Mulsanne Bentley Mulsanne Priced at $285,000

[HighestOfHigh]

There’s no stinkin’ recession. At least in the eyes of Bentley Motors, people are still willing to drop hard cash on luxury cars. Its new luxury liner, the Mulsanne, which goes into production in the second quarter of next year, will carry a hefty price tag of $285,000. And that’s not including taxes or delivery charges.

“Even at this very early stage, the expression of interest we’ve received easily exceeds our 2010 production targets,” said Stuart McCullough, member of the board for sales and marketing for Bentley. “We’ve been encouraged by the positive commentary, notably from our American customers as the Mulsanne was privately previewed in seven metro markets across the country.”

So what do you get for $285,000? For starters, plenty of decisions. There are 114 paint colors to choose from, 21 carpet colors, nine wood veneers and 24 leather hides. Naturally, custom colors are also available at a premium. Each Mulsanne will take nine weeks to build.

Bentley emphasizes the amount of hands-on craftsmanship that’s involved in the building of the Mulsanne. According to a news release that accompanied the car’s appearance at the Frankfurt auto show, “All spot welds are performed by hand during the Mulsanne’s construction and all panel joints are hand-brazed. These further enhance that ‘hewn from solid’ appearance and result in an extremely stiff body.” Construction will take place in a new plant at the Bentley factory in Crewe, England.

The Mulsanne is powered by a hand-built 6.75-liter V-8 engine that’s been re-engineered with the environment in mind — well, as much as a 500-horsepower V-8 can. The engine has been lightened and incorporates two technologies — cam phasing and cylinder deactivation — to reduce fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions (though there’s no information on the Mulsanne’s fuel economy).

- Bentley Mulsanne Priced at $285,000 - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com

 

[Vivaki]

I was quite shocked when I found out two weeks ago that the mulsanne will be £220,000 in the UK ($365,000)

 

[Centurion]

“Even at this very early stage, the expression of interest we’ve received easily exceeds our 2010 production targets,”

I'm not surprised. The aluminum body panels are works of art. Pricing is much more reasonable than I anticipated given how exquisite it looks and the fact that it's based on a bespoke platform. It looks so much more expensive. But I guess that's what VAG does best, keeping costs down. The Flying Spur is an excellent example of great value for money.

 

[klier]

It's so freaking ugly that the price is a nice compensation. The front is beyond belief with those headlights.
The side is stunning though

 

[Giannis]

How is that price compared to the Phantom and the Ghost?

 

[Centurion]

It's so freaking ugly that the price is a nice compensation. The front is beyond belief with those headlights.

Photos exaggerate details which don't stand out at all in real life. Standing before the car, you barely notice the outter lights more than you pay attention to fog lights on any smaller car. This is an exceptionally elegant car and is anything but ugly. Design and proportion-wise the Mulsanne and S5 are the most well crafted cars in VAG line-up, and are inarguably pleasing to the eyes.

 

[klier]

Well, I have to say I haven't seen the car irl yet, bu the side profile in your avatar is very nice. The front in HoH's post however.....

 

[EnI]

How is that price compared to the Phantom and the Ghost?

Phantom SWB: $340k
Phantom EWB: $400k
Ghost: $245k

Mulsanne: $285k
Continental FS: $175k



So, it sits between Ghost (- $40k), and Phantom SWB (+ $55k).

 

[Giannis]

Phantom SWB: $340k
Phantom EWB: $400k
Ghost: $245k

Mulsanne: $285k
Continental FS: $175k



So, it sits between Ghost (- $40k), and Phantom SWB (+ $55k).

So it sits right in the middle. Quite clever pricing!

I am very curious if it will steal sales from the RR brand, or it will only have "old money" clientele.

 

[Centurion]

So it sits right in the middle. Quite clever pricing!

I am very curious if it will steal sales from the RR brand, or it will only have "old money" clientele.

Pricing is marvelous. You're basically getting Phantom size and quality is a more reasonable price. This is partly due to higher production volumes which allow Bentley to sell the car at a lower price. So I definetly see it leeching some Phantom sales, especially when it's equally a large but come in a more slender and discrete package.

Yet both brands are a bit different and hold the same philosphy as their parent companies, so each to his own. It all depends on how you want to project yourself on the road, because these are more lifestyle accessories then they are cars.

BMW & RR = Progressive and bold.

Audi & Bentley = Conservative and understated.

 

[Merc1]

Stunning car, fair, smart pricing IMO.

M

 

[EnI]

As I predicted: the price is slotted right between Ghost & Mulsanne. Although quite many here were very aggressive telling the Mulsanne price will be on par with Phantom.

So, that's not happening.

Btw, the both cars are completely different in character - to drive or to being driven.

IMO Mulsanne & Ghost are much closer in characters (indifferent suits, though) - therefore IMO there will be some cross-shopping here - merely based on details & styling preferences. Old style vs modern.

Still in very essence the RR cars with trademark suicide doors are much more suited to be driven in. While Bentley's are more a driver's cars. Very much like the MB vs BMW. RR having MB role, and Bentley the BMW one.

 

[GrimReaper]

I doubt it's going to take sales away from the Ghost but rather the Phantom.

The Ghost is undoubtedly going to take away sales from the Continental series. Both those cars essentially go for the flashy new money 7/S clientele who have earned money but not to the level of a Phantom and want something higher than the common luxury sedans.

The Mulsanne however IMO will attract the old money Bentley aficionados rather than the Phantom flash style customers.

