SDNR
Kraftwagen König
I really like that colour.
The Ghost is in any wheelbase absolutely stunning.
Here's a Mulsanne Speed in a similar colour:
Here's a Mulsanne Speed in a similar colour:
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
My God that car look glorious!
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
Bentley Mulsanne Speed Blue Train special edition unveiled
Celebrates the 85th anniversary of the Blue Train race
Bentley has unveiled the Mulsanne Speed Blue Train special edition, ahead of its debut at Techno Classica.
Designed to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the ‘Blue Train’ race that was won by Bentley Chairman Captain Woolf Barnato in 1930, the special features black alloy wheels and a revised grille with a square mesh pattern that echoes the original Speed Six.
The model also has a modified interior with "Blue Train 85 Years" tread plates and an "expertly crafted veneer image of the original Bentley ‘Blue Train’ Speed Six." There's also a fluting pattern on the door panels that echo the interior of Barnato’s car.
The first production model will also come with a personalized 'hamper' that features Robbe & Berking silver plated cutlery, Haviland Limoges porcelain crockery, LINLEY crystal champagne flutes and an Angora picnic rug.
According to Bentley Heritage Collection boss Richard Charlesworth, "The Blue Train is one of the most famous and celebrated cars in the world, and it perfectly embodies the racing spirit of the Bentley. Woolf Barnato was a three-time Le Mans victor, but winning the Blue Train race captured the public’s imagination, and fuelled the legend of the Bentley Boys."
Production will be limited to four units and they will be available exclusively to customers in continental Europe.
Source: Bentley
Celebrates the 85th anniversary of the Blue Train race
Bentley has unveiled the Mulsanne Speed Blue Train special edition, ahead of its debut at Techno Classica.
Designed to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the ‘Blue Train’ race that was won by Bentley Chairman Captain Woolf Barnato in 1930, the special features black alloy wheels and a revised grille with a square mesh pattern that echoes the original Speed Six.
The model also has a modified interior with "Blue Train 85 Years" tread plates and an "expertly crafted veneer image of the original Bentley ‘Blue Train’ Speed Six." There's also a fluting pattern on the door panels that echo the interior of Barnato’s car.
The first production model will also come with a personalized 'hamper' that features Robbe & Berking silver plated cutlery, Haviland Limoges porcelain crockery, LINLEY crystal champagne flutes and an Angora picnic rug.
According to Bentley Heritage Collection boss Richard Charlesworth, "The Blue Train is one of the most famous and celebrated cars in the world, and it perfectly embodies the racing spirit of the Bentley. Woolf Barnato was a three-time Le Mans victor, but winning the Blue Train race captured the public’s imagination, and fuelled the legend of the Bentley Boys."
Production will be limited to four units and they will be available exclusively to customers in continental Europe.
Source: Bentley
KiwiRob
Autotechnik Ace
You would think Bentley would get their history right, the Blue Train car was not the Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupe it was a Mulliner bodied Speed Six saloon, this car.
The inlaid veneer has this car, a Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupe, but it's not the car which Woolf beat the Blue Train in. This car was delivered after he won the race.
The inlaid veneer has this car, a Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupe, but it's not the car which Woolf beat the Blue Train in. This car was delivered after he won the race.
kingjr9000
Das Beste Enthusiast
First Test:
2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed
The Wait of Speed
By Scott Evans | Photos By Robin Trajano | May 13, 2015 |
You'll likely assume several things about someone driving a Bentley Mulsanne. You'll assume they're rich, and unless it's a journalist driving, you'll be right. You'll probably assume they like to display their wealth, as there are plenty of less conspicuous cars available to a person of means should they wish to maintain anonymity. If the person in question has bought a new Mulsanne Speed, you'll likely assume they want to get places faster than a standard Mulsanne owner. They probably thought the same thing, but it might not be the case.
It's not an unreasonable expectation, however. The Speed, as its name indicates, carries more power under the pool table hood thanks to internal revisions to the undying 6.75-liter, twin-turbo V-8. Such revisions yield an additional 25 horsepower and 59 lb-ft of torque, which seems like healthy increases until you consider the Mulsanne already made 505 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque. Still, 530 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque is quite a lot.
In addition to making a bit more power, the Mulsanne Speed we tested also carried a bit more weight than the last Mulsanne in our possession — 57 pounds, to be exact. Given that the car crushed our scales at 6,041 pounds (but with excellent 49/51 percent weight balance!), this extra mass is inconsequential to performance, handling, and fuel economy. That's unfortunate because it could otherwise explain our performance testing results.
You see, back in 2010, we tested the then-all-new 2011 Mulsanne, and it was surprisingly capable. It hit 60 mph from naught in 4.9 seconds and ran a 13.5-second quarter mile at 103.7 mph. It stopped from 60 mph in an astonishing 108 feet despite weighing 5,984 pounds. It even pulled 0.83g average on our skidpad and managed a 26.8-second lap around our figure eight test at 0.69g average.I bring up all these numbers to illustrate our conundrum. This more powerful Mulsanne Speed did not exceed the humble Mulsanne in overall performance as expected. Rather, the Speed needed 5.0 seconds to see 60 mph and 13.6 seconds to run a quarter mile at 103.3 mph. On the plus side, the Speed accelerated from 45-65 mph one-tenth of a second quicker than the standard Mulsanne, all the better to pass the proletariat. The problem, as it often is with big-power cars, is one of traction. The Mulsanne Speed just wouldn't hook up and, consequently, couldn't put all that power down. The extra 2 feet required to stop from 60 mph (110 feet total) are mostly insignificant, except in the rare occasion 2 feet is the difference between all's well and rear-ending. The Speed and its recalibrated shock absorbers and steering rack and upgraded tires showed more promise in handling, posting 0.84g average on the skidpad and a 26.6-second figure-eight lap at 0.71g average. And hey, per Bentley, the Speed even pulls down an extra mpg across the board at 12/19/14 mpg city/highway/combined, or slightly less than the 13 percent improvement Bentley predicted. Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth too long, then.
