’ and throughout the Bentley factory, guests will now be entertained with the highest hospitality standards while they commission their new cars. The tours will highlight the best of British craftsmanship, an unrivaled range of finishes, class-leading technology, sustainable materials, and design excellence – all of which celebrate the flawless Bentley design DNA.

More About Bentley

The newly adapted manufacturing base is all about client engagement. Bentley aims to allow customers to create their own design legacy while enjoying a transformational 3D lineage experience that brings the rich history of Bentley to life. This development, part of a landmark $3 billion investment in future product development and the Bentley headquarters, ensures a top-tier experience for over 4,000 employees.

Customers will be greeted by a dedicated host at Crewe, who will create a personalized factory tour designed to inspire and stimulate ideas for their car’s final specification. The Excellence Centre for Vehicle Finish will be a hub of creativity where clients can choose from a wide range of paint finishes, sustainable hides, stitching designs, wood veneers, carpets, and more. Bentley’s expert design consultants will be on hand to provide guidance to make each customer’s dream car a reality.

A highlight of this new experience is the dedicated wood shop with over nine sustainable wood finishes from around the world. This allows customers to select their own veneers and see the precision book and mirror-matching process. Bespoke finishes such as stone, carbon fiber, and machine-turned aluminium are also available, adding to the overall experience.

Bentley’s commitment to sustainability is also at the forefront. By 2030, the Bentley factory aims to be carbon-positive, reflecting a complete transformation of the product portfolio, campus, and facilities. The first-ever Battery-Powered Electric Vehicle (BEV) Bentley is currently in development at the UK factory, showcasing dedication to ethical sourcing, solar power harnessing, and environmental protection. A unique aspect of the Crewe campus is the family of Bentley Bees, which further nourishes Bentley’s sustainable future.

Caren Jochner, Global Head of Brand Experience at Bentley, encapsulated the vision by saying, “The Home of Bentley is something to be experienced and celebrated.” The new customer experience center, CW1 House, allows customers to immerse themselves in the Bentley brand fully.

The Bentley Crewe factory’s new customer experience is set to redefine how customers connect with their cars. With a strong commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, technology, and sustainability, Bentley continues to position itself at the forefront of luxury automotive experiences. By marrying the traditional with the digital, the brand has once again proven why it’s a leader in the automotive world.

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Gallery: Bentley Tour Experience

Sources: Bentley

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Tour the Factory Where Bentley Handcrafts Its Luxury Rides

Most automotive factories pride themselves on how quickly they can stamp out new cars. Last year, Volkswagen’s massive plant in Wolfsburg, Germany—the largest in the world—stamped out about 3,500 Golfs and Tiguans a day. That’s about two cars a minute, using robots, perpetual shift changes, and precisely choreographed, just-in-time parts delivery strategies from a global network of suppliers.

Five hundred miles west of Wolfsburg, Volkswagen’s UK-based, upscale cousin prefers slow cooker to cookie cutter. Bentley’s factory in Crewe, near Manchester, rolls out a relatively paltry 26 Continental GT coupes and Flying Spur sedans, 31 Bentayga SUVs , and five flagship Mulsannes each day. The factory is just as clean and efficient as any other, but it’s geared for the kind of carmaker that sends its workers into the world to find just the right cows for its leather interiors.

Though the Crewe factory employs just one robot —a rather disappointing rig that applies adhesive to windshields—it has automated sleds shuffling assemblies down the line, high-tech analytical gear for developing new materials, and several computerized leather cutters that map out all the bits and pieces for seats, steering wheels, and door panels that they can extract from a single hide, leaving just wispy remnants to go into the recycling.

The real clue to the 4,000-employee factory’s organizational gestalt, however, can be gleaned from the fact that while the main assembly line runs just eight hours a day—a single shift—the leather and wood production facilities operate around the clock. It seems that manufacturing the softer bits, the ones that come into direct contact with the occupants, takes a lot more time and effort, as well as a more hands-on approach, than all the metal, composites, and wiring that make up the rest of the car. Click through the gallery above for a closer look.