 

[Centurion]

IMO Mulsanne & Ghost are much closer in characters

They are not. It's like comparing a Bose product to one from B&O. With the Mulsanne the experience start with something that typically overlooked -- the paint work. Words cannot describe how mesmerising the liquid metal paint work is. Then there is the amazing sheet metal too. Just looking at the car instantly hints that you're dealing with the absolute best that money can buy. It's that extreme level of detail not present on the Ghost and Flying Spur which were designed bridge the world of Audi & BMW with RR and Bentley.

Besides that, the Mulsanne is an obscenely long and large car -- huge as the Phantom. Silliness would be to describe it as a driver,s car because it's anything but. Furthere more it will come in a LWB version and, like the phantom, has options that are simply unavailable to the FS and Ghost.

I've had a chance to get acquainted with the ins and outsides of all four cars on two occasions, though the Mulsanne had its doors locked to the public. Although the Ghost is an attractive purchase, its interior quality and fit is no better than the FS. Both have amazing build quality but when you sit inside the Phantom or stand next to the Mulsanne the experience is completely different. So sorry, the Ghost looks terrific but don't let the flashy theatrics of sinister LEDs and the silver painted bonnet fool you into thinking that it's anything more than a repackaged F01 designed to generate some easy revenue for RR like the FS has done for VAG.


The only reason the Ghost is more expensive than the FS is due to economics. Production of the Roller is limited to 2,500 cars a year(correct me if I'm wrong) while CGT, FS and CGTC production combined, tops at 7,000-9,000 cars every year. Go and contrast the cars yourself and you'll see that they are the same breed of cars.

Sans a silver bonnet the Ghost look very plain:

And yeah, check out how ordinary the paint work is compared with the surreal one on the Mulsanne.

View attachment 8a1789c69664edebd7ed5547a9dae6ba.jpg

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Bentley today announced more details of its all-new flagship sedan, the 2011 Mulsanne, which is set to go on sale across the nation in the fall of 2010. Production of the car, however, will commence at the automaker’s facility in Crewe, England this spring and already customer interest has been exceeding the original targets Bentley had planned.

That’s because the new Mulsanne has already been showcased to more than 1,000 customers in both Crewe and during an exclusive seven-city U.S. tour earlier this year. There’s also the fact that the new Mulsanne, which will compete with the Rolls-Royce Phantom, will be priced from $285,000 (excluding taxes and delivery charges), undercutting its rival by almost $70,000. For the money, Bentley will be offering customers a palette of 114 paint colors, 21 carpet colors, nine wood veneers and 24 interior leather hides. In fact, with more standard leather and wood veneer than any other Bentley in the modern era, the Mulsanne will take nine weeks to build.

All models come with a 6.75-liter V-8 engine that’s good for 505 horsepower and a massive 752 pound-feet of torque, the latter delivered at just 1,800 rpm. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission equipped with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. Technology also abounds inside, including a multimedia system with a 40 GB hard disc drive that incorporates the satellite navigation, audio/video, personal data, telephone, 8 inch touchscreen display and Bluetooth connectivity. A 14-speaker stereo system is fitted as standard but a 20-speaker Naim system is offered as an option.

- 2011 Bentley Mulsanne Priced From $285,000 - MotorAuthority

 

[Potential]

And yeah, check out how ordinary the paint work is compared with the surreal one on the Mulsanne.

View attachment 8a1789c69664edebd7ed5547a9dae6ba.jpg

Based on photos? Are you kidding me!

 

[JasonR]

The only reason the Ghost is more expensive than the FS is due to economics. Production of the Roller is limited to 2,500 cars a year(correct me if I'm wrong) while CGT, FS and CGTC production combined, tops at 7,000-9,000 cars every year. Go and contrast the cars yourself and you'll see that they are the same breed of cars.

Sans a silver bonnet the Ghost look very plain:

And yeah, check out how ordinary the paint work is compared with the surreal one on the Mulsanne.

View attachment 8a1789c69664edebd7ed5547a9dae6ba.jpg

The Ghost seems like a pimped/modified Chrysler 300 on that particular pic...

Let's face it the Mulsanne is definetly above the Ghost. The Mulsanne, as they said in the teasers, is unmistakably a Bentley. At first, I liked the it. Now I'm in love. I see myself coming just to see the picture threat or looking for pics online..it has become my secret crush

 

[NarutoRamen]

Relatively speaking, this is not a bad price. Especially since it's sitting in between Ghost and Phantom.

 

[Sunny]

And yeah, check out how ordinary the paint work is compared with the surreal one on the Mulsanne.

View attachment 8a1789c69664edebd7ed5547a9dae6ba.jpg

That is a new low even for a serial bull shitter like you. Hmmm, let me give this technique of crappy pic vs good pic to make a fictitious point a test drive -

Ah, it works, sweet, thanks.

 

[EnI]

They are not.

I was taking about driving experience, and character, of course. Both being more driver's cars. As much as RR can be a driver's car - but agility & performance wise & driving experience Ghost & Mulsanne are much closer than Mulsanne & Phantom.

So, if someone's picking a car for a daily drive isn't that much of a difference - but it is one in styling. RR being modern with simple styling - with art deco retro interior, Bentley is still more old-stylish in it's essence (for the old-money guys or the ones who like neoclassic stiles) - with now some modern touches.

And sure your preference for old-style designs & stuff gives you away when talking about cars - it's obvious you prefer any old-style neoclass over modern stuff. But that doesn't make modern stuff worse & of less quality. Just because you like the old style better. C'mon.

And talking about Ghost materials & fit&finish being on FS level? C'mon.