Building the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne's body

Combining modern technology with traditional coachbuilding techniques and the attention to detail that can only come from master crafters and stratospheric price tags, the Bentley Mulsanne requires 125 man-hours to create just the body of pre-production vehicles. Details like the hand-brazed seam on the D-pillar, which hides panel seams to create a smooth, flowing look across the rear of the car, are still done by hand to achieve the optimal result.

Hand-hammering of the body panels is out, however, as the complex shapes of the Mulsanne's front fenders requires the use of superforming, a high-tech process that heats an aluminum sheet to 500 degrees centigrade and molds it to form with air pressure. Check out the video below for a look at the entire process.