Mulsanne [Official] Bentley Mulsanne

[EnI]

I would hardly describe Mulsanne as "power of simplicity", clean, without decorative elements. Mot even on the outside. It does look younger & much more dynamic than boxy & uberserious Phantom.

Sure "flame-surfacing" - sharp creases, convex-concave panel play - make it look more trendy & up-to-date. So do the LEDs in headlghts - something Phantom is still missing out (compared to Coupe, Drophead & Ghost). That makes Phantom a bit old-fashioned & a bit clumsy appearance. Yet the design is quite clean - yet formal - with all the angular & horizontal lines.

Yes, it looks awkward to drive a Phantom. That's a car for being driven in - in the back bench. While Mulsanne can still be driver's car. While being driven in is sure an excellent experience yet far from special as the ride in a Phantom.

I guess these two cars are just too different in character. Sure people with money will buy one or another (or both) also just as a bragging factor, or to show status.

Therefore I'm claiming Mulsanne character is more similar to the Ghost - the Rolls that can be driven as a daily car, and offering an excellent ride in the backseat. Even the Mulsanne backseat ride experience - I dare to say based on seen rear cabin layout - is similar to the Ghost than to the one in a Phantom. But let's wait to checkout ourselves ore wait for some media reporst. I hope some Mulsanne vs Ghost comparisons will be available.

Regarding simple design - simple lines, no overdesign, no overdecoration: IMO RR Ghost much more & better communicate simplicity than the Mulsanne.

Which one is more interesting & appealing to the crowd? Bentley for sure - due to more conventionality. Eg. quite some people have troubles with formal RR lines & ubermassive truck-like appearence. Not to mention the suicide doors (especially the front ones on Phantom Coupe / Drophead) - quite some people find it weird & too unconventional.

 

[Centurion]

Yes, it looks awkward to drive a Phantom. That's a car for being driven in - in the back bench. While Mulsanne can still be driver's car. While being driven in is sure an excellent experience yet far from special as the ride in a Phantom.

VAG have chosen the right size for the car. The Arnage's biggest shortcoming in relation to the Phantom was size. Some would even argue that the Flying Spur was a better purschase due to it's more accomodating cabin. The Mulsanne is not a drivers car like the Ghost, but yet it is not too clumbsy for a casual drive. Though I can't image anyone drying to use it a full day trying to pilot the car into a free parking slot between two cars.

Before you proclaim the Phantom superior in the category of interiors, you should be aware that this is just the "standard" Mulsanne. We shall soon see the LWB version along with quilted leather on the doors along and crazy backseat options.

What Bentley have presented so far is just a starter to the six course buffett of Mulsanne branded Brietling watches, exotic exterior colours and wood trims. Oh yes. It's about to get very special. Here is the EWB version in mule form:

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Imagine RR coming out with safe reinterpretation of Silver Seraph in 2003 ...

Oh how I WISH they did.



The last true Rolls Royce

Bentley on the other hand stuck to the original formula....

 

[EnI]

Luw, it's not all about size. Ask girls.

Seriously: Phantom has another important difference - higher sitting position. Especially in the rear, when passengers sit higher / above the driver & front passenger level. Same case in Ghost. Something reminiscent from the early RR cars. Not to mention suicide rear doors with almost 90 degree opening angle - and this arrangement also contributes to special rear sitting atmosphere since door cutlines are vertical. It's the sitting arrangement that makes Phantom special, not the size.


HoH, as you can see the Silver Seraph interior is something Bentley have inherited for their models. Check out Arnage & Mulsanne cabin - the layout is VERY similar to Silver Seraph. While RR cars now feature interior inspired by much older RR cars.

 

[Centurion]

It's the sitting arrangement that makes Phantom special, not the size.

So by that logical, the Pope must have the ultimate luxury car then?

Yes the Phantom has plenty of cool features like the built-in umbrella, button for closing the doors, the suicide doors, stadium seating and the monumental radiator grille. Killer gadgets, amazing car. But a word you're forgetting is discretion which is what the Rollers do not offer.

 

[EnI]

But a word you're forgetting is discretion which is what the Rollers do not offer.

C'mon, nor does the Mulsanne. The car is hardly discrete. Conventional yes, discrete no.

 

[Centurion]

C'mon, nor does the Mulsanne. The car is hardly discrete. Conventional yes, discrete no.

Sure not discrete in the normal sense but much more so than buckingham-palace-on-wheels.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

While RR cars now feature interior inspired by much older RR cars.

You may be right, but can you show some examples?



