CES 2016 - Bentley Motor's and Monster collaborate to produce a bespoke sound system on wheels.

BENTLEY AND MONSTER DEBUT “MONSTER BY MULLINER” CONTINENTAL GT V8 S FEATURING PURE MONSTER SOUND AT CES 2016 IN LAS VEGAS

• Handcrafted by Bentley’s Mulliner Division and inspired by Monster
• Spectacular limited production vehicle designed to appeal to young professional athletes and musicians

Monster, high-performance audio manufacturer, has teamed up with Bentley Motors’ bespoke coach-building division, Mulliner, to create a stunning and uniquely Monster-inspired “Monster by Mulliner,” which made its debut at CES 2016. 

The show-stopping Bentley Continental GT V8 S, which reflects Monster’s attitude of “Always Lead, Never Follow,” is designed to appeal to the target market of young professionals and movers and shakers in sports and music. 

The “Monster by Mulliner” Continental GT V8 S is a bespoke vehicle that will inspire those who want a ride with a bold look and incredible audio performance designed by Monster.

Monster’s latest innovations in audio technology bring the power of today’s music into this Bentley’s luxurious cabin.  All genres of music, including Hip Hop, rap, EDM and Rock, will be heard with new ears via this custom sound system not available in any production car in the world. 

A total of 16 hand selected Monster speakers, personally tuned by Head Monster Noel Lee, deliver 3,400-watt of awe-inspiring Pure Monster Sound—the company’s signature audio profile.

Embodying the distinctive Monster colour scheme of red and black within the cabin, Mulliner’s capabilities and skills are showcased by the Hotspur Continental GT V8 S Beluga hide and steering rim colour selections.  

Based on the Monster logo, Mulliner created a unique 3D laser-etched fascia panel designed exclusively for this vehicle, perfectly complementing the Piano Black finish. The Continental GT V8 S also features the Monster motto: “Always Lead, Never Follow™” and “Monster by Mulliner” headrest embroidery.

While the interior boasts high quality sound and extraordinary details, the exterior exudes a stunning colour scheme and intricate flourishes. Its Onyx exterior coloured paint is highlighted with Hotspur accents including a unique body kit and radiator shell bezel.

Along with red brake calipers and a gloss black polished wheel, the black bonnet vents are also stylized. This vehicle also includes the GT Design Seat by Mulliner. There’s even a special compartment that houses Monster’s Newest 24K gold wireless headphone—keeping it ready for mobile use anytime one is away from the car.

Head Monster Noel Lee noted: “Monster is proud to collaborate with Bentley on bringing the sound and look of a Monster ride to those who want something bold and different.  With our Pure Monster Sound system, the drive will be truly incredible and brings a new level of excitement to the driving experience. 

That’s why this collaboration for theContinental GT V8 S is such a perfect fit. Our Monster motto ‘Always Lead Never Follow’ has never been more appropriately applied than in association with this impeccably designed automobile.”

Geoff Dowding, Director of Mulliner, said: “The inspiration for this Mulliner commission came from a meeting with Monster’s CEO Noel Lee at Pebble Beach in 2015, where we exchanged business cards. The card contained several brand details, such as the Monster-pattern design and the red, black and silver colour scheme. It was the ideal starting point from which to create this incredible vehicle.”

Mulliner – Rare by Design

Mulliner exists to respond to the requirements of Bentley’s most discerning customers. The specialist division’s Limited Editions reflect carefully chosen and inspirational themes. Individually these might have special significance for customers in specific markets, but what they all share is the highest standards of Mulliner craftsmanship – taking the concept of Bentley luxury and pushing it even further.

Mulliner Limited Editions are rare by design and, as a result, they all have the potential to become instant classics, desired by many but driven only by a fortunate few.

Rolls Royce continues to be a big part of the world of Rock 'n' Roll, from its birth to today's rappers.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has contributed to the myth and legend of the contemporary music scene since the birth of Rock & Roll. Over half a century later, this long-standing love affair lives on, with some of the world’s most celebrated artists choosing the marque as the ultimate affirmation of their success. 