So in the empirical sense, the Mulsanne Speed is underwhelming. We didn't expect massive improvement from the tuned-up motor, but at very least we expected it to perform the same, not slower. But are we asking the right question? Does the buyer of this car purchase it because it's supposed to be faster or because it's the highest-end Mulsanne one can purchase (unless the super-limited production Grand Convertible actually happens)? If Bentley buyers are anything like Mercedes-Benz AMG buyers, they'll buy it because it's one more than a regular Mulsanne.If they're not the type to worry about quarter-mile times for massive luxury sedans, they won't likely be too disappointed. You'll note above the Speed outperforms the standard Mulsanne by a notable margin in our handling tests, and the numbers in this case do translate to the real world. Yes, the Speed is a big car and it picks up speed very quickly, but it's more than manageable. Those retuned shocks and that retuned steering rack aren't just window dressing but do indeed better control the car's mass than would a standard Mulsanne. Fling the big sedan down a mountain road, and it holds the road far better than the initial weight transfer would suggest. Once you learn to love the lean, you'll find you can push the car surprisingly hard without getting yourself in trouble. Give it a little too much, and the front end will plow gently, giving you ample opportunity to back off and bring it back in line.
And let's be honest: Most people can't tell a 0.2-second difference in acceleration time. For some, all that will matter is that it's slower, and it's a damning point. For the ones who don't, they'll find the ballroom-sized hood leaps for the sky with enough vigor to suggest you're driving something immensely powerful and deserving of your respect.To put it another way, the Bentley Mulsanne Speed is not short on character, nor is it short on real-world capability. For some, that will more than make up for its shortcomings on our test track. The rest can spend their money on the Mulliner Driving Specification for a standard Mulsanne instead and get the same handling without the pressure of those little "Speed" badges behind the front wheels.
2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed
The Wait of Speed
By Scott Evans | Photos By Robin Trajano | May 13, 2015 |
You'll likely assume several things about someone driving a Bentley Mulsanne. You'll assume they're rich, and unless it's a journalist driving, you'll be right. You'll probably assume they like to display their wealth, as there are plenty of less conspicuous cars available to a person of means should they wish to maintain anonymity. If the person in question has bought a new Mulsanne Speed, you'll likely assume they want to get places faster than a standard Mulsanne owner. They probably thought the same thing, but it might not be the case.
It's not an unreasonable expectation, however. The Speed, as its name indicates, carries more power under the pool table hood thanks to internal revisions to the undying 6.75-liter, twin-turbo V-8. Such revisions yield an additional 25 horsepower and 59 lb-ft of torque, which seems like healthy increases until you consider the Mulsanne already made 505 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque. Still, 530 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque is quite a lot.
In addition to making a bit more power, the Mulsanne Speed we tested also carried a bit more weight than the last Mulsanne in our possession — 57 pounds, to be exact. Given that the car crushed our scales at 6,041 pounds (but with excellent 49/51 percent weight balance!), this extra mass is inconsequential to performance, handling, and fuel economy. That's unfortunate because it could otherwise explain our performance testing results.
You see, back in 2010, we tested the then-all-new 2011 Mulsanne, and it was surprisingly capable. It hit 60 mph from naught in 4.9 seconds and ran a 13.5-second quarter mile at 103.7 mph. It stopped from 60 mph in an astonishing 108 feet despite weighing 5,984 pounds. It even pulled 0.83g average on our skidpad and managed a 26.8-second lap around our figure eight test at 0.69g average.I bring up all these numbers to illustrate our conundrum. This more powerful Mulsanne Speed did not exceed the humble Mulsanne in overall performance as expected. Rather, the Speed needed 5.0 seconds to see 60 mph and 13.6 seconds to run a quarter mile at 103.3 mph. On the plus side, the Speed accelerated from 45-65 mph one-tenth of a second quicker than the standard Mulsanne, all the better to pass the proletariat. The problem, as it often is with big-power cars, is one of traction. The Mulsanne Speed just wouldn't hook up and, consequently, couldn't put all that power down. The extra 2 feet required to stop from 60 mph (110 feet total) are mostly insignificant, except in the rare occasion 2 feet is the difference between all's well and rear-ending. The Speed and its recalibrated shock absorbers and steering rack and upgraded tires showed more promise in handling, posting 0.84g average on the skidpad and a 26.6-second figure-eight lap at 0.71g average. And hey, per Bentley, the Speed even pulls down an extra mpg across the board at 12/19/14 mpg city/highway/combined, or slightly less than the 13 percent improvement Bentley predicted. Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth too long, then.
So in the empirical sense, the Mulsanne Speed is underwhelming. We didn't expect massive improvement from the tuned-up motor, but at very least we expected it to perform the same, not slower. But are we asking the right question? Does the buyer of this car purchase it because it's supposed to be faster or because it's the highest-end Mulsanne one can purchase (unless the super-limited production Grand Convertible actually happens)? If Bentley buyers are anything like Mercedes-Benz AMG buyers, they'll buy it because it's one more than a regular Mulsanne.If they're not the type to worry about quarter-mile times for massive luxury sedans, they won't likely be too disappointed. You'll note above the Speed outperforms the standard Mulsanne by a notable margin in our handling tests, and the numbers in this case do translate to the real world. Yes, the Speed is a big car and it picks up speed very quickly, but it's more than manageable. Those retuned shocks and that retuned steering rack aren't just window dressing but do indeed better control the car's mass than would a standard Mulsanne. Fling the big sedan down a mountain road, and it holds the road far better than the initial weight transfer would suggest. Once you learn to love the lean, you'll find you can push the car surprisingly hard without getting yourself in trouble. Give it a little too much, and the front end will plow gently, giving you ample opportunity to back off and bring it back in line.