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Bentley factory tour: Handcrafted at Crewe

Your typical car plant bustles with activity, metamorphosing raw materials into finished products over an intricate process involving heavy machinery, a synchronised dance of robots, and, of course, lots of manpower. Daily output is in the hundreds, and for some carmakers, it’s in the thousands. I almost see an alternate reality at Bentley’s plant in Crewe, UK. There are no welding sparks flying around (the car bodies are made in Germany); there’re all of two robots (Romeo and Juliet, as they’ve been christened, which apply the adhesive around the windscreen); and, on the busiest of days, less than 80 cars will roll off the production line.

Hide and seek

On the agenda was a look at the ‘arts and crafts’ side of Bentley production. The making of the elements that lend a Bentley its warmth, elegance and exclusivity. Our first port of call was the leather station, where we gathered interesting tidbits of information. For instance, Bentley only uses bull hide sourced from high-altitude ranches in the Scandinavian region. The altitude is critical because it minimises the likelihood of mosquito bites and hence keeps imperfections to a minimum. Leatherworkers mark out usable portions, which are then precisely cut by laser. Also, in a Bentley, if it looks like leather, it is. The reason why a Bentayga EWB needs up to 17 hides.  

It was fascinating to watch how the army of embroiderers breathed life into the leather. Except for the optional winged Bentley insignia on the headrests, for which a machine is used, virtually all other stitching is done by hand. Many of the artisans are decades into the job and can identify a part they’ve worked on by merely looking at it. Funnily enough, a humble table fork is used to mark the stitch points on the steering!

You can’t talk Bentley and not talk wood. We were led into the humidity-controlled veneer storeroom that’s home to wood from all over the world. The wood in the room alone was worth as much as a Bentley or two, but that’s beside the point. It’s an eclectic collection of oak, walnut, maple, and much more, all from trees that have naturally fallen and not been felled. It’s the patterns that give each type of wood its personality, we’re told, so think hard before signing off on a plain piano black finish.

Wood isn’t your thing? There’s carbon fibre and machined surfacing, too. Or you could even opt for a stone-look finish. Interestingly, the stones used to make the surface sheets come from India.

We didn’t see the paint shop in action, but ‘man maximum, machine minimum’ seems to be the philosophy there, too. Each car is hand sprayed and it usually takes a team of technicians 12 hours to polish the surface (with lambswool, no less) to final mirror-like glory. Oh, and should none of the 88 standard colours on the palette do it for you, Bentley will create one for you. Digital colour matching has seemingly unlocked buyer’s imaginations. A car finished in a lustrous red to match a rare nail polish is one of many examples we’re given. The crew at Crewe have seen and delivered it all.    

Custom beauty

Notably, custom body colour is a typical entry point for Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division. Buyers start with exterior paint and, more often than not, find themselves discussing the minutiae of interior personalisations. From selecting the colour and pattern of the stitching on the seats to details like custom wood inlays rendered in mother of pearl, the world of Mulliner is your oyster. We saw illustrations of a very pink Bentayga with a bright but tasteful interior for a customer in Beverly Hills, USA. Your wish is Bentley’s command—for a huge price, of course. 

There are guidelines that must be adhered to, though. You can’t alter the Bentley logo, and materials that could compromise the operation of safety systems are a strict no-no. Requests for crocodile leather are turned down, for instance. For more comprehensive projects, Mulliner’s designers help develop customisations with buyers, and the process can take weeks. An in-person meet at Crewe is the preferred mode, but you could sign off on your personalised Bentley over a Zoom call, too, should pesky multi-million dollar deals need your attention elsewhere.

Demand for Mulliner customisations has grown over the years and is reflective of a growing desire for exclusivity at the very top tier of the automotive world. Having seen the possibilities firsthand, I’ve worked out the specs of my dream Continental GT. It’d be finished in the colours of the Indian team with cricket ball red leather on the inside, thank you very much. 

To the good folks at Mulliner, hope to see you in a few years!