In this spirit, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is delighted to present Wraith ‘Inspired by Music’.

Since the launch of Wraith in 2013, customers have been able to commission their Rolls-Royce Wraith with Bespoke Audio; the most exhaustively designed sound system in automotive history.  

Like every element of a Rolls-Royce motor car, its construction blends the finest components with the skill of the most eminent experts in their field. 

Now, with Wraith ‘Inspired by Music’, these characteristics, and the precious materials used in the Bespoke Audio system, are brought very much to the fore, creating ‘the most exclusive music venue’ that delivers an unrivalled aural experience.

“Wraith ‘Inspired by Music’ appeals to those looking to Rolls-Royce for unique and creative motor cars. 

Its effortlessly cool appearance complements the superior Bespoke Audio system; the contemporary use of copper creates an atmospheric setting for the most encompassing music system on the market,” commented Torsten Müller Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

A Lyrical Copper exterior paint finish, presented with a blend of brushed and polished textures elegantly hints at the use of copper in only the very best audio systems. 

On opening the car’s coach-doors attention is drawn to re-imagined speaker grilles, here presented in copper theme, and engraved with the words ‘Bespoke Audio’. 

The door panniers and floor mats have been crafted from finely-woven leather to add an additional depth of tactility to the car’s interior cabin. 

Copper-coloured door inserts, which start at the front of the cabin before tapering at the rear, have been included in the design to emphasise Wraith’s characteristic internal curves.

A book matched copper finish features for the first time on Wraith’s fascia, boldly extending the car’s theme. The same copper tone extends to Wraith’s signature seat bullets.

The fastidious detail that went into the development of the car’s sound-system is employed in every facet of the construction of the car. 

For example, the chaplets on the clock have been designed and meticulously crafted with a combination of warming copper and silver, whilst the radial lines of the outer bezel playfully emulate the look and feel of vinyl records.

The Bespoke Audio system was created from scratch by a team of the world’s very best automotive audio engineers. The two-year development process saw the team work closely with Rolls-Royce interior designers to ensure the system was perfectly tuned to the interior of the cabin. 

Indeed, this pursuit of aural perfection was deemed so important the interior designers had to consult with the Chief Audio Engineer before making any changes.

The extraordinary clarity of sound and dynamic range is delivered via a 1300W, 18 channel system comprising two highly powerful bass speakers, seven tweeters and seven mid range speakers. 

Two ‘exciter’ speakers hand-fitted in the car’s headlining play a vital role in bringing the sound to the listener at ear-level; ensuring the output perfectly imitates the way music is experienced in a live setting. 

Microphones constantly monitor ambient and exterior noises and will adjust volume and tone settings automatically to ensure no external agent detracts from the user’s listening pleasure.

Wraith ‘Inspired by Music’ completes a trilogy of striking and distinctive Bespoke Collections. 

The first, Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ celebrates Rolls-Royce’s long association with the silver screen whilst, Wraith ‘Inspired by Fashion’ allows customers to commission a true piece of automotive haute couture inspired by the materials and motifs of cutting-edge high fashion.

Rolls-Royce: the ‘Rock & Roll’ years:

In January 1961, Elvis Presley walked into the Beverley Hills Rolls-Royce dealership. Flush with the success of his music career and a five-year movie deal, he ordered a Rolls-Royce Phantom V; the only motor car in the world that could possibly befit his status as the ‘King of Rock & Roll’. From that day on, a Rolls-Royce motor car became the conveyance of choice for the music scene’s burgeoning elite.

Many of these cars have taken their place in automotive and music folklore. John Lennon, for example, acquired a Phantom V in 1965. During his ownership he commissioned a number of cutting-edge additions for the time including; a television, portable refrigerator, record player and the first blacked-out windows to appear on a car in England. 

He was so enamoured with the interior comfort of the finest riding car in the world, he is reported to have converted the rear bench-seat into a double bed.