And let's be honest: Most people can't tell a 0.2-second difference in acceleration time. For some, all that will matter is that it's slower, and it's a damning point. For the ones who don't, they'll find the ballroom-sized hood leaps for the sky with enough vigor to suggest you're driving something immensely powerful and deserving of your respect.To put it another way, the Bentley Mulsanne Speed is not short on character, nor is it short on real-world capability. For some, that will more than make up for its shortcomings on our test track. The rest can spend their money on the Mulliner Driving Specification for a standard Mulsanne instead and get the same handling without the pressure of those little "Speed" badges behind the front wheels.
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
Bentley Mulsanne facelift spied together with long wheelbase version (62 pics)
2016 Bentley Mulsanne LWB spy photo / S. Baldauf / SB-Medien
Coming out in 2016
Our spies have sent us a comprehensive batch of images with the Bentley Mulsanne facelift and the brand new long wheelbase version.
2016 is going to be a big year for the Mulsanne lineup as aside from the facelifted sedan Bentley has plans to launch a convertible along with a long wheelbase sedan spotted once again while undergoing testing. The SWB model is 5575 mm long and this LWB model appears to be at least 200 mm longer judging by that very long rear doors and the massive wheelbase.
Speaking of the wheelbase, in the Mulsanne SWB it is 3266 mm long and we expect most of the added length of the LWB to be implemented in the wheelbase to provide even more room for the rear passengers. The larger footprint will have an impact on weight which is set to grow considerably from the current 2,685 kg (5,919 lbs).
In terms of design, the 2016 Mulsanne will come with a slightly wider grille and modified front and rear bumpers while the outer headlights appear to sit higher than they do on the outgoing model and now they are in line with the inner lights. The lighting clusters will likely employ full LED technology and we expect some interior cabin changes as well, but nothing to write home about.
The 6.75-liter V8 twin-turbo engine will likely be carried over, but could receive a power bump - especially in the LWB model - from the current 512 PS (377 kW) and 1,020 Nm (752 lb-ft). A higher state of tune for this engine is already available in the Mulsanne Speed where it churns 537 PS (395 kW) and 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft) which would make it suitable for the long wheelbase model given the higher weight.
An official reveal of the facelifted Mulsanne and the new Mulsanne LWB is expected to occur in March at the Geneva Motor Show, with the Mulsanne Grand Convertible arriving before the year's end.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/1151020100270/bentley-mulsanne-facelift-spied-together-with-long
2016 Bentley Mulsanne LWB spy photo / S. Baldauf / SB-Medien
Coming out in 2016
Our spies have sent us a comprehensive batch of images with the Bentley Mulsanne facelift and the brand new long wheelbase version.
2016 is going to be a big year for the Mulsanne lineup as aside from the facelifted sedan Bentley has plans to launch a convertible along with a long wheelbase sedan spotted once again while undergoing testing. The SWB model is 5575 mm long and this LWB model appears to be at least 200 mm longer judging by that very long rear doors and the massive wheelbase.
Speaking of the wheelbase, in the Mulsanne SWB it is 3266 mm long and we expect most of the added length of the LWB to be implemented in the wheelbase to provide even more room for the rear passengers. The larger footprint will have an impact on weight which is set to grow considerably from the current 2,685 kg (5,919 lbs).
In terms of design, the 2016 Mulsanne will come with a slightly wider grille and modified front and rear bumpers while the outer headlights appear to sit higher than they do on the outgoing model and now they are in line with the inner lights. The lighting clusters will likely employ full LED technology and we expect some interior cabin changes as well, but nothing to write home about.
The 6.75-liter V8 twin-turbo engine will likely be carried over, but could receive a power bump - especially in the LWB model - from the current 512 PS (377 kW) and 1,020 Nm (752 lb-ft). A higher state of tune for this engine is already available in the Mulsanne Speed where it churns 537 PS (395 kW) and 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft) which would make it suitable for the long wheelbase model given the higher weight.
An official reveal of the facelifted Mulsanne and the new Mulsanne LWB is expected to occur in March at the Geneva Motor Show, with the Mulsanne Grand Convertible arriving before the year's end.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/1151020100270/bentley-mulsanne-facelift-spied-together-with-long
SDNR
Kraftwagen König
I've been waiting for the facelift. So it's getting a wider grille (like the Bentayga) ....hmm, I rather like the current grille's proportions. Overall we shouldn't expect too many changes.Bentley Mulsanne facelift spied together with long wheelbase version (62 pics)
2016 Bentley Mulsanne LWB spy photo / S. Baldauf / SB-Medien
Coming out in 2016
Our spies have sent us a comprehensive batch of images with the Bentley Mulsanne facelift and the brand new long wheelbase version.
2016 is going to be a big year for the Mulsanne lineup as aside from the facelifted sedan Bentley has plans to launch a convertible along with a long wheelbase sedan spotted once again while undergoing testing. The SWB model is 5575 mm long and this LWB model appears to be at least 200 mm longer judging by that very long rear doors and the massive wheelbase.
Speaking of the wheelbase, in the Mulsanne SWB it is 3266 mm long and we expect most of the added length of the LWB to be implemented in the wheelbase to provide even more room for the rear passengers. The larger footprint will have an impact on weight which is set to grow considerably from the current 2,685 kg (5,919 lbs).
In terms of design, the 2016 Mulsanne will come with a slightly wider grille and modified front and rear bumpers while the outer headlights appear to sit higher than they do on the outgoing model and now they are in line with the inner lights. The lighting clusters will likely employ full LED technology and we expect some interior cabin changes as well, but nothing to write home about.