To be continued…

Believe it or not, the Bentley Speed 6 Blower pictured here was made in 2021! It is a part of Mulliner’s Continuation Series, a programme of authentic recreation of some of Bentley’s icons. An original Blower was stripped down and its parts scanned to create a digital model. Bentley engineers then used 1920s moulds and tooling jigs to create parts for the 12 Blower Continuations that are already spoken for.

Save for safety upgrades to the fuel lines, the cars are true to the original in every which way—including the supercharged, 4,398cc four-cylinder engine. The Continuation series cars are not road-legal. In meticulous assembly at the moment is a batch of 12 Speed Sixes, modelled on the car that won the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Made for India

Region-specific specials are big at Bentley, and what you see here are the first Mulliner Bespoke Edition cars for India. Called the Opulence Edition, the offerings included a Flying Spur, a Continental GT Speed and three Bentayga EWBs. Their Scarab Green exterior finish and Mandarin Orange main interior hide are a tribute to the tri-colours on India’s flag. Also set on to the fascia are a chrome motif of mountains representing the Himalayas and three running horses, symbolising growth and prosperity. The Bentayga EWB Opulence Edition is made only in a 4-seater configuration. Price? Well, if you need to ask...

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Bentley Motors Factory Tour Experience

We visited the Bentley factory to find out exactly how their luxury cars are put together.

Bentley Factory Museum

Our host, Lee Grogan, greeted us upon arrival and guided us around Bentley’s historic museum. A striking image of the man himself, automotive pioneer, W. O. Bentley, caught our eyes immediately. Surrounding W. O. are pictures marking milestones in the company’s history. And what a journey it has been! From creating one of the first ever successful performance cars, to building aeroplane engines, up to the present day by creating some of the most impressive landmark cars on the planet. What a career!

We had the pleasure of seeing the oldest surviving Bentley, the EXP2. This model made history by being faster than everything else around at the time. As you can see below, it is a prized possession and in pristine condition for its age. Surprisingly, the car is still capable of being driven on the road and track from time to time, which as a car enthusiast is something you truly have to appreciate.

The rest of the museum displayed iconic cars from the early days of the Bentley marque. It was incredible to see vehicles built to such a high standard in the early twentieth century. Each car has its own story to tell but all are linked to the great success of Bentley Motors. Learning about these cars gives you a great insight into how the company has become the benchmark of the motoring industry that it is today.

The first 20 minutes on the factory tour were the key to understanding the working business side of Bentley Motors. Bentley’s designs are showcased all around the room. Several concepts and designs are on display with a large-scale tape drawing hanging in the background. These allow designers to actively manoeuvre the car’s lines in a realistic scale. It is quite rare to be able to look at these things in person.

A demonstration of technique opened our eyes to what we often overlook. We were fortunate enough to see the panel beaters’ handiwork. Generally taken for granted is the craftsmanship of the woodwork underneath. It was great to see this demonstration below, giving a glimpse to what is underneath these classic cars.

Bentayga Production Line

Video produced by : Daniel Barnett

Next, we stepped out of the museum and straight into the Bentayga production line. We see here a freshly painted model at its bare minimum spec, waiting for assembly. The car currently on the production line was painted and doors were fitted. However, they will soon be removed again for the interior trim to be fitted away from the vehicle. The doors have been accurately weighted when fitted to ensure a perfect fit once they are installed with glass and Bentley’s premium materials.

As we continued to watch the Bentayga on the production line, we noticed this is a superb modern set-up. Accuracy and accountability are the key features for this build. You can see the technician below who is carefully attaching bolts to the car. The machine seen below monitors and programmes each unique torque setting accurately. If there was an issue with a car in the future, it is possible to pinpoint which engineer tightened which bolt at what time and with which torque setting. This is crucial for the development of the model, while tracking and correcting issues on an ongoing basis.

Now, we see an engine fitted with the transmission and front running gear. All of this is built in advance outside of the car and can be easily slotted into the Bentayga using a selection of highly precise bolts. The engine is carefully built and tested long before it’s put into the car.

Great Working Environment – Bentley Factory

The workshop within the Bentley production line was far larger than I had expected for such a luxury and niche vehicle. Tooled to the max, it is a great working environment for the employees and offers a premium build for what could be the best 4×4 you can buy.