The Boss is back! Interesting to see the fog lights at the bottom. I guess this maybe the T model or maybe just one with the fog light option? Looks outstanding in black.

 

[EnI]

You may be right, but can you show some examples?

Eg. Silver Cloud I from 1955:

 

[LaArtist]

 

[LaArtist]

 

[Potential]

Really starting to like the exterior. Looks like a well cut Hugo Boss suit. The interior on the other hand it looking less pleasing each time I see images of it. I have yet to the interior with a colour combination that isn't tasteless so there is certainly hope...

 

[Centurion]

I find the interior combo super disgusting too. Here's something to wash away your distaste:

 

[Potential]

That wood trim reminds me of cheap wood chip board, so still not doing it for me. I want to see black interior with a strong, dark stain wood trim. Then we could be in business. Not sold on the design of the interior at the moment either.

 

[Giannis]

Just red this quote from Pischetsrieder, dating back in 1998 when he "won" the Rolls-Royce battle from Piech:

You can either use this brand as an icon [Rolls Royce], sticking to a very high price and a very limited volume,or you can exploit it, with the risk that in 20 years it won't be worth any more than it is today. That is what VW is going to do [with Bentley]. They will go for a 10,000 unit volume. Our strategy is to keep Rolls as an icon and limit sales to 1,000 units a year. What we can do is exploit the identity of Rolls for the sake of the BMW brand so it can build cars that might compete in a higher price segment with Bentley.

It appears that Herr Bernd was so right... And then he succeeded Piech. Life is full of surprises

 

[Centurion]

VAG's icon is Bugatti.

 

[EnI]

It appears that Herr Bernd was so right... And then he succeeded Piech. Life is full of surprises

An as VAG CEO he did exactly what he had announced: pushed Bentley sales volumes into the sky.

 

[Giannis]

VAG's icon is Bugatti.

The problem with Bugatti is that it's there only because Piech wanted to prove himself, and prove that he (VW) can make a 400km/h supercar! The proof is that it's official, not just rumors, that VW looses money with every Veyron they sell.

But, put that aside, the Bugatti brand, or the Veyron (pretty much the same thing) is only there now, for marketing purposes, and not to make money. For VAG, the money maker is Bentley! VAG wants to be the No1 car manufacturer in the world, so amongst others, they have to beat MB and BMW and become the No1 luxury car maker, and Bugatti is just a way of driving the VAG brands higher in consumers' eyes.

So, as Pischetsrieder wisely said, VAG exploits Bentley to make tons of money, which is a risk, considering the value of the brand in 20 years. Yes, they make tons of money. No, they are not as exclusive, nor as ultimate form of luxury, as Rolls is. The key difference being Volume Sales...

So the Mulsanne is not a direct hit neither on the Phantom, nor on the Ghost. It's not as exclusive (read expensive) as the Phantom, but tries to earn the "a more exclusive car than a entry level Rolls (Ghost) is" with it's price!

IMO, VAG kind of ruined Bentley with the introduction of the Continental Series. Yes, it's a nice car, but it's too mass market for the Bentley name to handle. Therefore Bentley became another typical VAG brand, as it's now compromised to become relative mass market.

Because in this segment, it doesn't matter the absolute sales volume, but the relative sales volume.

 

[Centurion]

The problem with Bugatti is that it's there only because Piech wanted to prove himself, and prove that he (VW) can make a 400km/h supercar! The proof is that it's official, not just rumors, that VW looses money with every Veyron they sell.

It's not really a problem because their objective with Bugatti is not to earn money, they have Bentley for that. Don't hold your breath over RR as they will not be mixing pleasure with business using the Ghost which has been developed to increase revenue and profitability of the RR brand. BMW AG are taking lessons from VAG but not following the trail all the way be jacking up production to over 10,000 cars.

The Mulsanne is very much a Phantom competitor and it is very evident in oppulent areas of London. It's very evident that the owners of a Phantom or Arnage can afford either but that it comes down a matter of personality. The introvert hedge fund CEO opts for the Bentley while the extrovert and outgoing realestate tycoon settle for a Phantom. Quality-wise the Mulsanne and Phantom are as uncompromised as it gets, so in that respect you wouldn't notice any difference between them.

Basically like choosing between a Cadillac Escalde and a Hummer H2.

 

[Deleted member 25]

If the Mulsanne is an absolut equal to the phantom then why is it significantely cheaper than the Rolls ? Either the car is simply not on par (not competing in the same segment) or the Bentley name isn't.