The 6.75-liter V8 twin-turbo engine will likely be carried over, but could receive a power bump - especially in the LWB model - from the current 512 PS (377 kW) and 1,020 Nm (752 lb-ft). A higher state of tune for this engine is already available in the Mulsanne Speed where it churns 537 PS (395 kW) and 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft) which would make it suitable for the long wheelbase model given the higher weight.
An official reveal of the facelifted Mulsanne and the new Mulsanne LWB is expected to occur in March at the Geneva Motor Show, with the Mulsanne Grand Convertible arriving before the year's end.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/1151020100270/bentley-mulsanne-facelift-spied-together-with-long
The longer wheelbase makes the Mulsanne look quite ponderous ....but it certainly looks prestigious.
I wonder what the sales numbers for the Mulsanne are like ....I suspect they are minuscule compared to the Flying Spur.
....on closer inspection, that front end appears to be very heavily camouflaged (not just the new LEDs); that grille doesn't look right. I think there is more going on here than we can anticipate yet.
ThroughandThrough
Kraftkurve King
LWB vs SWB vs Mercedes-Maybach S600
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
Bentley Mulsanne
Bentley Motors announced full details of its new Mulsanne - the ultimate expression of British automotive luxury.
Handcrafted in Crewe, England, by a team of highly skilled artisans, the Mulsanne is the flagship of the Bentley range and represents everything the British brand knows about building the world's most powerful, most luxurious cars.
For the first time, the Mulsanne family now comprises three distinct models, all with their own unique abilities and attributes. The Mulsanne, Mulsanne Speed and Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase all share Bentley's unrivalled levels of attention to detail and craftsmanship, while at the same time catering for the needs of individual customers.
The new Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase, for example, has been designed with the rear-seat passenger in mind. An additional 250 mm of rear legroom, airline-style extending legrests and a rear compartment sunroof combine to create the most relaxing automotive environment in the world. The Mulsanne Speed, meanwhile, is tailored for the driver with 537 PS (530 bhp / 395 kW) and 1,100 Nm (811 lb.ft) of torque resulting in a 0-60 mph time of just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph.
A suite of elegantly executed styling revisions mark the new Mulsanne out from its predecessor. The entire front-end style of the car (forward of the A pillar) has been completely redesigned. The fenders, bonnet, radiator shell, grilles, lights - and bumpers fore and aft - have all been updated, giving the car a more modern and integrated appearance.
On the inside, occupants will of course find the world's finest handcrafted wood, leather and metal fittings, and the new Mulsanne also boasts redesigned seats, new door trims and armrests, unique glass switchgear and an industry-leading palette of 24 exquisite hide colours.
The new Bentley Mulsanne also features a suite of innovative, cutting-edge technologies. A new touchscreen infotainment system has been developed for the Mulsanne.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, comments: "The Mulsanne is the epitome of Bentley's DNA - exquisite, individual and powerful. It defines luxury in the automotive world and offers a uniquely Bentley blend of luxury and performance.
"The three distinct handcrafted models now available each offer customers something different. The Mulsanne, with its understated elegance and sporting purpose, remains the consummate luxury limousine; the Mulsanne Speed is the pinnacle of luxury and performance thanks to its immense power, torque and refinement; and now the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase - with its extraordinary airline-style seats and rear-passenger bias - becomes the new benchmark in automotive comfort."
New Bentley Mulsanne - Pinnacle Luxury for Visionary Customers
The front of the new Bentley Mulsanne has been entirely redesigned, with the resultant look exuding a more modern, integrated air.
The new, imposing front end is dominated by a large stainless steel vertical-vane grille, 80 mm wider than before, that celebrates the great models of the past, such as the 8 Litre of 1930, Embiricos and R-Type Continental. Through these vertical vanes the Bentley matrix grille is visible.
Positioned either side of this are a pair of floating all-LED headlamps. These new units feature advanced adaptive technology and greatly increased night vision, with beam patterns that automatically adjust to suit the driving conditions. The LED lights sit flush within the seamless superformed aluminium front fenders. Innovative design features, like the discreet chrome-capped headlamp washers that sit within the adjacent outer lamps, demonstrate an ethos of precise execution of detail. A new horizon line is also created across the front of the Mulsanne by raising the outer lamps so that their bases are in line with the main headlights.
The new one-piece bumper, radiator shell and bonnet integrate seamlessly with flush joins creating more visual width and presence. These features flow down to a lower vane-grille section, which is in turn flanked by 'B' signature matrix elements - pushed further out to the corners by 53 mm either side - and finished in bright chrome.
The brightware detailing continues on either side of the Mulsanne with a new B-shaped wing vent incorporated into the lower section of the fender.
At the rear, this more planted appearance continues with new tail lights and a redesigned bumper. The bumper, which has 26 mm wider lower corners and a strong light-catching feature line, creates a more purposeful appearance. The new tail lamps incorporate a 'B' theme with light guides creating an instantly recognisable signature - particularly in the dark.
On the inside, the Bentley Mulsanne's reputation for offering the finest automotive interior in the world is further enhanced. It takes more than 150 hours to create the sumptuous soft-touch leather interior, which now features redesigned seats, armrests and door trims. The Mulsanne's seats - the industry benchmark for comfort - are now available in two new styles: Fluted, or Quilted. Customers also have the choice of 24 hide colours and single or duo-tone finishes.
Hand-selected veneers form pure and elegant surfaces throughout the cabin, and each of the 40 pieces are shaped by Bentley's artisans from a choice of 13 different veneers, and finished with trademark attention to detail. Elsewhere in the cabin, bright-polished stainless steel, unique glass switchgear, traditional knurled controls and deep-pile carpets enhance the pinnacle luxury environment.
A suite of innovative and advanced technologies have been added, ensuring that the new Mulsanne is as technologically advanced as it is luxurious.