Later, I could not help but marvel at the engineering capabilities of the modern day. Bentley go to every length to create the smoothest panels with the least amount of visible joints possible, creating what looks to be seamless bodywork all around the car. I think this is one thing that we often overlook. But when you stop to think about it, it is a huge engineering process to achieve this.

Finally, towards the final production stages of the car, we can see things like customer-chosen alloy wheels and tyres fitted, fluids added and checks performed.

Within the factory, ergonomics are key when working to create the ultimate vehicle. We can see here where the headlining is being wrapped. Workers fit the headlining to their own customisable table.  They can then comfortably and efficiently create the best possible job before fitting it to the car.  This illustrates Bentley’s commitment to pleasing the worker as well as the customer.

And, here we can see the doors being brought back to the car after they have been fitted with the customer’s specification. This is the same door that the model was originally painted with and is now being put back into place to complete the vehicle.

Woodshop Centre of Excellence – Bentley Factory

Bentley Motors have carved out a name for themselves for manufacturing upscale, quality automobiles. One of their long-standing trademarks has been beautiful interiors. A key part of that has been the wood veneer available inside the car. The choices are endless when it comes to veneer. There are materials available from all over the world that are environmentally sourced but also highly attractive to the consumer. The room below shows examples of how all the materials could look in your car, not to mention how various levels of craftsmanship create the ultimate interior.

For example, we explored the storeroom that holds all of the veneer packs. Each of these packs is enough to cover one car. There were roughly around seven extra sheets to compensate for any flaws in the material or damage during the handmade creations. Rumours state that Bentley store the additional pieces for the lifetime of the car. However, this is incorrect. As when a car is out in the real world, environmental conditions will alter appearances over time. So allocating spares to be stored long term would have no additional benefit.

Below we can see how Bentley use the latest robotic laser technology to accurately and efficiently cut out the veneers with minute accuracy, ensuring the best possible build process for your new vehicle.

So, clearly, the technical craftsmanship inside the Bentley woodshop is second to none. Examples below show apprentice-created bespoke designs using woodwork done by hand. The complexity of this process is unfathomable. But I can truly appreciate the work going into creating this and how beautiful the outcome is. It would be a great privilege to have this craftsmanship inside any vehicle.

Veneer Finishing – Bentley Factory

Once these layers have been designed, created and crafted, they go through a very extreme finishing process that takes years to master. We can see in the pictures below how craftsmen will sand down the woodwork using their experience paired with various hand-made tools to achieve a fine finish before the final inspection.

Leather Centre of Excellence – Bentley Factory

Then, of course, no Bentley would be complete without ultra-premium leather seats. We walked around Bentley’s hugely advanced leather workshop. The possibilities blew my mind. Depending on the model you are specifying, there are between eight and twelve hides needed to create your car interior. However, Bentley are very smart in how they do this. They use computers as well as eyes to scan the imperfections. But they also use computers to configure the best way of cutting all the pieces out of the hide. Thereby minimising the loss, this is the most responsible and efficient way to make the car interior.

First Class Embroidery – Bentley Factory

Even more these days, embroidery in the car is a must. The customisation options are endless with the Bentley brand. For example, you can choose to have your car make or model embroidered into the seat upholstery, even your name or your business name. The options are infinite. Below is an example of a sewing machine which is embroidering a Bentley logo into the leather headrest. The machine is fast, with blistering accuracy and an impressive finish.

A Pit Stop For Ideas – Bentley Factory

During the tour, we entered a room where they bring customers to demonstrate different ideas for customising their car. As you can see, it contains materials, textures, colours and things you simply want to touch. This is great for inspiration and shows just how flexible Bentley are as a business.

Engine Build Centre of Excellence – Bentley Factory

But let’s not forget about the engine process of a Bentley. The brand has earned a reputation for their beautiful W12 engine over many years. It is the trademark of the British motoring company.