However, it is his car’s exterior that ensures its place in the pantheon of famous Rolls-Royces. Not satisfied with the Phantom’s stately Valentines Black finish, he commissioned a Dutch art collective to re-paint the car in a psychedelic motif designed to mirror the decorations on fairground caravans. 

The result was not met with universal acclaim, with Lennon often recounting the tale of a woman who chased the car, shouting, “You swine! You swine! How dare you do that to a Rolls-Royce!”

One particular story resulting from the music world’s love affair with Rolls-Royce has segued from folklore to infamy. It concerns The Who drummer, Keith Moon and the night of his 21^st birthday at the Holiday Inn in Flint Michigan. 

Legend goes that a somewhat high spirited Mr Moon drove his Rolls-Royce into the hotel’s swimming pool. This is categorically untrue and is probably an overblown conflation of two stories.

The first, involves a regrettable yet entirely understandable lapse of concentration, with Mr Moon failing to fully secure his Rolls-Royce’s handbrake. Unfortunately he had parked on a slope leading to a half-constructed swimming pool. The car made a characteristically graceful descent down the hill before coming to rest at the bottom of the unfilled pool.

The second is a little closer to the legend. On purchasing a new American car he tried to charge it to the band’s account, naturally they refused to indulge his request. 

Mr Moon expressed his displeasure by parking the car in an ornamental pond before telephoning the dealer to take it away. Not something he would ever have done to his beloved Rolls-Royce.

Worlds most exclusive Ferrari, that will be the Pick up truck.

TMW THOUGHTS -

If you have not seen this programme, you really must, it is a great show, and it makes a pleasant change for there to be a British TV show that builds these sorts of cars, when we usually get US branded programmes only, the banter between Elo and Will, is hilarious, they are like an old married couple, that bicker and bounce of each other, go on, watch it, you know you want to, just to see how the Brits do it.... (and sometimes better), The Bristol was a great show, This, the Ferrari, not as good, as they bastardised a Ferrari, and thats just not on... LOL...

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• World’s first Ferrari 412 pick-up conversion
• Dubbed world’s most exclusive pick-up truck and presented to builders on one of the world’s most exclusive streets – The Bishops Avenue
• Star car of new History Channel series ‘Ultimate Wheels’

History Channel’s newest television show, Ultimate Wheels, is set in the London Motor Museum and sister operation, London Supercar Workshop, and follows owner and founder, Elo, on his quest to transform great cars into ‘Ultimate Wheels’.

A highlight of the UK’s most colourful new car show is a creation dreamt up by Elo in light of the booming London housing market and its appetite for increasingly decadent home conversions – the ultimate builder’s workhorse – a Ferrari pick-up truck. 

To realise Elo’s vision, he and his mechanic buddy Will Trickett set about converting a 1989 Ferrari 412 into a perfect workhorse for the high-end tradesman. 

They start by taking an angle-grinder to the Italian collectable, removing 300mm of the roof and shifting everything forward to create a 3ft load bed at the back.  Taking inspiration from luxury yachts, teak wood is used to panel the rear bed after jacking up the rear suspension for extra load-carrying capability.

A real Jekyll and Hyde conversion, the Ferrari is adorned with a shotgun scoop bonnet and bespoke exhaust system resulting in a dual-personality of high performance hot-rod and practical workhorse. The shotgun scoop moves up and down and the unique exhaust has a valve system whereby the driver can decide at the flick of a switch whether to have the exhaust growl fiercely or produce a more refined sound for London’s leafier avenues.

The pick-up is finished with a bespoke sound system (ideal for playing Italian opera) and a beautiful Ferrari rosso red paint job.

Elo commented: “This is one of my favourite cars of the TV series – something truly unique and even experienced Ferrari technicians like what we’ve done. The rest of the series sees us work on a VW camper, a Ford Mustang, a Group B rally-inspired Audi, a unique Bristol and many more amazing conversions.”

Elo and his London Motor Museum collection are at the heart of the TV series ‘Ultimate Wheels’, now showing Thursdays at 9pm on History Channel.