The new Mulsanne features a completely new infotainment system, boasting class-leading navigation technology. It also features a selection of on-board infotainment systems that raise the bar for audio and visual entertainment on the move.
The core of the new system is an all-new touch-screen-based infotainment platform with additional haptic controls, classic analogue gauges and state-of-the-art rear-seat entertainment. The main 8" display touch screen is connected to a 60 GB solid-state hard drive for the storage of on-board media.
High Beam Assist automatically switches between high beam and dipped headlights when oncoming vehicles are detected. The system also adapts the shape of the light beam according to vehicle speed in three separate modes - Town, Country and Motorway.
Between 10 km/h and 250 km/h the Blind Spot Warning system detects vehicles behind the Mulsanne and in its blind spots, predicting the possibility of a collision. Visual warnings are issued to the driver via flashing lights in the door mirrors.
For additional safety while on the move, the new Mulsanne comes with Advanced Automatic Stability Control (ASC) including collision mitigation features.
The new Mulsanne can be specified with the world's most powerful automotive OEM audio system - Naim for Bentley Premium Audio. This bespoke on-board audio system features 20 speakers, 20 channels, a 2,200 watt amplifier and Super Tweeters, for unrivalled re-creation of the highest audio frequencies.
Rear-seat passengers benefit from the introduction of the Bentley Entertainment Tablet - a pair of 10.2" Android devices (with 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth) seamlessly integrated into the backs of the front seats. With typically exquisite attention to detail, a single touch of a button engages a beautifully weighted mechanism, smoothly deploying the screens from their stowed positions.
The Android-powered tablets, which feature a Bentley-specific interface, have access to over a million Android Apps - such as Skype, Google Play and Spotify - and can be used away from the car, in the office and at home. Each tablet has 32 GB of on-board storage (expandable to 128 GB via a Micro-SDXC card), USB ports and a front-facing camera. Audio can also be streamed through the vehicle speakers, and new destinations can be sent from the tablets to the Mulsanne's navigation system. Internet browsing is via the car's 4G WiFi system, permitting access to internet radio and local or streamed video.
In the new Bentley Mulsanne, the mighty 6¾-litre V8 develops 512 PS (505 bhp / 377 kW) and 1,020 Nm (752 lb.ft) of torque. This immense power - channelled though an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission - is available from just above idle right across the rev range, ensuring that with even the slightest input the driver is immediately rewarded with phenomenal acceleration.
The sprint to 60 mph is dispatched in just 5.1 seconds en route to a top speed of 184 mph (296 km/h). The Mulsanne's V8 engine features key technologies such as cylinder de-activation and variable cam phasing, which reduce both fuel consumption (19.3 mpg / 14.6 L/100 km on the combined cycle) and CO2 emissions (342 g/km).
The Mulsanne's prodigious power and torque are complemented by all-new chassis hardware including active engine mounts and suspension bushes. To further enhance the trademark hushed ride, Bentley has integrated the latest noise absorption technology into the Mulsanne's tyres. This advanced foam architecture reduces interior cabin noise by up to 4 dBA and provides an unmatched level of ride refinement.
The Drive Dynamics Control system, operated by a rotary switch mounted next to the gearshift selector, can be used to choose from three standard modes - Bentley, Sport and Comfort - offering precise calibration of suspension and steering control systems. A fourth mode, Custom, allows the driver to select bespoke settings via the multimedia system to 'tune' the Mulsanne to a preferred driving style.
The air suspension system with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) creates a refined and comfortable ride at lower speeds, and lowers the Mulsanne's ride height automatically at high speeds to reduce lift and improve aerodynamic stability.
With 20" alloy wheels and 265/45 ZR 20 tyres as standard, dynamic handling is assured. Customers may also opt for 21" wheels, available in three styles, fitted with 265/40 ZR 21 tyres.
Bentley Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase: Rear Passenger Comfort Redefined
Designed for customers with a preference for being driven, the Bentley Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase offers a first-class air-travel experience for the road.
The 250 mm extension of the Mulsanne's wheelbase (from 3,266 mm up to 3,516 mm) is entirely to the benefit of rear-seat passenger legroom. This significant increase in interior space makes the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase the most generously proportion pinnacle luxury limousine in the world, and by far the most comfortable way to travel on four wheels.
To make the best use of the additional rear legroom, Bentley has developed airline-style electronic legrests which are integrated into the bases of the two rear seats. These extend outward and pivot, affording rear-seat passengers the luxury of choice between upright, relaxed and reclined seating positions.
A beautifully appointed console separates the two rear seats in the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase. Ornate and functional, the console is appointed in the finest handcrafted veneer, metal, glass and leather and houses practical features such as USB ports, pen holders, cup holders and a glass-covered stowage area.
For those passengers who wish to work on the move, both rear seats can also be specified with a deployable, folding table. For privacy, electric curtains at the rear are standard fitment and can be tailored with either a black or champagne coloured interior lining.
Rear-seat passengers also benefit from a large-format sunroof over the rear cabin. Controlled by the passengers or the driver, the tilting and sliding glass panel (with Alcantara sun blind) allows natural light to flood into the Mulsanne's beautifully appointed cabin and clearly reinforces the Extended Wheelbase's focus on the rearward passenger.
For additional differentiation and choice, customers are able to specify their cars in a wide range of duo-tone exterior paint combinations and with a beautiful new 21" wheel.
Bentley Mulsanne Speed: Exquisite Luxury with Driving Satisfaction
Featuring a more powerful version of Bentley's mighty 6¾-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, the new Mulsanne Speed is truly tailored for the driver. With 537 PS (530 bhp / 395 kW), 1,100 Nm (811 lb.ft) of torque and selectable sports suspension, the Speed combines outstanding driving satisfaction with supreme comfort.