As you can imagine, hours and hours go into building these hugely powerful engines. But just as important is the testing process of these engines. You can see below a new engine in a test bed. Both humans and computers analyse an engine to ensure that it is running correctly before it is placed in the car. Each of the engines undergoes simulated test drives, ensuring optimum performance. Bentley also take this process one step further. Once a month, they test a single engine for eight hours at full RPM, stress-testing the build quality to ensure their engines are built to last.

Being able to walk around the engines in a partly built state was a real sight for sore eyes. Seeing all the different mechanisms and components that build these hugely powerful engines was awe-inspiring. This was a great treat for a car enthusiast.

Also, one lucky member of staff tests the engine, and when satisfied, puts their name on top of it, stating that the engine is certified to be of standard. I can imagine this is a huge privilege at the Bentley factory and I’m slightly jealous that other people get to do this.

Off the Production Line – The Bentley Boutique

Finally, finishing the tour there was no better way of doing it than taking a look at the Bentley Boutique. Many people who visit the factory, travel from all around the world and a lot of them want to take a souvenir home with them. The products vary from aftershave, speaker systems, watches, to bottle toppers or even luggage. Whether you already own a Bentley or desire to in the future, there are lots of goodies to please you.

More info: Bentley

Hi, I am a driver of a Bently Arnarge for my neighbour,and would like to know when the next group of tours are available please for him to see how his car was made.thanks colin.

Hi, the tours are normally run on a regular basis. Take a look here – https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/world-of-bentley/experiences/factory-tour/factory-visits-and-the-bentley-experience.html

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Bentley Will Give Personalized Tours at Its U.K. Factory Starting This Fall

Learn about the marque while you design your dream ride., rachel cormack.

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Bentley is rolling out the red carpet for collectors.

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In the Excellence Centre for Vehicle Finish, for instance, clients can peruse the latest paint finishes, sustainable hides , stitching designs, wood veneers, hoods, carpets, and seatbelt varieties. Bentley’s design consultants will be on hand to provide advice on the different combinations and will ensure your four-wheeler is exactly to your liking.

“We have invested heavily to provide the service our clients expect and are now providing interactive immersive solutions that will enable each customer to learn and interact as well as creating a legacy and opportunity to invest in a piece of Bentley history,” Caren Jochner, global head of brand experience at Bentley, said in a statement . 

The marque has invested $3.1 billion (£2.5 billion) in future product development and the “dream factory.” The headquarters are already carbon neutral but will be carbon positive by 2030. The first Bentley EV will also be developed and built at the U.K. factory.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Bentley Motor Cars Crewe Factory Tour

The twin-turbo W-12 engine is fully assembled in Crewe from castings and parts sent in from Germany and elsewhere. The engines move through 21 stations along a U-shaped assembly line, riding on automated robotic carriers.

The first time the engine runs is in this jig, which motors the engine without fuel or spark to test for fluid pressures, excess friction, and proper intake and exhaust pressures. Later the engine will be started and run throughout its operating range.

Wood from the three-foot-diameter root-ball of an 80-some-year-old tree is shaved to about the thickness of good quality art paper (0.6mm). Some manufacturers laminate this to the aluminum substrate directly, but that doesnít give the touch and feel of thick wood apropos of a Bentley, so between the aluminum and the top veneer layer are sandwiched five layers of tulip-poplar wood and glue. A sheet of Mylar is placed atop the veneer to protect it, and then it is compressed at 1160 psi at 239 degrees F to fuse the part together. Next come several sanding and polishing steps, before five coats of polyester lacquer are applied robotically.

The suppliers bundle sheets of veneer in stacks shaved from the same section of the tree root ball, which allows the Bentley craftsman to book match the grain (this means the grain is perfectly symmetrical about a line in the center of the panel), and mirror matched (meaning the door or dash panel on one side of the car looks almost identical to the one on the opposite side, as shown on these two Continental GT door panels.

ll leather upholstery is also prepared and sewn on site, by hand using 17 hides for an Arnage sedan, 11 for a Continental GT. In the foreground, associates are taping off areas of sub-par leather on a particular hide (deep grain belly leather, areas with insect bites, etc.). In the background, a Gerber machine scans for these taped areas, and then lays out and cuts the parts needed to make seats, trim panels, etc.

