Narrator: TODAY ON "HOW IT'S MADE: DREAM CARS,"
THE ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH
AND THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED,
TWO SUPERCAR FOR YOUR INNER SUPER SPY.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
ASTON MARTIN BUILDS THE VANQUISH AT THEIR MAIN
PRODUCTION FACILITY IN WARWICKSHIRE, ENGLAND.
THEY'VE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST QUINTESSENTIAL
BRITISH CAR COMPANIES SINCE THEIR FOUNDING IN 1913.
ASTON MARTIN'S LONG RELATIONSHIP
WITH BRITISH SUPER SPY JAMES BOND
BEGAN IN THE 1964 FILM "GOLDFINGER."
SINCE THAT FILM, THE MANUFACTURER'S ASSOCIATION
WITH BOND HAS BEEN CEMENTED IN POPULAR CULTURE.
ALTHOUGH THE EARLIEST ASTON MARTINS PREDATE BOND,
FROM THE DB5 ONWARD,
THEY HAVE BEEN INDELIBLY LINKED TO THE FAMOUS FILM ICON.
YOU CAN HAVE YOUR ASTON MARTIN CUSTOMIZED,
BUT IT'S UNLIKELY TO COME WITH 007 EXTRAS,
LIKE A PASSENGER EJECTOR SEAT
OR MACHINE GUNS MOUNTED ON THE HOOD.
THE ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH HAS ULTRALIGHT
CARBON-FIBER BODY PANELS AND AN EIGHT-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX.
WITH A POWERFUL SIX-LITER V-12 ENGINE
CAPABLE OF LAUNCHING FROM ZERO TO 60 IN JUST 3.8 SECONDS,
THIS CAR UPDATES THE LEGEND OF ASTON MARTIN IN HIGH STYLE.
THE VANQUISH'S CHASSIS STRUCTURE IS BUILT
FROM EXTRUDED ALUMINUM COMPONENTS,
WHICH PROVIDES A LIGHTWEIGHT BASIS
WITH THE REQUIRED STRENGTH AND TORSIONAL RIGIDITY IDEAL
FOR A HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORTS CAR.
TECHNICIANS MOUNT CHASSIS PARTS ON THESE SPECIALIZED JIGS,
WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO HOLD THE COMPONENT FIRMLY IN PLACE.
COLOR-CODED AND NUMBERED FOR EASE OF USE,
THE JIGS INCREASE THE SAFETY AND SPEED OF PRODUCTION.
ONCE A COMPONENT IS CLAMPED ON, WORKERS CAN USE
POWERFUL RIVETING MACHINES TO INSTALL THREADED STUDS.
THESE ARE USED TO ACCURATELY SECURE COMPONENTS
DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS
AND FOR ATTACHING THE WIRING HARNESS.
THEY ALSO PROVIDE SOMETHING
CALLED AN EARTH PATH AROUND THE CAR.
THIS REFERS TO HOW THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GROUNDED.
¶¶
A TECHNICIAN ALSO APPLIES A BONDING AGENT
TO THE ATTACHMENT AREAS.
ADHESIVE INCREASES THE RIGIDITY OF THE STRUCTURE
WITHOUT ADDING WEIGHT.
EMPLOYEES USE SPECIALIZED LIFTING DEVICES
CALLED ASSISTERS TO BRING THE PARTS OF THE CHASSIS TOGETHER.
THEY CONNECT ALL THE COMPONENTS OF THE CHASSIS
WITH ADHESIVE AND RIVETS.
THE COMPANY'S ENGINEERS HAVE GONE TO PAINSTAKING LENGTHS
TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE OPTIMIZED
EVERY ELEMENT OF THE CAR.
FOR INSTANCE, THE ENGINE SITS SLIGHTLY LOWER IN THIS CHASSIS
THAN IN PREVIOUS MODELS.
THIS ACHIEVES A LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY,
A CRUCIAL FACTOR IN THE CAR'S ENHANCED HANDLING AND AGILITY.
THE CHASSIS STRUCTURE IS A BONDED ALUMINUM MONOCOQUE,
WHICH IS PART OF WHAT ASTON MARTIN CALLS
THE CAR'S V.H. ARCHITECTURE.
THE "V" IN V.H. STANDS FOR "VERTICAL,"
WHICH MEANS BODY-CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES
THAT ARE SHARED WITH OTHER ASTON MARTIN MODELS.
THE "H" STANDS FOR HORIZONTAL AND REFERS TO SYSTEMS,
SUCH AS SUSPENSIONS UNITS AND ENGINES,
THAT ARE SHARED WITH OTHER CAR MODELS.
THE VANQUISH CAN BE EASILY UPGRADED
WITH NEWER COMPONENTS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
NOW TECHNICIANS POSITION AND ATTACH THE WINDSHIELD FRAME.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, ASTON MARTIN HAS BEEN ABLE
TO INCLUDE A FULL-HEIGHT WINDSHIELD
FOR BOTH THE CONVERTIBLE AND COUPE EDITIONS OF THE VANQUISH.
NOW THE STRUCTURE WILL HEAD INTO A GIANT OVEN.
THIS WILL SPEED UP THE CURING TIME FOR THE ADHESIVE.
¶¶
ONE ADVANTAGE BONDING ADHESIVE HAS OVER WELDING
IS THAT IT DOES NOT DISTORT THE METAL.
IT'S NOW TIME TO CLOTHE THE VANQUISH
IN ITS STREAMLINED SUIT OF CARBON-FIBER PANELS.
CARBON FIBER IS AN EXTRAORDINARY MATERIAL.
IT'S STRONGER THAN STEEL AND LIGHTER THAN ALUMINUM.
IT ADDS TORSIONAL RIGIDITY TO THE CAR
WHILE HELPING IT MAINTAIN A LOW CURB WEIGHT.
CUSTOMERS CAN CHOOSE ANY COLOR SCHEME THEY WISH.
CARBON FIBER ALLOWS DESIGNERS
TO CREATE LARGE SINGLE-PIECE SURFACES.
THIS MEANS FEWER PANELS,
GIVING THE CAR CLEANER, UNBROKEN LINES.
¶¶
THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED,
COMBINES LUXURY WITH TURBOCHARGED PERFORMANCE --
TWO MUST-HAVES FOR ANY SECRET AGENT.
W.O. BENTLEY FOUNDED HIS COMPANY OUTSIDE OF LONDON IN 1919.
AFTER WORLD WAR II, IT MOVED TO CREWE
IN CHESHIRE, ENGLAND.