The Speed dispatches the sprint to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds (0‑100 km/h in 4.9 seconds) and has a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) - unrivalled figures in the ultra-luxury sector.
The connection between the car and driver is key, so the Speed's engine is paired with a recalibrated ZF 8-speed gearbox designed to enhance the driving experience. The gear strategy is optimised to make best use of the increased engine output, and is designed for instant delivery. 'S' mode gives the driver even more control, and maintains the engine speed above 2,000 rpm so that the turbochargers are always spooled and ready to deliver instantaneous performance.
To make the most of the Speed's effortless power and acceleration, an even more driver-focused Sport suspension mode is included. While the Bentley and Comfort suspension modes provide a comfort-focused and fully compliant chassis set-up, the Sport mode stiffens the all-round air suspension for improved body control and adjusts the steering dynamics for greater feedback and accuracy.
The Mulsanne Speed features a series of uniquely assertive styling features that mark it out as the high-performance pinnacle flagship. A dark tint finish is applied to the exterior brightware, affording the Speed a more menacing appearance. Exclusive 21" hand-finished 'Speed' alloys; dark tinted front and rear lamps; rifled sports exhausts; and Speed fender badging highlight the credentials of the world's fastest ultra-luxury driving experience.
On the inside - in addition to the interior updates common across the Mulsanne range - the Speed also benefits from a number of new features that highlight its athletic, sporting abilities. For example, the Mulliner Driving Specification interior comes as standard, adding diamond-quilted seats, a knurled gear lever, drilled alloy sport pedals and optional carbon fibre waistrail inserts.
The Pinnacle of Automotive Luxury, Handcrafted in Crewe
The Bentley Mulsanne is handcrafted from the ground up in Crewe, with its 400-hour production journey beginning in the Body in White workshop. Working by hand and by eye, master metal workers expertly complete 5,800 individual welds.
Where the roof flows into the rear haunch through the deep D-pillar, a dedicated team brazes the joint by hand until it is totally imperceptible. It takes a human touch to achieve, and once painted is completely invisible to the eye - looking and feeling as though it were hewn from a solid piece of metal.
The sculpted nature of the Mulsanne's body means that the paint must be applied in different depths to appear even, which is why each one is hand-sprayed. After lacquering, each car is fine-sanded before being polished with lamb's wool for 12 hours to achieve an appearance so reflective it's termed the 'Bentley Mirror Finish' - and is the industry benchmark.
Opening the door of the Bentley flagship reveals a foundation of solid walnut, cherry or oak visibly running through the dashboard and overlaid with a choice of 13 different veneers.
After the root burl has been steamed and finely sliced into 0.6 mm thick bundles of veneer, Bentley veneer experts travel to wherever it may be to analyse the results. The final selection process occurs at Crewe, where the veneer is chosen by the craftsperson who will ultimately bring it to life. Only the most highly 'figured' sections - parts with naturally decorative marks - are chosen, before being mirror matched and applied to the solid wood substrate.
Of the 400 hours it takes to build a Mulsanne, around 150 are dedicated to creating the sumptuous leather interior - before additional options are considered. Stitched, shaped and finished entirely by hand, the completed seats, doors and other leather accoutrements rival the quality of luxury domestic furniture. The contrast stitching alone takes 37 hours to complete.
Bentley Motors announced full details of its new Mulsanne - the ultimate expression of British automotive luxury.
Handcrafted in Crewe, England, by a team of highly skilled artisans, the Mulsanne is the flagship of the Bentley range and represents everything the British brand knows about building the world's most powerful, most luxurious cars.
For the first time, the Mulsanne family now comprises three distinct models, all with their own unique abilities and attributes. The Mulsanne, Mulsanne Speed and Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase all share Bentley's unrivalled levels of attention to detail and craftsmanship, while at the same time catering for the needs of individual customers.
The new Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase, for example, has been designed with the rear-seat passenger in mind. An additional 250 mm of rear legroom, airline-style extending legrests and a rear compartment sunroof combine to create the most relaxing automotive environment in the world. The Mulsanne Speed, meanwhile, is tailored for the driver with 537 PS (530 bhp / 395 kW) and 1,100 Nm (811 lb.ft) of torque resulting in a 0-60 mph time of just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph.
A suite of elegantly executed styling revisions mark the new Mulsanne out from its predecessor. The entire front-end style of the car (forward of the A pillar) has been completely redesigned. The fenders, bonnet, radiator shell, grilles, lights - and bumpers fore and aft - have all been updated, giving the car a more modern and integrated appearance.
On the inside, occupants will of course find the world's finest handcrafted wood, leather and metal fittings, and the new Mulsanne also boasts redesigned seats, new door trims and armrests, unique glass switchgear and an industry-leading palette of 24 exquisite hide colours.
The new Bentley Mulsanne also features a suite of innovative, cutting-edge technologies. A new touchscreen infotainment system has been developed for the Mulsanne.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, comments: "The Mulsanne is the epitome of Bentley's DNA - exquisite, individual and powerful. It defines luxury in the automotive world and offers a uniquely Bentley blend of luxury and performance.
"The three distinct handcrafted models now available each offer customers something different. The Mulsanne, with its understated elegance and sporting purpose, remains the consummate luxury limousine; the Mulsanne Speed is the pinnacle of luxury and performance thanks to its immense power, torque and refinement; and now the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase - with its extraordinary airline-style seats and rear-passenger bias - becomes the new benchmark in automotive comfort."
New Bentley Mulsanne - Pinnacle Luxury for Visionary Customers
The front of the new Bentley Mulsanne has been entirely redesigned, with the resultant look exuding a more modern, integrated air.
The new, imposing front end is dominated by a large stainless steel vertical-vane grille, 80 mm wider than before, that celebrates the great models of the past, such as the 8 Litre of 1930, Embiricos and R-Type Continental. Through these vertical vanes the Bentley matrix grille is visible.