Next the parts are sewn together by hand.

Hand-sewing a steering wheel requires two needles pulling 852 cm of cotton thread through 234 stitches.

Six cars were being run through final quality check during our visit. This one is about to have its rear bumper installed. Under ordinary production conditions, each car will spend 17 minutes stopped in each of 54 assembly stations.

At this station a final electrical check is made of the 32 electronic control units and myriad switches and connections, before any interior trim is fitted.

Here all the fluids except the gasoline are being topped up.

At this station the interior trim will be installed.

And this corner of the factory is where the new Continentals and Arnages roll off their separate assembly lines.

Also located at the Crewe site is the Mulliner custom shop, where Her Majesty the Queen's first ever Bentley limousine was designed and built. This is the clay model for it. Roughly half of all Arnage models currently detour through the Mulliner works for customization that can range from monograms in the wood, to DVD players, to full custom stretched and/or armored limousines. We saw two cars bound for Saudi Arabia that were stretched, with the extra space in the front seat and lengthened front doors and raised roofs, because Arab royals prefer to ride in front with their attendants and assistants in the back. It's all about having it your way at Mulliner!

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Bentley Motors – A Factory Tour

100 years of grand touring. One Summer Tour. Book your personal drive now.

To mark Bentley’s Centenary, this year’s Bentley Summer Tour will take in some of Europe’s most scenic locations, on a route inspired by the brand’s long tradition of grand touring. At each destination, the latest cars from the Bentley range, including the elegant new Continental GT Convertible, will be available for hourlong personal test drives along spectacular coastal roads. With the Bentley Boys on hand to ensure you appreciate the drive to the full, you will experience the unique combination of thrilling performance, cutting-edge technology and handcrafted luxury that makes every journey exhilarating.  

YOUR BENTLEY SUMMER TOUR TEST DRIVE

Mallorca 7-30 June • Saint-Tropez 5 July - 4 August • Mykonos 9-25 August • Porto Cervo 29 June - 01 September • Algarve 22 July - 16 August  

NEW FLYING SPUR POP UP SHOWROOM Porto Cervo 6 July - 18 August

07.06.2019 – 30.06.2019 ST. REGIS MARDAVALL MALLORCA RESORT

Just ten minutes' drive from downtown Palma, the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort is enchantingly situated between the cliffs and the yacht harbor of Puerto Portals. One of the island's most exceptional hotels, its design and appointments reflect its surroundings – as with all establishments comprised within the exclusive St. Regis brand. ​​​​​​* This stop is operated by Bentley Motors Europe

05.07.2019 – 04.08.2019 CHEVAL BLANC SAINT - TROPEZ

​​​​​​ Under the Mediterranean sun, a new Maison amongst the Cheval Blanc collection opens its doors on May 16th. Cheval Blanc Saint-Tropez chose the Bravades, the hour of its echoing legendary barrels and gunning sounds to cast off. While the village is in full effervescence, it is greeting a haven of serene tranquillity, a place of peace by the seaside. A gastronomic dinner at La Vague d’Or, a Guerlain ritual at the Cheval Blanc Spa, a rest under the shade of pines on the terrace, the freshness of a sparkling sip after a swim.

​​​​​​* This stop is operated by Bentley Motors Europe

09.08.2019 – 25.08.2019 THE MYCONIAN COLLECTION MYKONOS

Within this extraordinary family business, the synthesis of heritage, loyalty and emotion lies at the heart of the Myconian Collection’s success. As a guest at one of the hotels, you quite literally have the entire Myconian Collection at your feet, with an exciting variety of restaurants, bars, pool decks and spas that can be explored at your leisure and with the guidance and consistently superb service of our friendly staff.

06.07.2019 – 18.08.2019 NEW FLYING SPUR PORTO CERVO

Bentley is innovating beyond the existing boundaries of performance, refinement and luxury, to introduce an all-new four-door Grand Tourer. Full details of this exciting new model will follow later this year. At our exclusive pop up showroom at the Waterfront of Costa Smeralda, you will have the unique opportunity to be one of the first to get a glimpse of the new Flying Spur.