AMONG THE CARS KEPT ON DISPLAY IS A SPEED SIX,
AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS OLD NUMBER 2.
BUILT IN 1930, IT'S PART OF A SERIES OF LEGENDARY CARS
THAT COMPETED IN THE FAMOUS LE MANS RACE IN FRANCE.
THANKS TO ITS UNIQUE RACING HISTORY,
THE AUCTION HOUSE CHRISTIE'S HAS CALLED OLD NUMBER 2
THE MOST IMPORTANT VINTAGE CAR IN EXISTENCE.
BUT THE OLDEST CAR HERE IS THE EXP2.
"EXP" STANDS FOR EXPERIMENTAL.
UNHAPPY WITH EXP1,
HIS FIRST ATTEMPT AT BUILDING A CAR,
W.O. BENTLEY SCRAPPED IT,
WENT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, AND BUILT THIS MODEL.
IT'S THE OLDEST SURVIVING BENTLEY.
A 3-LITER PRE-PRODUCTION MODEL,
IT WAS THE FIRST TO BE ENTERED INTO A RACE
AND ALSO THE FIRST TO WIN A RACE.
THE CONTINENTAL GT SPEED
BRINGS BENTLEY'S GREAT AUTOMOTIVE LEGACY UP-TO-DATE
AND INTO THE FUTURE.
THE CAR COMPANY HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN
FOR ITS USE OF DELUXE MATERIALS
TO SUPPORT HIGH-END DESIGN CONCEPTS.
THE GT SPEED CONTINUES THIS TRADITION
BOTH INSIDE AND OUT.
ALTHOUGH DESIGNERS MAKE USE OF DIGITAL DESIGN TOOLS
TO WORK OUT THEIR IDEAS,
IN THE END, THEY RELY ON TRADITIONAL MATERIAL -- CLAY.
A FULL-SCALE CLAY MODEL OF A CAR PROVIDES AN OBJECT
THAT DESIGNERS CAN VIEW IN THE REAL WORLD.
THIS DEMONSTRATION MODEL REVEALS THE LAYERS OF MATERIAL INVOLVED,
FROM PLYWOOD SUBSTRUCTURE
TO STYROFOAM TO CLAY TO PAINT.
SOME ELEMENTS OF THE GT SPEED ARE MADE IN IRELAND
AT AUTOLAUNCH,
A DIVISION OF CANADIAN-BASED MAGNA INTERNATIONAL.
FLAT SHEETS OF ALUMINUM, CALLED BLANKS,
WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO FENDERS AND TRUNK LIDS.
EACH SHEET GOES TO AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTROLLED AREA,
WHERE IT HANGS SUSPENDED FROM CLAMPS
THAT MOVE ALONG AN OVERHEAD RAIL SYSTEM.
A TEAM OF ROBOTS THEN SPRAYS ON A SPECIAL COATING
THAT PREPARES IT TO ENDURE THE HEAT OF THE FORMING PROCESS.
THE PROCESS IS CALLED SUPERPLASTIC FORMING.
THESE GIGANTIC OBJECTS ARE THE FORMING DIES
MADE, FOR THE MOST PART, FROM CAST IRON AND STEEL.
THESE DIES WERE DEVELOPED AND ENGINEERED AT MAGNA'S
CANADIAN CORPORATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY.
A ROBOTIC ARM USES VACUUM-POWERED SUCTION CUPS
TO GRASP THE ALUMINUM BLANKS
AND PLACE THEM INSIDE AN OVEN TWO AT A TIME.
THE OVEN HEATS THE SHEETS AT A TEMPERATURE
OF NEARLY 1,000 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT
BEFORE TRANSFERRING THEM TO ONE OF THE FORMING DIES.
BECAUSE IT'S STRONG, RUST-PROOF, AND LIGHTWEIGHT,
ALUMINUM IS THE PREFERRED METAL FOR BUILDING HIGH-END CARS.
BUT IT PRESENTS SOME CHALLENGES.
BENT TOO LITTLE,
ALUMINUM SIMPLY SNAPS BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL SHAPE.
BENT TOO FAR, IT MAY CRACK.
SHAPING THE METAL INTO THE CURVED AUTO PARTS
REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE INGENUITY.
THE MACHINE INJECTS PRESSURIZED AIR,
FORCING THE HEATED ALUMINUM DOWN ONTO THE DIE
TO PRODUCE THE FINISHED SHAPE.
OF COURSE, IT'S NOT NEARLY THAT SIMPLE.
CERTAIN ELEMENTS, LIKE THE RATE AT WHICH THE MACHINE
INJECTS AIR PRESSURE INTO THE TOOL
MUST BE CALCULATED WITH EXTREME PRECISION.
THE END RESULT IS A SUPERPLASTIC-FORMED FENDER
PERFECTLY REPLICATING THE SHAPE DESIGN.
BUT CLEARLY, SOME WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE BEFORE IT'S READY.
AT THIS STAGE, THE OBJECT IS CALLED A DRAW PANEL.
WORKERS FIT THE PANEL
ONTO WHAT'S CALLED A TRIMMING FIXTURE.
THEN THEY LEAVE THE AREA,
ALLOWING A SPECIALIZED ROBOTIC LASER TO GO TO WORK.
FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE LASER WORKS ALONE
AND NOBODY MAY ENTER THIS CLOSED AREA
WHILE IT'S OPERATING.
FOLLOWING PROGRAMMED INSTRUCTIONS,
THE 5-AXIS GANTRY ROBOT TRIMS OFF THE UNNEEDED ALUMINUM
AND CUTS OUT SOME OF THE REQUIRED OPENINGS
WITH INCREDIBLE SPEED AND ACCURACY.
ONCE THE LASER FINISHES TRIMMING THE PARTS,
WORKERS PLACE THEM ON ANOTHER TOOL
FOR A PROCESS CALLED RESTRIKE.
A TECHNICIAN POSITIONS
THE TOP AND BOTTOM LAYERS OF A TRUNK LID.
THE TOP OF THE FORMING DIE DESCENDS,
RE-FORMING CERTAIN EDGE SECTIONS
AND PUNCHING OUT SOME REMAINING HOLES.
THIS PROCESS IS TRADITIONAL,
RATHER THAN SUPERPLASTIC FORMING.
HERE'S A FENDER BEFORE AND AFTER RESTRIKE.
THE PROCESS ADDS SMALL BUT IMPORTANT DETAILS TO THE PART.
