HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
^A slightly longer version then the one I posted before.
^A slightly longer version then the one I posted before.
coolraoul
Torque Titan
Driver's window-switches panel is slightly ill-fitted, plasticky buttons, rear speakers covered by the front seats, too thin door armrest, boring design of the center-placed gauges, horrid and poorly integrated rear cender/can-holder, old-Audi-like squared mini-screen for the A/C, uninspiring door-panels, wood and carpet ending abruptly instead of being integrated in the design of the doorpanel, uninviting headrests, conventionally designed seats....
Hugely disappointing interior imho. Hugely.
Hugely disappointing interior imho. Hugely.
ree
Kraftwagen König
Especially compared to this:
That is important.
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
Well, I would caution that anything that's ill-fitting could be chalked up to this being a pre-production car. I think the switches are fine. One thing really irks me is the telematics and HVAC controls that are blatantly lifted off any run-of-the-mill Audi. That's all somewhat alright for the Continental series, but that's a big no-no for you flagship. And, I agree, the center-placed gauges impart nothing special like the arnage's....they should of put the temp/fuel gauge in front of the driver and put a oil and battery gauge in the center, or better yet, have all four in the center and have the oil and battery gauge higher up either on the side of the nav screen door, or integrated in the door. The thing is, it's not a bad interior, it's quite nice, but the cost-cutting and economies of scale are obvious. For something in this class, it should not be. Although, I may be about to attract the ire of the Bentley faithful, but the RR Ghost has done a pretty good job of utilizing the BMW parts-bin, but making it more bespoke in appearance.
All negativity aside, the exterior is growing on me. The only issue is the front...if the headlights did not look like a Gatling gun, I think it'd win me over quicker.
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
Speaking of the gatling arrangement of the LED projectile, Bentley has yet to publish photos of the car with the lights turned on. It must be quite a striking sights. I had a few issues with the front at first but they were all erased when I got to see the car in the metal last month.
The Mulsanne is one of the wonders of the auto industry, the exterior has been designed to perfection. If you're a Brooklands africando then the Mulsanne will have your jaw dropping. Without a question it has the best exterior design of any four door car. The grand length of the body has been immaculately beautified with imposing but yet soft contours. Roof hight is absolutely perfect -- low enough to gift the car with the "brick" shape we love so much in the Brooklands. It looks like a jewel and is an exceptionally well crafted car in these days of excessive designs. Dirk van Braeckel has done an flawless job designing a successor to the Arnage. Pictures cannot encapsulate the beauty of the Mulsanne only your eyes can. It will age very well and IMO is the best exterior designs since the DB9 was launched.
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
Wow, for you to say that its design comparable to the DB9 for flawlessness, then I can't wait to see it in person. Especially, since I think the DB9/DBS is just about perfect, and the Brooklands is great example of powerful understatement in design. I guess I'll have to drive up for the LA auto show this year and take a gander. (Well, not only the Mulsanne but the LFA, 458, the Ghost, new 911 turbo/GT3, Evora, XJ, Balboni, SLS...what else am I missing?)Speaking of the gatling arrangement of the LED projectile, Bentley has yet to publish photos of the car with the lights turned on. It must be quite a striking sights. I had a few issues with the front at first but they were all erased when I got to see the car in the metal last month.
The Mulsanne is one of the wonders of the auto industry, the exterior has been designed to perfection. If you're a Brooklands africando then the Mulsanne will have your jaw dropping. Without a question it has the best exterior design of any four door car. The grand length of the body has been immaculately beautified with imposing but yet soft contours. Roof hight is absolutely perfect -- low enough to gift the car with the "brick" shape we love so much in the Brooklands. It looks like a jewel and is an exceptionally well crafted car in these days of excessive designs. Dirk van Braeckel has done an flawless job designing a successor to the Arnage. Pictures cannot encapsulate the beauty of the Mulsanne only your eyes can. It will age very well and IMO is the best exterior designs since the DB9 was launched.
Speaking of the Ghost, Centurion, how would you compare that to the Mulsanne, especially with regards to the interior?
Also, is that van Braeckel in the attached pic?
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
Yes, that is van Braeckel in the photo.
My feelings about the Ghost are mixed. Although I was daunted by how striking it looks in purple, its appearance falls flat in colours like white. RR have done an admirable job shrinking the Phantom into a slimmer and fresher package. That is a part of problem though, the Ghost walks in the shadow of the Phantom. It's an attractive package non-the-less but does somewhat lack originality.
It is very easy to get captivated by the highly decorated interior of the Ghost and fend off the slightly antique looking Mulsanne dash is which is coupled by simpleton rear cabin. At first sight I was scratching my head over how cautious VAG have been in designing the Arnage interior and it's not until two a three weeks ago that the interior really came to me. It has been a case of poor choice of wood colour. The photograph below is that truly brought the pieces together for me. Many of the recent interiors we've seen by the likes of the Panamera, Ghost and F458 represent a new breed of excessively designed interior. There is no denying of their attractiveness, they are appealing. But the Mulsanne interior is one of the only recent designs which are not trying to be something. It features a well recognisable T-shaped layout, surrounded by handsome leather and paired with classic accessible black buttons.