29.06.2019 – 01.09.2019 POLTU QUATU PORTO CERVO

The Grand Hotel Poltu Quatu, located on famed Sardinia's Emerald Coast, is hidden away in an almost secret location just a mile away from Porto Cervo enjoying enchanting views of little white buildings embellished with lush Mediterranean vegetation and facing the crystalline La Maddalena Archipelago: a charming place where the harmony between nature and architecture reigns. An intimate and peaceful oasis, the Resort is designed with style and elegantly decorated.    *this stop is operated by Bentley Milano for Bentley Motors Europe

22.07.2019 – 16.08.2019 TIVOLI MARINA VILAMOURA ALGARVE

The iconic Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort is far more than a luxury 5 star hotel in Vilamoura. Sophisticated, savvy and directly on the beachfront, it sets the tone for the best contemporary holidays. Superlative leisure and sports facilities, with a variety of restaurants and bars, ensure that all ages have the holiday of a lifetime. For couples, our airy suites provide a leisurely sense of space, while our exclusive, laid-back Purobeach summer beach club makes those long summer days and nights the ones to remember. *this stop is operated by Bentley Lisbon for Bentley Motors Europe

Bentley Crewe factory tour: Engine assembly

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About Bentley

Bentley Foundation

History and heritage, people and expertise, factory tour, bentley news.

Discover the latest news from the fascinating world of Bentley. Experience a broad range of topics from events to motorsport. Explore the stories to find out more.

W.O. Bentley founded the company that carries his name on 10 July 1919. Now, more than 100 years later, his name is known across the globe for creating cars with an unrivalled blend of performance and craftsmanship.

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Registered Office: Pyms Lane, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 3PL, England. Registered in England: Number 992897

Bentley Drivers Club Tour Visits Crewe – Photos and Video

Bentley Motors rolled out the red carpet to welcome over a hundred members of the Bentley Drivers Club (BDC) – and their fifty Bentleys – to its headquarters in Crewe on 21 June, 2011.

The visit was part of the “Britain by Bentley” tour which celebrates the club’s 75th anniversary by emulating the tradition of the grand tour and traversing some 3,000 miles of UK roads in a range of models that span 80 years of Bentley’s history.

Drivers have travelled from around the world to take part in the event: Syd and Nikki Reinhardt have travelled from Australia with their 1927 6 ½ litre Mulsanne whilst others like Jenny Ford and her Blower Bentley are already based in the UK.

The drivers arrived at Crewe Hall on Monday, 20 June, 2011 for a gala dinner with executive members from Bentley Motors. They then travelled to Bentley’s Pyms Lane site under an honorary police escort this morning for a tour of the factory where new models such as the Mulsanne and new Continental GT are now in full production.

Richard Charlesworth, Bentley’s Director of Royal and VIP Relations, who hosted the visit said, “No grand tour of Britain by Bentley would be complete without a visit to our headquarters here in Crewe. We are delighted to welcome so many members of the Bentley Drivers Club and their vehicles today. It is a unique and very special occasion to have so many rare and historic Bentleys gathered here in Crewe.”

Jenny Ford, Chair of the Bentley Drivers Club remarked, “The Bentley Drivers Club was set up 75 years ago by Bentley owners who revelled in driving their cars. We are proud to maintain that tradition today and have greatly enjoyed the warm welcome extended to us and the opportunity to see the Bentley factory flourishing.”

Bentley Drivers Club Tour Visits Bentley Headquarters in Crewe – Photos (click image for larger picture)

Bentley Drivers Club Tour Visits Bentley Headquarters in Crewe – Video

— [Source: Bentley]

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One comment.

What a terrific video of the Bentley Drivers Club`s visit ti Crewe as part of their UK Tour! I`ve been a BDC member for some forty years and played a small part in organizing a bit of the BDC`s “Northeast USA Tour 2009”.  It was great seeing a few of the thirty-some participants who brought their Bentleys over here for that one, Jenny Ford and Richard Freestone among others. I would love to have participated but doubt my aging Subaru would have fit in, even being the right shade of green….

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