FINALLY, THE PARTS HEAD TO A HAND-FINISHING AREA,
WHERE HIGHLY TRAINED, SKILLED CRAFTSMEN
APPLY THE FINISHING TOUCHES.
AS THEY FINESSE THE PARTS,
THEY ALSO PERFORM THOROUGH QUALITY-CONTROL INSPECTIONS.
ONCE THE BODY OF THE GT SPEED HAS BEEN BUILT,
IT NEEDS A PAINT JOB.
SOPHISTICATED ROBOTS DO MOST OF THE WORK,
HITTING NOT JUST THE LARGE SURFACES,
BUT ALSO HARD-TO-REACH AREAS.
THE SPEED GETS FIVE COATS,
INCLUDING A CHEMICAL PRE-TREATMENT,
AN ELECTRIC COATING FOR CORROSION PROTECTION,
A PRIMER, A BASE COAT FOR COLOR,
AND A FINAL SCRATCH-RESISTANT CLEAR COAT.
IN BETWEEN COATS,
THE CAR BAKES IN AN ENORMOUS OVEN
TO CURE THE PAINT.
IN ALL, IT TAKES 110 HOURS TO FULLY PAINT A GT SPEED.
¶¶
Narrator: THE ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH DASHBOARD
IS THE CENTRAL FEATURE OF ITS LUXURIOUS COCKPIT.
ITS HIGH-TECH CENTER STACK IS UPHOLSTERED IN LEATHER
AND FEATURES A WIDE ARRAY OF CONTROLS,
ALL EMBEDDED IN A CARBON-FIBER FASCIA PANEL.
HERE, A CRAFTSMAN CAREFULLY UPHOLSTERS
ONE OF THE MANY ELEMENTS THAT GO INTO MAKING THE DASHBOARD.
HE STARTS BY ADHERING A BACKING MATERIAL TO THE SUBSTRATE.
WHILE THE VANQUISH MAY BE A WORK
OF CUTTING-EDGE AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTION,
FINE HANDCRAFTSMANSHIP STILL CHARACTERIZES
IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE BUILD PROCESS.
¶¶
ASTON MARTIN HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE
FOR CUSTOMERS TO TAILOR THEIR CARS TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL TASTES.
BUYERS CAN CUSTOMIZE EVERY DETAIL,
FROM PAINT COLOR TO LEATHER EMBROIDERY.
IN A NOD TO THE CAR MAKER'S LONG RELATIONSHIP
WITH THE BOND FRANCHISE,
THIS SERVICE IS CALLED Q BY ASTON MARTIN.
EVEN A PART THIS SMALL IS EMBLEMATIC OF THE WAY
IN WHICH OLD MEETS NEW IN THE ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH.
WHILE THE CRAFTSMAN MAY BE USING OLD-SCHOOL HANDIWORK
TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK,
HE'S FITTING THE COMPONENT FOR MODERN FEATURES,
LIKE THE CONTROL SWITCH FOR THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG.
ONCE THE LEATHER CRAFTSMAN HAS FULLY UPHOLSTERED ALL THE PARTS,
IT'S TIME TO ASSEMBLE THE DASHBOARD.
A TECHNICIAN STARTS
BY CLAMPING THE BONDED-ALUMINUM FRAME IN PLACE.
THEN HE INSTALLS THE WIRING FOR THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS.
HE AND ANOTHER WORKER
WILL INSTALL THE COMPONENTS ONE BY ONE,
INCLUDING THE SPEED-DEPENDENT
RACK-AND-PINION POWER-ASSISTED STEERING.
THE FINISHED DASHBOARD WILL HOUSE A WIDE ARRAY
OF FEATURES AND CONTROLS,
INCLUDING A CUSTOMIZED BANG & OLUFSEN SOUND SYSTEM.
THERE ARE 13 SPEAKERS CAREFULLY POSITIONED
THROUGHOUT THE VANQUISH.
IT TOOK SKILLED TONE-MEISTERS FROM BANG & OLUFSEN
MORE THAN 400 HOURS TO MAKE ALL THE NECESSARILY ADJUSTMENTS
TO PERFECT THE SOUND SYSTEM.
THE AUDIO EXPERIENCE REMAINS UNCHANGED
REGARDLESS OF DRIVING CONDITIONS,
THANKS TO THE USE OF CLOSED SPEAKER CABINETS.
THESE COMPONENTS ENHANCE THE SYSTEM'S ABILITY
TO MAKE HIGHLY NUANCED EQUALIZATION ADJUSTMENTS,
WITH THE HELP OF SOPHISTICATED ALGORITHMS
AND MULTIPLE VEHICLE SENSORS, INCLUDING AN IN-CAR MICROPHONE.
DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS CONTROL THEIR VANQUISH'S SOUNDSCAPE
FROM THE CENTER STACK.
IT'S THE CAR'S HIGH-TECH NERVE CENTER.
NOW A TECHNICIAN DOWNLOADS THE NECESSARY SOFTWARE
TO KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CENTER STACK.
NOT ONLY DOES THIS CONSOLE CONTROL THE SOUND --
IT ALLOWS PASSENGERS TO USE SATELLITE NAVIGATION TECHNOLOGY,
BLUETOOTH, AND PHONE STREAMING THROUGH THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM.
THERE'S AN OPTIONAL CAMERA AVAILABLE,
WHICH DISPLAYS A REAR VIEW AND GUIDE LINES
FOR BACKING INTO TIGHT SPOTS.
THE VANQUISH FEATURES LIGHTWEIGHT
YET POWERFUL THIRD-GENERATION
BREMBO CARBON-CERAMIC MATRIX DISK BRAKES.
TO CREATE THE CARBON-CERAMIC BRAKE DISKS,
BREMBO USES CARBON FIBERS
TREATED WITH A SPECIAL PROTECTIVE COATING.
THEY CHOP THEM DOWN TO A SPECIFIC LENGTH AND THICKNESS
AND MIX THEM WITH A BINDING RESIN.
THE NEXT STAGE IS CALLED A PREFORM PRESSING.
HERE, THE MANUFACTURERS APPLY PRESSURE TO THE MATERIAL
IN A SPECIALLY DESIGNED MOLD
TO CREATE THE COMPONENT'S GENERAL SHAPE.
THEY CALL THIS A GREEN BODY.
FOR THE VANQUISH, THE DISKS WILL MEASURE
16x1 INCHES AT THE FRONT AND 14x1 INCHES AT THE BACK.
QUIET AND EFFECTIVE, THESE DISKS STOP THE CAR MORE QUICKLY
AND LAST LONGER THAN CONVENTIONAL STEEL BRAKES.