Positioned either side of this are a pair of floating all-LED headlamps. These new units feature advanced adaptive technology and greatly increased night vision, with beam patterns that automatically adjust to suit the driving conditions. The LED lights sit flush within the seamless superformed aluminium front fenders. Innovative design features, like the discreet chrome-capped headlamp washers that sit within the adjacent outer lamps, demonstrate an ethos of precise execution of detail. A new horizon line is also created across the front of the Mulsanne by raising the outer lamps so that their bases are in line with the main headlights.
The new one-piece bumper, radiator shell and bonnet integrate seamlessly with flush joins creating more visual width and presence. These features flow down to a lower vane-grille section, which is in turn flanked by 'B' signature matrix elements - pushed further out to the corners by 53 mm either side - and finished in bright chrome.
The brightware detailing continues on either side of the Mulsanne with a new B-shaped wing vent incorporated into the lower section of the fender.
At the rear, this more planted appearance continues with new tail lights and a redesigned bumper. The bumper, which has 26 mm wider lower corners and a strong light-catching feature line, creates a more purposeful appearance. The new tail lamps incorporate a 'B' theme with light guides creating an instantly recognisable signature - particularly in the dark.
On the inside, the Bentley Mulsanne's reputation for offering the finest automotive interior in the world is further enhanced. It takes more than 150 hours to create the sumptuous soft-touch leather interior, which now features redesigned seats, armrests and door trims. The Mulsanne's seats - the industry benchmark for comfort - are now available in two new styles: Fluted, or Quilted. Customers also have the choice of 24 hide colours and single or duo-tone finishes.
Hand-selected veneers form pure and elegant surfaces throughout the cabin, and each of the 40 pieces are shaped by Bentley's artisans from a choice of 13 different veneers, and finished with trademark attention to detail. Elsewhere in the cabin, bright-polished stainless steel, unique glass switchgear, traditional knurled controls and deep-pile carpets enhance the pinnacle luxury environment.
A suite of innovative and advanced technologies have been added, ensuring that the new Mulsanne is as technologically advanced as it is luxurious.
The new Mulsanne features a completely new infotainment system, boasting class-leading navigation technology. It also features a selection of on-board infotainment systems that raise the bar for audio and visual entertainment on the move.
The core of the new system is an all-new touch-screen-based infotainment platform with additional haptic controls, classic analogue gauges and state-of-the-art rear-seat entertainment. The main 8" display touch screen is connected to a 60 GB solid-state hard drive for the storage of on-board media.
High Beam Assist automatically switches between high beam and dipped headlights when oncoming vehicles are detected. The system also adapts the shape of the light beam according to vehicle speed in three separate modes - Town, Country and Motorway.
Between 10 km/h and 250 km/h the Blind Spot Warning system detects vehicles behind the Mulsanne and in its blind spots, predicting the possibility of a collision. Visual warnings are issued to the driver via flashing lights in the door mirrors.
For additional safety while on the move, the new Mulsanne comes with Advanced Automatic Stability Control (ASC) including collision mitigation features.
The new Mulsanne can be specified with the world's most powerful automotive OEM audio system - Naim for Bentley Premium Audio. This bespoke on-board audio system features 20 speakers, 20 channels, a 2,200 watt amplifier and Super Tweeters, for unrivalled re-creation of the highest audio frequencies.
Rear-seat passengers benefit from the introduction of the Bentley Entertainment Tablet - a pair of 10.2" Android devices (with 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth) seamlessly integrated into the backs of the front seats. With typically exquisite attention to detail, a single touch of a button engages a beautifully weighted mechanism, smoothly deploying the screens from their stowed positions.
The Android-powered tablets, which feature a Bentley-specific interface, have access to over a million Android Apps - such as Skype, Google Play and Spotify - and can be used away from the car, in the office and at home. Each tablet has 32 GB of on-board storage (expandable to 128 GB via a Micro-SDXC card), USB ports and a front-facing camera. Audio can also be streamed through the vehicle speakers, and new destinations can be sent from the tablets to the Mulsanne's navigation system. Internet browsing is via the car's 4G WiFi system, permitting access to internet radio and local or streamed video.
In the new Bentley Mulsanne, the mighty 6¾-litre V8 develops 512 PS (505 bhp / 377 kW) and 1,020 Nm (752 lb.ft) of torque. This immense power - channelled though an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission - is available from just above idle right across the rev range, ensuring that with even the slightest input the driver is immediately rewarded with phenomenal acceleration.
The sprint to 60 mph is dispatched in just 5.1 seconds en route to a top speed of 184 mph (296 km/h). The Mulsanne's V8 engine features key technologies such as cylinder de-activation and variable cam phasing, which reduce both fuel consumption (19.3 mpg / 14.6 L/100 km on the combined cycle) and CO2 emissions (342 g/km).
The Mulsanne's prodigious power and torque are complemented by all-new chassis hardware including active engine mounts and suspension bushes. To further enhance the trademark hushed ride, Bentley has integrated the latest noise absorption technology into the Mulsanne's tyres. This advanced foam architecture reduces interior cabin noise by up to 4 dBA and provides an unmatched level of ride refinement.
The Drive Dynamics Control system, operated by a rotary switch mounted next to the gearshift selector, can be used to choose from three standard modes - Bentley, Sport and Comfort - offering precise calibration of suspension and steering control systems. A fourth mode, Custom, allows the driver to select bespoke settings via the multimedia system to 'tune' the Mulsanne to a preferred driving style.
The air suspension system with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) creates a refined and comfortable ride at lower speeds, and lowers the Mulsanne's ride height automatically at high speeds to reduce lift and improve aerodynamic stability.