Bentley are walking the path of simplicity and they are on the road to success. The Mulsanne was a major crowd pleaser at Frankfurt autoshow were many people were standing there mesmerising and admiring the powers of simplicity. I'm certain that the Mulsanne will win many fans.
My feelings about the Ghost are mixed. Although I was daunted by how striking it looks in purple, its appearance falls flat in colours like white. RR have done an admirable job shrinking the Phantom into a slimmer and fresher package. That is a part of problem though, the Ghost walks in the shadow of the Phantom. It's an attractive package non-the-less but does somewhat lack originality.
It is very easy to get captivated by the highly decorated interior of the Ghost and fend off the slightly antique looking Mulsanne dash is which is coupled by simpleton rear cabin. At first sight I was scratching my head over how cautious VAG have been in designing the Arnage interior and it's not until two a three weeks ago that the interior really came to me. It has been a case of poor choice of wood colour. The photograph below is that truly brought the pieces together for me. Many of the recent interiors we've seen by the likes of the Panamera, Ghost and F458 represent a new breed of excessively designed interior. There is no denying of their attractiveness, they are appealing. But the Mulsanne interior is one of the only recent designs which are not trying to be something. It features a well recognisable T-shaped layout, surrounded by handsome leather and paired with classic accessible black buttons.
Bentley are walking the path of simplicity and they are on the road to success. The Mulsanne was a major crowd pleaser at Frankfurt autoshow were many people were standing there mesmerising and admiring the powers of simplicity. I'm certain that the Mulsanne will win many fans.
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
^^^
I whole-heartedly agree that while the blue exterior in the Frankfurt showcar is pretty, the light wood (poplar?) in the interior was not doing it any favors. While I like how the simple dash layout gives way to a sense of elegance, i.e. where the wood in the dash meets the wood on the door trim, it's the little things that Bentley ought to have addressed in making this car something that is supposed to be treasured. By applying obvious Audi switchgear for the HVAC and infotainment unit, this, to me, is cost cutting. Take for example the steering wheel.....in the Ghost, you get the sense that it's based on a BMW product, but only after staring at it for a bit. Whereas in the Mulsanne, the steering wheel looks like a two-tone steering wheel, instantly you feel that it has been lifted from an A8.
Maybe when I see it in person, the interior quality will overwhelm me to a point where I'll forget these oversights, but I doubt it.
I whole-heartedly agree that while the blue exterior in the Frankfurt showcar is pretty, the light wood (poplar?) in the interior was not doing it any favors. While I like how the simple dash layout gives way to a sense of elegance, i.e. where the wood in the dash meets the wood on the door trim, it's the little things that Bentley ought to have addressed in making this car something that is supposed to be treasured. By applying obvious Audi switchgear for the HVAC and infotainment unit, this, to me, is cost cutting. Take for example the steering wheel.....in the Ghost, you get the sense that it's based on a BMW product, but only after staring at it for a bit. Whereas in the Mulsanne, the steering wheel looks like a two-tone steering wheel, instantly you feel that it has been lifted from an A8.
Maybe when I see it in person, the interior quality will overwhelm me to a point where I'll forget these oversights, but I doubt it.
Potential
Autobahn Adventurer
I was fortunate enough to view a Mulsanne in person yesterday (Saturday), a light blue colour with a cream interior. Exterior is a mess in my eyes compared to the near perfection of the previous model. It is an amalgamation of many different design languages into an intangible mess. The front attempts to be striking and purposeful and yet morphs into an entirely bland and emotionless side profile. The rear is a simply evolution of that design seen on the Continental series, an obvious attempt at family ties. The interior on the other hand is much better then in photo. I do not however, understand the colour schemes of a purple top dash and steering wheel and a blue leather covered gear level. I think the interior would look best in dark leather with a strong wood accent.
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
^ Mulsanne T ? 
Looks like fog lights at the bottom and I have yet to see a photo with the main headlights on.
Looks like fog lights at the bottom and I have yet to see a photo with the main headlights on.
LaArtist
Wunderkind of Wheels
^i think we must give a big up to VAG..
Talk about being a huge group of brands ( the largest)
And still give each one of them free hands to do whatever they want..
Ofcourse there is some component sharing across VAG..but what the heck they need to survive aswell..
They are doing a splendid job..
Just wait for the next bugatti,lambo,bentley,audis..
Everyone will be DISTINCT from eachother while under the same roof..
Talk about being a huge group of brands ( the largest)
And still give each one of them free hands to do whatever they want..
Ofcourse there is some component sharing across VAG..but what the heck they need to survive aswell..
They are doing a splendid job..
Just wait for the next bugatti,lambo,bentley,audis..
Everyone will be DISTINCT from eachother while under the same roof..
Shining Star
Chicane Challenger
This looks incredible. I can't believe how well of a job Bentley has done with this car.
Similar threads
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