BECAUSE OF THEIR LIGHT MATERIAL,
THEY ALSO REDUCE THE CAR'S UNSPRUNG WEIGHT.
TO CONVERT THE GREEN BODY INTO CERAMIC,
BREMBO STARTS BY CARBONIZING THE COMPONENT AT 1,650 DEGREES.
THEY COOL THE MOLD IN WATER
IN ORDER TO MOVE IT TO THE NEXT STAGE.
TO CREATE THE COOLING-CHANNEL GEOMETRY INSIDE THE DISK,
BREMBO USES A MANUFACTURING PROCESS
CALLED LOST-CORE TECHNOLOGY.
WITH LOST-CORE TECHNOLOGY, A PLASTIC MATRIX INSIDE THE MOLD
BURNS OUT DURING THE CARBONIZATION PROCESS,
LEAVING NO RESIDUE BEHIND.
NEXT, MANUFACTURERS POUR SILICON GRANULES INTO THE MOLD,
THEN HEAT IT UP TO 3,092 DEGREES IN A VACUUM ATMOSPHERE.
THE SILICON LIQUIFIES AND INFILTRATES THE MATERIAL,
COMPLETING THE CONVERSION TO CERAMIC.
FINALLY, BREMBO MACHINES THE PART
TO MEET PRECISE DESIGN PARAMETERS.
DUE TO THE EXTREME HARDNESS OF THE CARBON-CERAMIC MATERIAL,
THIS OPERATION REQUIRES HIGH-TECH DIAMOND TOOLING.
¶¶
Narrator: THESE DAYS, IT'S RARE TO SEE REAL WOOD IN A CAR.
THE LAVISH INTERIOR
OF THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED
I FRAMED BY A HANDCRAFTED, HIGHLY POLISHED WOOD VENEER.
BENTLEY OFFERS 10 DIFFERENT VENEERS.
THEY COME IN BUNDLES OF 24 LEAVES,
SHAVED FROM A SINGLE PIECE OF WOOD.
THE VENEERS IN A GIVEN BENTLEY
ALWAYS COME FROM THE SAME BUNDLE.
A WORKER CAREFULLY FLICKS THE LEAVES FROM A BUNDLE,
USING THE SWIRLING KNOT PATTERNS TO ALIGN THEM PERFECTLY.
ONCE THEY'RE ALIGNED,
HE'LL CHOP A TINY BIT OFF THE ENDS TO GET A CLEAN EDGE.
THIS STEP IS NECESSARY TO PREPARE THE VENEERS
FOR THE NEXT PHASE IN THE PROCESS.
THIS CRAFTSMAN OPENS A SET OF LEAVES
SO THAT THEY PRESENT A MIRROR IMAGE OF EACH OTHER.
HE THEN STICKS ON A PIECE OF TAPE
TO TEMPORARILY HOLD THEM IN PLACE
BEFORE BRINGING THEM TO THE STITCHING MACHINE.
THIS DEVICE USES A ZIGZAG STITCH OF ADHESIVE, NOT THREAD,
TO HOLD THE TWO LEAVES OF VENEER TOGETHER.
IT QUICKLY DEPOSITS A THIN BEAD OF HOT GLUE
IN A REPEATING PATTERN.
THE CRAFTSMAN PUTS THE VENEER THROUGH TWICE
TO ENSURE A SECURE JOINT.
THIS GLUE STITCH PREPARES THE TWO LEAVES
FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF PRODUCTION
AND IS NOT MEANT TO HOLD THEM TOGETHER PERMANENTLY.
¶¶
A TECHNICIAN PLACES A SET OF VENEERS
ON THE BED OF A LASER CUTTING DEVICE.
THE BED HAS A VACUUM FEATURE WHICH SUCKS THE LEAVES DOWN,
HOLDING THEM IN PLACE.
THE DEVICE, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY
A CNC MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH A LASER,
GOES TO WORK CUTTING OUT A SERIES OF SHAPES.
IT FOLLOWS INSTRUCTIONS
SUPPLIED BY COMPUTER-ASSISTED DESIGN SOFTWARE.
THIS WORK WAS ONCE DONE WITH STAMPING TOOLS,
BUT MANUFACTURERS SWITCHED TO A LASER
DUE TO THE REPEATABLE PRECISION OF ITS PERFORMANCE.
THE VENEER IS LESS THAN A MILLIMETER THICK.
THE LASER'S ABILITY TO CUT THE ULTRA-THIN WOOD
WITHOUT CRACKING IT IS ANOTHER ADVANTAGE.
THIS CRAFTSMAN ASSEMBLES A KIT.
THE KIT INCLUDES THE DECORATIVE VENEER
LAYERED WITH A THIN SHEET OF GLUE,
THEN A VENEER OF PINK TULIPWOOD AND ANOTHER LAYER OF GLUE,
FOLLOWED BY A SECOND VENEER OF TULIPWOOD.
HE THEN PLACES THE KIT ON AN ALUMINUM SUBSTRATE.
HE PLACES THE ASSEMBLED KIT ONTO A MACHINE CALLED A DIE PRESS.
ONCE ALL THE KITS ARE IN POSITION,
A SAFETY SCREEN DESCENDS,
FOLLOWED BY THE TOP HALF OF THE DIE PRESS.
THE PRESS EXERTS MORE THAN 120 POUNDS OF PRESSURE
WHILE COOKING THE KIT AT OVER 250 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT
FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THE WORKER GIVES THE RESULTING LAMINATE
A THOROUGH QUALITY-CONTROL INSPECTION
BEFORE IT CAN BE MOVED ON TO THE NEXT PHASE.
AFTER A SANDING,
THE PART BEGINS A 1½-HOUR, 5-LAYER LACQUERING PROCESS.
IT TAKES 72 HOURS FOR THE LACQUER JOB
TO CURE COMPLETELY.
USING AN ORBITAL SANDER,
A CRAFTSMAN WORKS TO COMPLETELY SMOOTH OUT THE SURFACE.
HE FINISHES THE JOB BY HAND,
WHICH ALLOWS HIM TO SAND THE BEVELED OPENINGS.
THOROUGHLY INSPECTING EVERY INCH OF THE WOOD,
HE ENSURES THAT IT'S READY FOR THE NEXT STEP.
HE THEN USES A SOFT-MOP POLISHING WHEEL
TO APPLY FINISHING WAX,
GIVING THE VENEER A BURNISHED SHEEN.
