Bentley is to build a made-to-measure car (From Warrington Guardian)

Bentley is to build a made-to-measure car

CREWE'S luxury motor firm has made a return to the top end of the market, unveiling the world's only 'truly hand-crafted' car.

Bentley Motors is to build 20 individually numbered, bespoke Arnage Limousines, in response to demand following the concept's visit to the Geneva International Salon earlier this year.

The move follows the company's successful departure into new markets with the Continental GT.

The limited edition vehicles will be built by the Pym's Lane firm's Mulliner coachbuilding division, going into production in February and starting at a price of £270,000.

In the same spirit as the coachbuilt Bentleys of the 20s and 30s, customers will be able to commission a car to their own detailed specifications.

Like the Speed Six and 8-litre Bentleys that wowed the motoring world in the Roaring Twenties, the Arnage Limousine aims to represent the pinnacle of hand-built, individually crafted luxury cars.

Head of projects Ashley Wickham said: "The Arnage Limousine is the epitome of Mulliner craftsmanship. Everything you can see - from the beautiful line of the new D-pillar to the stainless steel sills - was shaped by hand."

While the car itself can take up to 6,000 man-hours to build, each customer will have access to a personal Mulliner designer who will visit their home or office during the pre-production phase to assess the prospective design and assist in interpreting their requirements

At the start of the process they will be offered a 'blank canvas' on which to express a vision of their ideal bespoke car, and will be able to choose between palatial interiors or fully-integrated mobile offices.

With the concept still in the virtual world of computer-aided design, styling sketches and renderings, the scope for personalisation is huge.

The possible specifications include armour protection, electric foot rests, DVD entertainment systems, wide-screen plasma TVs, on-board computers and cigar humidors.

Following delivery customers will be visited annually by a factory representative to fully inspect the car.

Brand director Derek Davies said: "Many of our customers are amazed by what we can do to meet their needs.