With 20" alloy wheels and 265/45 ZR 20 tyres as standard, dynamic handling is assured. Customers may also opt for 21" wheels, available in three styles, fitted with 265/40 ZR 21 tyres.
Bentley Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase: Rear Passenger Comfort Redefined
Designed for customers with a preference for being driven, the Bentley Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase offers a first-class air-travel experience for the road.
The 250 mm extension of the Mulsanne's wheelbase (from 3,266 mm up to 3,516 mm) is entirely to the benefit of rear-seat passenger legroom. This significant increase in interior space makes the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase the most generously proportion pinnacle luxury limousine in the world, and by far the most comfortable way to travel on four wheels.
To make the best use of the additional rear legroom, Bentley has developed airline-style electronic legrests which are integrated into the bases of the two rear seats. These extend outward and pivot, affording rear-seat passengers the luxury of choice between upright, relaxed and reclined seating positions.
A beautifully appointed console separates the two rear seats in the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase. Ornate and functional, the console is appointed in the finest handcrafted veneer, metal, glass and leather and houses practical features such as USB ports, pen holders, cup holders and a glass-covered stowage area.
For those passengers who wish to work on the move, both rear seats can also be specified with a deployable, folding table. For privacy, electric curtains at the rear are standard fitment and can be tailored with either a black or champagne coloured interior lining.
Rear-seat passengers also benefit from a large-format sunroof over the rear cabin. Controlled by the passengers or the driver, the tilting and sliding glass panel (with Alcantara sun blind) allows natural light to flood into the Mulsanne's beautifully appointed cabin and clearly reinforces the Extended Wheelbase's focus on the rearward passenger.
For additional differentiation and choice, customers are able to specify their cars in a wide range of duo-tone exterior paint combinations and with a beautiful new 21" wheel.
Bentley Mulsanne Speed: Exquisite Luxury with Driving Satisfaction
Featuring a more powerful version of Bentley's mighty 6¾-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, the new Mulsanne Speed is truly tailored for the driver. With 537 PS (530 bhp / 395 kW), 1,100 Nm (811 lb.ft) of torque and selectable sports suspension, the Speed combines outstanding driving satisfaction with supreme comfort.
The Speed dispatches the sprint to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds (0‑100 km/h in 4.9 seconds) and has a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) - unrivalled figures in the ultra-luxury sector.
The connection between the car and driver is key, so the Speed's engine is paired with a recalibrated ZF 8-speed gearbox designed to enhance the driving experience. The gear strategy is optimised to make best use of the increased engine output, and is designed for instant delivery. 'S' mode gives the driver even more control, and maintains the engine speed above 2,000 rpm so that the turbochargers are always spooled and ready to deliver instantaneous performance.
To make the most of the Speed's effortless power and acceleration, an even more driver-focused Sport suspension mode is included. While the Bentley and Comfort suspension modes provide a comfort-focused and fully compliant chassis set-up, the Sport mode stiffens the all-round air suspension for improved body control and adjusts the steering dynamics for greater feedback and accuracy.
The Mulsanne Speed features a series of uniquely assertive styling features that mark it out as the high-performance pinnacle flagship. A dark tint finish is applied to the exterior brightware, affording the Speed a more menacing appearance. Exclusive 21" hand-finished 'Speed' alloys; dark tinted front and rear lamps; rifled sports exhausts; and Speed fender badging highlight the credentials of the world's fastest ultra-luxury driving experience.
On the inside - in addition to the interior updates common across the Mulsanne range - the Speed also benefits from a number of new features that highlight its athletic, sporting abilities. For example, the Mulliner Driving Specification interior comes as standard, adding diamond-quilted seats, a knurled gear lever, drilled alloy sport pedals and optional carbon fibre waistrail inserts.
The Pinnacle of Automotive Luxury, Handcrafted in Crewe
The Bentley Mulsanne is handcrafted from the ground up in Crewe, with its 400-hour production journey beginning in the Body in White workshop. Working by hand and by eye, master metal workers expertly complete 5,800 individual welds.
Where the roof flows into the rear haunch through the deep D-pillar, a dedicated team brazes the joint by hand until it is totally imperceptible. It takes a human touch to achieve, and once painted is completely invisible to the eye - looking and feeling as though it were hewn from a solid piece of metal.
The sculpted nature of the Mulsanne's body means that the paint must be applied in different depths to appear even, which is why each one is hand-sprayed. After lacquering, each car is fine-sanded before being polished with lamb's wool for 12 hours to achieve an appearance so reflective it's termed the 'Bentley Mirror Finish' - and is the industry benchmark.
Opening the door of the Bentley flagship reveals a foundation of solid walnut, cherry or oak visibly running through the dashboard and overlaid with a choice of 13 different veneers.
After the root burl has been steamed and finely sliced into 0.6 mm thick bundles of veneer, Bentley veneer experts travel to wherever it may be to analyse the results. The final selection process occurs at Crewe, where the veneer is chosen by the craftsperson who will ultimately bring it to life. Only the most highly 'figured' sections - parts with naturally decorative marks - are chosen, before being mirror matched and applied to the solid wood substrate.
Of the 400 hours it takes to build a Mulsanne, around 150 are dedicated to creating the sumptuous leather interior - before additional options are considered. Stitched, shaped and finished entirely by hand, the completed seats, doors and other leather accoutrements rival the quality of luxury domestic furniture. The contrast stitching alone takes 37 hours to complete.
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Bentley
Bentley Motors Limited is a British designer, manufacturer,
and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs. Headquartered in Crewe,
England, the company was founded by W. O. Bentley (1888-1971)
in 1919 in Cricklewood, North London, and became widely known
for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929
and 1930. Bentley has been a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group
since 1998 and consolidated under VW's premium brand arm Audi
in 2022.
Official website: Bentley Motors
Official website: Bentley Motors