EVERY GT SPEED IS BUILT TO ORDER,
AND EACH VENEER PANEL HAS BEEN CUSTOMIZED TO MEET
THE SPECIFICATIONS DESIRED BY THE CAR'S FUTURE OWNER.
BENTLEY UPHOLSTERS THE COMPLETE INTERIOR
OF THE GT SPEED IN LEATHER.
INSPECTORS EXAMINE A BULL HIDE AND MARK IT ACCORDINGLY.
THEY SCAN THE HIDE.
GREEN MARKS ARE FOR FLAWS MINOR ENOUGH
THAT THE LEATHER CAN STILL BE USED
ON UNSEEN SECTIONS OF UPHOLSTERY.
ORANGE MARKS ARE FOR UNUSABLE PARTS.
A CNC CUTTING MACHINE SCORES OUT THE PIECES.
WORKERS REMOVE THE CUT LEATHER
AND SPRAY IT WITH A SOAPY SOLUTION
TO REMOVE THE CRAYON MARKS.
NEXT, THEY'LL TRANSFER THE PIECES
TO A PERSON CALLED A BUNDLER,
WHO SORTS THE LEATHER FOR DELIVERY TO THE NEXT PHASE.
HERE, SKILLED LEATHERWORKERS APPLY THEIR TRADE.
THERE ARE SEVEN DIFFERENT ZONES OF LEATHERWORK.
AS AN EXAMPLE OF BENTLEY'S ATTENTION TO DETAIL,
THE COMPANY CHOOSES TO UPHOLSTER THE GT SPEED STEERING WHEEL
WITH A SINGLE PIECE OF LEATHER.
THIS MEANS A CRAFTSMAN HAS TO CREATE A PERFECT FIT
BETWEEN THE MATERIAL AND THE WHEEL.
FIRST, HE BRUSHES ON A SPECIAL GLUE.
THEN, WORKING WITH GREAT CARE,
HE STRETCHES THE LEATHER INTO PLACE.
OF COURSE, THE GLUE IS NOT ENOUGH
TO HOLD THE LEATHER FIRMLY IN POSITION.
EACH STEERING WHEEL MUST BE FLAWLESSLY HAND STITCHED.
THE LEATHERWORKERS PUNCH A SET OF NEEDLE-SIZED HOLES
ALONG EITHER SIDE OF THE SEAM
USING A TOOL MADE AT THIS FACILITY.
THE CRAFTSWOMAN THEN CLOSES THE SEAM
USING A STURDY CROSS STITCH.
THE WHEEL ONLY REPRESENTS A TINY PORTION
OF THE LEATHERWORK DONE HERE.
IT TAKES 12 BULL HIDES TO UPHOLSTER A SINGLE GT SPEED.
THE STEERING WHEEL, LIKE THE REST OF THE GT SPEED,
IS BESPOKE, MEANING IT'S CUSTOM-MADE.
CUSTOMERS CAN CHOOSE FROM A WIDE RANGE
OF COLORS AND PATTERNS WHEN PLACING THEIR ORDER.
¶¶
Narrator: THE TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE OF ASTON MARTIN
HAVE BUILT THE PARTS FOR THIS VANQUISH.
NOW IT'S TIME TO PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
IT TAKES 220 HOURS
TO BUILD THIS HIGH-PERFORMANCE, LUXURY DRIVING MACHINE.
ASTON MARTIN'S FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT FACILITY
OPENED IN 2003 IN GAYDON, WARWICKSHIRE.
AT THIS STATION, TECHNICIANS BEGIN WIRING THE CAR.
IT HAS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS READING ALL THE CAR'S SYSTEMS.
THIS INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM THROTTLE AND BRAKE POSITION
TO STEERING-WHEEL ROTATION AND VEHICLE SPEED.
TO MINIMIZE ENGINE AND ROAD NOISE,
WORKERS INSTALL A LAYER OF INSULATING FOAM.
THIS, ALONG WITH THE FINAL UPHOLSTERY,
WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE INTERIOR SOUNDSCAPE.
NEXT, A TECHNICIAN LAYS OUT THE WIRING HARNESS.
IT HAS BEEN WARMED UNTIL FLEXIBLE FOR EASY INSTALLATION.
THESE WIRES CONTROL TRACTION, STABILITY,
AND MANY OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.
ASTON MARTIN FINE-TUNES THESE ELECTRONIC SAFEGUARDS
ON A FROZEN LAKE IN NORTHERN SWEDEN
BEFORE RE-TESTING THEM
ON SPECIALIST PROVING GROUNDS AROUND THE WORLD.
ON EACH SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD, THE BANG & OLUFSEN SOUND SYSTEM
INCLUDES TWO COMPONENTS CALLED ACOUSTIC LENSES.
THESE SIT FLUSH WITH THE SURFACE UNTIL ACTIVATED.
ONCE ACTIVATED, THEY ELEVATE,
ENSURING A 180-DEGREE DISPERSION OF SOUND.
A TECHNICIAN NOW PREPARES TO UNITE A HUB ASSEMBLY
WITH THE CAR'S SUSPENSION.
THIS FORMS PART OF ASTON MARTIN'S
ADAPTIVE DAMPING SYSTEM, OR A.D.S. FOR SHORT.
A VANQUISH DRIVER CAN SWITCH BETWEEN
THREE DIFFERENT DAMPING MODES -- NORMAL, SPORT, AND TRACK.
DEPENDING ON THE DRIVER'S CHOICE,
THE A.D.S. WILL AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST THE SUSPENSION SETTINGS,
TRANSFORMING FROM A SMOOTH GRAND TOUR
TO AN AGGRESSIVE SPORTS CAR AT THE PUSH OF A BUTTON.
THE CAR'S MASSIVE, ALL-ALLOY, 48-VALVE, 6-LITER V-12 ENGINE
IS READY FOR INSTALLATION.
BUT FIRST, THE POWER TRAIN NEEDS ITS REAR MID-MOUNTED
TOUCHTRONIC III EIGHT-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
A WORKER JOINS THE GEARBOX TO THE ALLOY TORQUE TUBE,
WHICH FEATURES A CARBON-FIBER PROPELLER SHAFT.
THE TOUCHTRONIC III INCLUDES A SPECIAL MODE
CALLED LAUNCH CONTROL FOR OPTIMAL STANDING STARTS.
IT'S NOW TIME TO INSTALL THE ENGINE,
WHICH BRINGS WITH IT 565 HORSEPOWER
AND 457 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE.
WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE FRONT MID-MOUNTED ENGINE,
THE REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE POWER TRAIN IS COMPLETE.
