From the June 2016 issue
Almost as much as fuel, electronic signals are the lifeblood of a modern vehicle. And the Bentley ­Bentayga is a poster child for just how complex today?s electrical systems can be. If it doesn?t have the most-elaborate wiring in the civilian ground-bound vehicular world, it?s close. The Bentayga offers four long-range radar systems, up to 12 short-range ultrasonic parking sensors, six camera systems, dozens of lighting ­elements, a 48-volt roll-control suspension system, a champagne fridge, an 18-speaker stereo, a watch winder, and seats that can warm, cool, and massage occupants. And all of it is designed to withstand heat, cold, dust, moisture, and electromagnetic interference. Presented on this page is what might look like an aggressive case of rosacea but is actually the Bentley?s complete wiring harness.
>100 MILLION
Lines of code in a Bentayga, the vast majority of which are written in proprietary computer languages. The Bentayga?s product-line director tells us that refining and debugging the software in a modern car can be the biggest task facing its developers.

?The harness is delivered on a pallet that?s basically the size of the car,? says Peter Guest, Bentayga product-line director. ?It?s so big and stiff, it?s not like an old-fashioned harness with flexible wires.? And there?s not just one standard Bentayga wiring harness. Each individual SUV gets a harness specifically built for it depending on its options load. In Bentley?s ...