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Bentley targets audiophiles with custom Continental at CES

Bentley brought a unique version of its Continental GT V8 S to CES this year, packing a unique sound system crafted by the audio trendsetters at Monster. And with it, Bentley's Mulliner customization department outfitted the luxury status symbol in singular style. The Monster by Mulliner features 16 speakers and 3,400 watts of aural stimulation for an in-car audio system not offered for production. In addition to the surround sound system, Mulliner decked the Conti out in Onyx black with red accents and gloss black wheels hiding red brake calipers. The interior features a custom 3D laser-etched dashboard panel and piano black trim as well as specific embroidery and tread plates. It even has a pair of 24-karat gold wireless headphones housed in a special compartment inside. The result is a decidedly different take on the ubiquitous luxury car than the stone veneer panels that Mulliner most recently announced. Bentley suggests in the statement below that the Monster by Mulliner will be offered as a limited edition, "designed to appeal to young professional athletes and musicians." It's certainly not for the timid, but we wouldn't be surprised to see them popping up in music videos and the parking lots outside stadiums in the near future. Related Video: 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 (Crewe / Las Vegas, NV, January 6 2016) Monster, the world leader in high-performance audio, has teamed up with Bentley Motors' bespoke coach-building division, Mulliner, to create a stunning and uniquely Monster-inspired "Monster by Mulliner," which makes 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.

2017 Bentley Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase is for the driven

For the first time since the nameplate was reintroduced as a 2011 model, Bentley will offer the Mulsanne in two lengths. The Extended Wheelbase adds an additional 10 inches to the rear passenger compartment over the standard and Speed models, allowing Bentley to fit a pair of reclining rear seats and a large sunroof into its flagship model. Naturally, this is the Bentley model aimed at buyers who would rather not drive themselves, preferring to be chauffeured. That doesn't describe the average Autoblogger, but for those who do fall into that camp, here's what you should know. View 8 Photos It's coming to America. Although the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase will be aimed mostly at the Asian market, it will come to the United States. Most Americans would rather drive than be driven, which means the long-wheelbase model will be imported from England in very small numbers and quite likely as a limited edition. For such a simple idea, the execution is complicated. Every Bentley Mulsanne is hand-assembled by a skilled team of craftsmen. That doesn't change for the Extended Wheelbase, but it does add some new complexity to the build process. All three Mulsanne models roll down the same line in Crewe, meaning workers have to be trained in the differences of each model. This is true at most plants, but the assembly of a Mulsanne is a rather different process than a Mustang. In addition to the extra length, all Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase models get optional folding tables for both rear passengers. These are beautiful works of art, and the engineering behind them is almost unbelievable. Each tray table is made from 600 individual parts. Yes, you read that correctly. We're not sure how Bentley managed to over-engineer these baubles so thoroughly, but we suggest that you treat the metal and leather creations with respect. But it's also very comfortable. Those tray tables can tilt at about a 30-degree angle, which is perfect for displaying content on an electronic device. The center console that holds them when not in use is unique to the Extended Wheelbase, and it's covered in the same veneer and leather that the buyer selects for the rest of the car. USB ports, pen holders, and cup holders designed specifically to hold two of the three crystal flutes in the fridge between the seats, and a glass-covered bin make the console as useful as possible.

Bentley planning to rejuvenate and modernize its design language

The sold-out Bacalar moves Bentley's design language in a sharper, bolder direction. It's limited to 12 units, so the odds of seeing one in the wild are low, but its head-turning lines will influence the company's future models. "It was appreciated very well by its target audience, but also by our traditional customers. I was surprised and happy to get positive remarks. I feel encouraged to really push the subject of rejuvenating and modernizing Bentley's design language," Stefan Sielaff, Bentley's lead designer, told Autoblog. He added his team will accelerate this process in the coming years. "We will take steps forward," he affirmed. Bentley remains a relatively small company, and it recently overhauled a large chunk of its range by releasing the new Continental variants, so don't expect to discover its next design language in the coming months. It's more of a long-term goal for the firm. Luckily, it has plenty of projects in the pipeline. Company boss Adrian Hallmark strongly hinted at "an even more luxurious and even bigger" version of the Bentayga, likely to succeed the Mulsanne (pictured) at the top of the line-up, and he suggested Bentley is tentatively planning to release its first electric model -- possibly with a cutting-edge solid-state battery pack -- about halfway through the 2020s. Speaking of, electrification technology will give stylists the opportunity to explore new design avenues. "I think that, when we talk about an electric car, and only from the design point of view, we have to work on efficiency first of all. This has a certain impact on our design language. It means we need to focus more on aerodynamics and on lightweight design, and this has a direct impact on the styling. I personally think it is a big chance for us; it will help us push the design language forward," he concluded.