NEXT, TECHNICIANS LOWER THE BODY ONTO THE POWER TRAIN,
COMBINING THEM INTO A SINGLE UNIT.
THIS OPERATION TRANSFORMS THE MANY COMPONENTS
AND SUBASSEMBLIES INTO THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF A CAR.
BUT THERE'S STILL A LONG WAY TO GO
BEFORE THIS MACHINE BECOMES A VANQUISH.
THE STAINLESS-STEEL EXHAUST SYSTEM
IS FULLY CATALYZED AND FEATURES ACTIVE BYPASS VALVES.
THE MUFFLER IS ALSO 22 POUNDS LIGHTER THAN EARLIER ITERATIONS,
HELPING TO IMPROVE HANDLING
BY MINIMIZING MASS BEHIND THE REAR AXLE.
HERE A WORKER BUILDS THE LAYERS OF THE CENTER CONSOLE.
THIS STRUCTURE HOUSES
MORE THAN 120 CUBIC INCHES OF STORAGE SPACE.
IT ALSO CONTAINS CUP HOLDERS, A CELLPHONE DOCK,
AS WELL AS USB AND A/C PORTS.
THERE'S A SURPRISING AMOUNT OF INTERIOR SPACE
IN THIS VERSION OF THE VANQUISH.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE DASH PANEL, BRAKE, AND ACCELERATOR PANELS
HAVE ALL BEEN MOVED FORWARD.
ALSO, THE SEATS CAN SLIDE FURTHER BACK
THAN IN PREVIOUS MODELS.
SPEAKING OF SEATS, CUSTOMERS CAN CHOOSE
WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO HAVE REAR SEATS IN THEIR VANQUISH
FOR OCCASIONAL PASSENGERS.
A TECHNICIAN USES A HYDRAULIC ASSISTOR
TO MOVE THE DOOR INTO POSITION.
LIKE THE REST OF THE CAR BODY, THE DOORS HAVE
A CARBON-FIBER SKIN COVERING THE ALUMINUM STRUCTURE.
THE STEERING WHEEL AND OTHER INTERIOR ELEMENTS
HAVE BEEN FULLY INSTALLED.
THE SEATS ARE AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS FINISHES.
BUYERS CAN CUSTOMIZE THE COMPLEX STITCHING
AND QUILTING PATTERNS AS DESIRED.
NEXT, A SPECIALIST THOROUGHLY EXAMINES THE CAR
TO ENSURE IT MEETS THE STANDARDS SET BY ASTON MARTIN.
HE CHECKS THE FINISH, THE PAINT JOB,
THE ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE FENDER AND THE HEAD LAMP,
AS WELL AS A HOST OF OTHER DETAILS,
BEFORE DRIVING IT TO THE NEXT STATION.
¶¶
Narrator: THE CONTINENTAL GT SPEED
IS MORE THAN A SUMPTUOUS LEATHER INTERIOR
AND STATE-OF-THE-ART ALUMINUM BODY PARTS.
IT ALSO HAS A POWER TRAIN
THAT CAN WIND THE COUPE UP TO 205 MILES PER HOUR.
THE BENTLEY MOTORS FACILITY IN CREWE, ENGLAND,
STARTED DURING WORLD WAR II AS A SECRET SHADOW FACTORY
MADE TO BUILD AIRPLANE ENGINES FOR THE WAR EFFORT.
HERE, THE ROLLS-ROYCE COMPANY MANUFACTURED
ITS LEGENDARY MERLIN ENGINE, WHICH POWERED
THE FAMOUS SUPERMARINE SPITFIRES AND HAWKER HURRICANES
THAT WON THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN.
ALSO ON DISPLAY IS A MODEL OF BENTLEY'S W12 ENGINE
WHICH RUNS THE GT SPEED.
WITH 12 CYLINDERS FIRING,
THE TWIN TURBOCHARGED ENGINE CAN ACCELERATE THE CAR
FROM 0 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR IN JUST 4.4 SECONDS
AND FROM 0 TO 100 IN UNDER 10 SECONDS.
A TECHNICIAN COATS A CRANKSHAFT WITH ENGINE OIL
WHILE ANOTHER SUPPLIES HIMSELF WITH A PISTON.
NEXT, THEY ALIGN THE CRANKSHAFT BEFORE INSTALLING THE PISTON.
GUIDE RODS ON THE END OF THE PISTONS
PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE CASING AS THEY PULL THEM THROUGH.
THE CASING IS ONLY 5 MICRONS LARGER THAN THE PISTON ITSELF.
ONCE INSTALLED, THEY BOLT THE PISTON ONTO THE SHAFT.
ONCE AGAIN, THEY ALIGN THE CRANKSHAFT
TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF INSTALLATION.
THEY'VE PLACED A CLEAR COVER OVER THE INSTALLED PISTONS
TO ENSURE NO DUST OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS GET IN.
SINCE IT'S A W12 ENGINE,
THERE ARE 12 PISTONS IN TOTAL THAT HAVE TO GO IN.
THE "W" IN THE W12 NAME
REFERS TO THE STAGGERED "W" ARRANGEMENT
OF THE CYLINDERS.
UNLIKE STRAIGHT, FLAT, OR "V" CONFIGURATIONS,
THIS ARRANGEMENT ALLOWS FOR A VERY COMPACT ENGINE
DESPITE THE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS.
THE RESULT IS A 48-VALVE POWERHOUSE
WITH 616 HORSEPOWER
AND A PEAK TORQUE OF 590 POUND-FEET
ABOVE 2,000 RPMs.
TOP SPEED -- 205 MILES PER HOUR.
ONCE THEY'VE BUILT THEM, TECHNICIANS TRANSFER EACH ENGINE
TO AN AREA CALLED THE HOT TEST FACILITY.
HERE, THEY FIRE IT UP
AND RUN IT FOR A TOTAL OF 21 MINUTES
TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO LEAKS
AND THAT THE ENGINE IS WORKING AS IT SHOULD.
PIPES BLOW AIR AT THE ENGINE TO COOL IT
AS MONITORING EQUIPMENT MAKES SURE
ALL PARAMETERS ARE MET.
THE TURBOCHARGER GETS SO HOT
THAT WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT, IT GLOWS IN THE DARK.
EVEN THE EXHAUST PIPE BURNS RED-HOT.
TECHNICIANS NOW BRING THE ENGINE
TO AN AREA CALLED THE MAIN BUILD HALL.
THEY LOWER IT ONTO A TOOL CALLED A STUFF-UP TABLE.
IT ALREADY HAS ITS GEARBOX, STEERING ARMS,
FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS, FRONT EXHAUST SECTION,
AND TRANSMISSION.
NEXT, THE WORKERS ATTACH
THE REAR END OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM,
WHICH FLARES OUT INTO DUAL TAILPIPES
IN TRUE SPORTS CAR FASHION.
A TECHNICIAN USES A COUNTERBALANCED WRENCH
TO FASTEN THE BOLTS.
THE TORQUE REQUIRED FOR EACH BOLT
HAS BEEN PRE-CALCULATED.
NOW, THE WORKERS BRING IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS.
THEY THEN INSTALL THE PROP SHAFT.
THE ENTIRE POWER TRAIN OF THE GT SPEED
IS COMING TOGETHER.
THANKS TO CAREFUL ENGINEERING OF THE CLOSE-RATIO TRANSMISSION
AND AN ENERGY RECUPERATION SYSTEM
BUILT INTO THE ENGINE,
THE CAR'S FUEL ECONOMY AND CO2 EMISSIONS
HAVE IMPROVED 15% OVER THE FIRST-GENERATION SPEED.
WITH THE POWER TRAIN FULLY ASSEMBLED,
IT'S NOW TIME TO BRING THE REST OF THE CAR UP TO GT SPEED.
Narrator: THIS ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH MIGHT LOOK COMPLETE,
BUT BEFORE IT CAN BE CALLED AN ASTON MARTIN,
IT MUST PASS A RIGOROUS SERIES OF TESTS
TO ENSURE IT MEETS ALL OF THE DESIGN PARAMETERS.
A TECHNICIAN DRIVES THE VANQUISH ONTO A ROLLING ROAD,
WHERE HE TESTS THE CAR TO ITS FULL CAPACITY.
ASTON MARTIN HAS ALREADY INVESTIGATED
THE PROTOTYPE OF THE VANQUISH FROM EVERY ANGLE.
THIS INCLUDES DURABILITY AND HIGH-SPEED TRIALS,
AS WELL AS HIGH-ALTITUDE, COLD-, AND HOT-WEATHER TESTS.
HOWEVER, EACH FINISHED VEHICLE
MUST MEET THE SAME STANDARDS SET BY THE PROTOTYPE.
THIS STATION SIMULATES A DOWNPOUR
AS THE DRIVER INSPECTS EVERY INCH OF THE INTERIOR FOR LEAKS.
CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF,
THE U.K. IS NOT ONE OF THE RAINIEST PLACES IN THE WORLD.
EVEN SO, THIS BRITISH CAR MANUFACTURER
KNOWS HOW TO KEEP THE WATER OUT.
INSPECTORS RARELY FIND ANY LEAKS.
THE ASTON MARTIN WINGS ARE PRECIOUS TO THE COMPANY.
A CAR ONLY GETS TO WEAR THE FAMOUS BADGE
ONCE ITS QUALITY IS ASSURED.
AT EVERY STAGE OF THE BUILD PROCESS,
THE VANQUISH UNDERGOES A CLOSE INSPECTION.
THIS SPECIALIST EXAMINES EVERY ELEMENT OF THE VEHICLE,
INCH BY INCH, TO ENSURE THAT IT MEETS
THE COMPANY'S STRINGENT QUALITY PARAMETERS.
THE SPECIALIST'S NAME WILL BE PRINTED
ON THE FINAL INSPECTION PLATE INSTALLED UNDER THE HOOD
SO OWNERS WILL KNOW WHO SIGNED OFF ON THEIR CAR.
A FLOOD OF FULL-SPECTRUM LIGHT
REVEALS ANY FLAWS IN THE CAR'S BODY PANELS.
THE BODY PANELS HAVE A 200-MICRON-THICK TOPCOATING
OF EPOXY AND GLASS TO ACHIEVE THE SMOOTHEST POSSIBLE FINISH.
THE INTERIOR HAS RECEIVED THE SAME ATTENTION TO DETAIL,
WITH A MILLION SEPARATE STITCHES SEWN IN SEVEN LEATHER HIDES.
IT'S TAKEN 70 HOURS OF HIGHLY SPECIALIZED HANDCRAFTING
TO FASHION THE QUILTED UPHOLSTERY
OF THE VANQUISH'S PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
COORDINATE MEASURING MACHINES, OR CMMs,
ALSO SCRUTINIZE THE CAR,
COMPARING THEIR FINDINGS TO THE DIGITAL DESIGNS
TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING IS FLAWLESS.
BUT IT'S A PERSON, NOT A MACHINE,
THAT WILL BE DRIVING THE CAR.
THAT'S WHY AN INSPECTOR
CHECKS EVERY ASPECT OF THE FIT AND FINISH,
EVEN VERIFYING THE DIFFERENCES IN SURFACE HEIGHT
DOWN TO THE MILLIMETER.
ONCE SATISFIED, HE DRIVES THE VANQUISH OFF THE FACTORY FLOOR.
IN ITS DAY, JAMES BOND'S SOUPED-UP DB5
WAS LIGHTNING-FAST,
WITH AN 8-SECOND SPRINT FROM ZERO TO 60 MILES PER HOUR.
HALF A CENTURY LATER, NOT ONLY DOES THE VANQUISH
BOLT TO THAT SPEED IN LESS THAN HALF THE TIME,
IT MANAGES TO USE HALF AS MUCH FUEL.
THE HIGH-TECH GEARBOX CAN SHIFT BETWEEN RATIOS
IN AS LITTLE AS 130 MILLISECONDS.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
THE CAR WEIGHS IN AT JUST 3,834 POUNDS.
THIS MEANS THAT THE 565-HORSEPOWER ENGINE
HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH JUICE TO POWER A GETAWAY.
THE DB5 MAY HAVE BONDED BOND TO ASTON MARTIN,
BUT YOU DON'T NEED Q TO TELL YOU THAT THE VANQUISH
IS THE MUST-HAVE RIDE FOR THE 21st-CENTURY SUPER SPY.
THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED'S
TURBOCHARGED POWER TRAIN HAS BEEN BUILT.
ITS BODY HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED, ASSEMBLED, AND PAINTED,
AND ITS PLUSH LEATHER INTERIOR FULLY UPHOLSTERED.
IT'S NOW TIME TO BRING EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
TECHNICIANS NOW INSTALL THE CAR'S EXTENSIVE WIRING.
WIRES CAN BE STIFF AND HARD TO HANDLE.
TO MAKE THESE BIG BUNDLES PLIABLE,
MANUFACTURERS FIRST HEAT THEM.
ONCE THE TECHNICIANS FINISH INSTALLING THEM,
THE CABLES WILL COOL AND HARDEN IN PLACE.
EACH CAR HAS NEARLY 8 MILES OF WIRING RUNNING THROUGH IT.
USING A SPECIALLY DESIGNED LIFT,
WORKERS INSTALL THE LEATHER-UPHOLSTERED DASHBOARD.
LIKE THE REST OF THE CAR, THE DASH IS BUILT TO ORDER.
HERE WE CAN SEE THE TWO-TONED COLOR SCHEME
CHOSEN BY ITS FUTURE OWNER.
TECHNICIANS NOW BRING
THE POWER TRAIN AND THE BODY TOGETHER.
MANUFACTURERS HAVE A ROMANTIC NAME FOR THIS DRAMATIC MOMENT
WHEN THE TWO MAIN ELEMENTS ARE FUSED.
THEY CALL IT THE MARRIAGE.
IT'S AT THIS POINT THE CAR REALLY BECOMES A CAR.
THE TECHNICIANS WILL USE 32 CAREFULLY PLACED
AND PERFECTLY TORQUED BOLTS TO SECURE EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
ALTHOUGH THEY PERFORM THIS OPERATION MANUALLY,
A COMPUTER MONITORS THEIR WORK,
ENSURING THEY DON'T MISS ANYTHING.
NEXT, WORKERS BEGIN FILLING THE CAR
WITH GAS, ENGINE OIL, BRAKE FLUID,
TRANSMISSION FLUID, ANTIFREEZE,
AND ALL THE INGREDIENTS IT NEEDS TO RUN.
THANKS IN PART TO THE GT SPEED'S ENERGY RECUPERATION SYSTEM,
IT CAN GO 60 MILES ON 3.8 GALLONS OF GAS.
RECUPERATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGES THE CAR'S USE OF ELECTRICITY
TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY,
REDUCING EMISSIONS
WHILE INCREASING THE CAR'S RANGE.
THE FRONT WINGS NOW GO ON, FOLLOWED BY THE GRILLE.
THAT DISTINCTIVE GRILLE,
THE ROUND HEADLIGHTS, AND CURVED WINGS
ARE ALL PART OF THE SIGNATURE BENTLEY LOOK
THAT DATES BACK NEARLY A CENTURY.
THEY ARE SUBTLE DESIGN TRIBUTES TO THE SPEED'S ANCESTRY.
THESE 20-INCH, 10-SPOKE ALLOY WHEELS
ARE MADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE GT SPEED.
THE CAR FEATURES PERMANENT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.
THE DIFFERENTIAL DISTRIBUTES 60% OF THE TORQUE
TO THE REAL WHEELS AND 40% TO THE FRONT,
HELPING KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION WHEN CORNERING.
THE WHEELS CAN COME TO A FAST STOP,
THANKS TO THE 16-INCH-DIAMETER FRONT
AND 13-INCH, REAR-VENTILATED CAST-IRON BRAKE DISCS.
WORKING ON THE CONVERTIBLE MODEL OF THE GT SPEED,
TECHNICIANS BRING THE WINDSHIELD TO ITS FRAME
AND MANUALLY INSTALL IT,
TAMPING IT IN PLACE SECURELY.
NEXT, THEY USE A HYDRAULIC LIFT
TO HELP ATTACH THIS COMPONENT, CALLED A TONNEAU.
THE TONNEAU IS A SPECIALLY DESIGNED PANEL
WHICH COVERS THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF
WHEN IT'S RETRACTED.
A TECHNICIAN INSTALLS THE HAND-STITCHED,
LEATHER-UPHOLSTERED STEERING WHEEL.
A SECOND WORKER THEN MOUNTS THE CENTRAL PANEL,
WHICH BEARS THE FAMOUS BENTLEY WINGED "B" LOGO.
THEY CLOSE THE HOOD,
CHECKING TO MAKE SURE THE FIT IS PERFECT.
THE GT SPEED IS FULLY ASSEMBLED.
THIS HIGH-TECH FACILITY APPEARS ULTRAMODERN
AND SHOWS LITTLE SIGN OF ITS DRAMATIC HISTORY.
BUT A MEMORIAL REMINDS US
THAT WORKERS BUILDING AIR FORCE ENGINES
DIED HERE DURING A WORLD WAR II BOMBING RAID.
TODAY'S CRAFTSMEN CONTINUE
THE PROUD MANUFACTURING TRADITION
BEGUN HERE MORE THAN 70 YEARS AGO.
EACH FINISHED GT SPEED
IS CAREFULLY DRIVEN OFF THE LINE,
READY FOR DELIVERY TO ITS NEW OWNER.
BENTLEY MOTORS HAS A SPECIALLY APPOINTED AREA
IT CALLS THE LIVING ROOM.
HERE, CUSTOMERS MAY COME, RELAX ON THE PLUSH FURNISHINGS,
AND BROWSE THE LITERATURE.
UNDER THE BENEVOLENT GAZE OF W.O. BENTLEY,
THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT THE COMPANY
AND CHOOSE THE SPECIFICATIONS THEY REQUIRE.
BENTLEY CONSIDERS THE CONTINENTAL GT SPEED
TO BE ITS NEW FLAGSHIP MODEL.
INSPIRED BY THE RENOWNED PERFORMANCE
OF THE OLD SPEED SIXES AT THE 24-HOUR LE MANS RACE
IN THE 1930s,
THIS CAR IS MADE FOR HIGH VELOCITY.
IN FACT, TOPPING OUT AT 202 MILES PER HOUR,
THE DROP-TOP VERSION
IS CURRENTLY THE FASTEST 4-SEAT CONVERTIBLE IN THE WORLD
AND THE COUPE MODEL IS EVEN FASTER.
[ ENGINE REVS ]
EVERY SQUARE INCH OF THE CAR IS OPULENT,
FROM THE BESPOKE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY
TO THE WOOD VENEERS
AND THE AEROSPACE-GRADE ALUMINUM FENDERS.
IN THE EARLY DAYS OF BENTLEY,
THE CARS DEVELOPED A FAN FOLLOWING
AMONGST A GROUP OF WEALTHY BRITISH MOTORISTS
WHO BECAME KNOWN AS THE BENTLEY BOYS.
PERHAPS THE REBIRTH OF THE LEGENDARY SPEED
WILL INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION OF FANS.