Mulsanne Report: Bentley Mulsanne Coupe And Convertible Planned

[HighestOfHigh]

Just as the Continental GT has its Flying Spur sedan and GTC convertible variants, Bentley’s upcoming 2011 Mulsanne sedan is expected to spawn its own two-door variants. The legacy started with cars like the Brooklands and Arnage Convertible, both of which are in desperate need for a replacement. The information comes from Bentley executive Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, who hinted at the possibility of a coupe and convertible Mulsanne. Eichhorn explained that the Mulsanne will reset the luxury car benchmark for years to come, so it’s understandable the company has such ambitious plans for the platform.

“With this car, we assessed the performance, craftsmanship and refinement of the Arnage--and enhanced it in every way. We have produced a car of the highest possible quality,” Eichhorn claimed. If a two door Mulsanne tickles your fancy, don’t hold your breath as the coupe and convertible variants are still several years away from launch. Power in the new coupe and convertible will almost certainly match that of the Mulsanne, which means a twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V-8 engine with a generous 505 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque on tap.

Looks like the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe and Drophead will soon have some competition. The story doesn't end there as Rolls-Royce is also expected to launch new coupe and convertible variants of the new 2010 Ghost sedan, which you can read about here.


- Report: Bentley Mulsanne Coupe And Convertible Planned - MotorAuthority

 

[Centurion]

Captain obvious calls...

 

[DaSilva]

Cab for me and my family please

 

[Merc1]

Stunning news.....lol.

Seriously though I can't wait to see them. I want a little more old-world character for the Coupe as the Brooklands has.


M

 

[HighestOfHigh]

REPORT: Bentley Mulsanne to spawn coupe and convertible to replace Brooklands and Azu

Bentley works on a two-tier system, with its entire product line-up based on a pair of platforms. At one end you've got the Continental family, including the GT coupe, GTC convertible and Flying Spur sedan. At the other sits the Arnage sedan, Azure convertible and Brooklands coupe (pictured above). Its separated step-sister Rolls-Royce is gearing up to follow the same formula with the Phantom range and the new Ghost, but with the introduction of the new Mulsanne, Bentley is expected to comprehensively shake up its top-tier offerings.

According to reports and substantiated by plain old logic, Bentley is planning to replace the Brooklands and Azure models with a new coupe and convertible to be based on the Mulsanne. That means that the Vickers-era platform will finally be retired, with the Mulsanne's more advanced chassis being put to further use for a pair of two-door models. No word on when the new Brooklands and Azure will debut, or for that matter what nameplate they'll carry, but expect them to evoke Bentley's golden racing era when they do.


- REPORT: Bentley Mulsanne to spawn coupe and convertible to replace Brooklands and Azure — Autoblog

 

[Rainer271]

Bentley Mulsanne Speed Convertible Rendered into Reality

Now that the Paris Motor Show has offered us the Speed particle that turns the Bentley Mulsanne into the torque-iest sedan in the world, we’re here to bring you a rather interesting Bentley thought - how about a Mulsanne Convertible Speed?

Before any of you start asking questions on the Mulsanne Convertible, we’ll remind you the project is back on track, as confirmed by Bentley’s CEO earlier this fall.

As for elegantly brutish Speed moniker, we’d be lying if we said we expect this to land on the drop-top. Still, let’s take a few moments to enjoy the idea.

Hiding behind the long hood of the Mulsanne Speed (sedan), sits Bentley’s good old 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8. The six and three quarters vee eight is probably the most longevive performance engine still on the market, with Crewe’s engineers recently taking the unit to 530 hp, which is 25 hp extra compared to the version that powers the standard Mulsanne.

By storm. This is how the 811 lb-ft (1,100) Nm took us when Bentley launched the Speed. In the typical fashion of the brand, the torque is on tap from 1,750 rpm. There are other engines on the market capable of passing the 1,000 Nm barrier (AMG fans certainly know what we mean), but very few actually do it, since this puts an incredible strain on the transmission. Well, Bentley worked on their implementation of the ZF 8-Speed auto and managed to cope with the extra twist.

There’s also an S driving mode that keeps the V8 above 2,000 rpm, which means those turbos are always ready to serve their master, or, better said, to please a chauffeur to an extent he or she couldn’t have imagined.

Bentley Mulsanne Convertible (minus the “Speed”) is the works

Now that Wolfgang Dürheimer is back at Bentley’s controls, the CEO has restarted the plans to bring the Mulsanne Convertible to the market - the project had been... put on an indefinite hold by Wolfgang Schreiber, the man who led the Flying B company while Dürheimer took care of other VW Group business (read: Audi).

Given Bentley’s history, the open-top behemoth should be called Azure, but don’t expect it to arrive all that soon. Bentley has an SUV to launch, remember?

 

[KiwiRob]

I see your point Rob but I was thinking about a model like the old Arnage Limousine

I am surprised that there isn't a Mulliner LWB Mulsanne, I would have expected that by now. I'm also wondering where this car got to, Bentely showed this at Pebble Beach in 2012, then it dissappeared.

 

[kingjr9000]

I am surprised that there isn't a Mulliner LWB Mulsanne, I would have expected that by now. I'm also wondering where this car got to, Bentely showed this at Pebble Beach in 2012, then it dissappeared.

I think I read somewhere that they're talking about bringing it back for production.

 

[kingjr9000]

See:

Bentley Grand Convertible concept unveiled, could go into production

Bentley Grand Convertible concept

Features a 6.75-liter V8 engine with 530 bhp (395 kW)
Bentley has unveiled the stunning Grand Convertible concept, ahead of its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Designed to preview the next-generation Azure, the Grand Convertible is being billed as the "ultimate expression of British automotive luxury" and the "most sophisticated open-top car ever created by Bentley."

Since the concept is essentially a Mulsanne convertible, it features a familiar design but loses two doors and adopts a retractable soft top. The car also has a Sequin Blue exterior with “liquid metal” accents on the hood and windscreen frame.

The upscale styling continues in the cabin as there's diamond quilted leather seats, Sequin Blue accent stitching and acres of wood trim. The convertible also has a beautiful Burr Walnut tonneau cover with the "largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley."

Power is provided by a 6.75-liter V8 engine that develops 530 bhp (395 kW) and 811 lb-ft (1,100 Nm) of torque. The company declined to release detailed specifications but noted the convertible will have "effortless performance to match its unparalleled style."

In a statement, Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer said “We are eagerly awaiting the response of our customers to this car. We will ensure that this car - if it reaches the roads – will be a highly exclusive, extremely limited collector’s piece.”

 

[martinbo]

Look at the Rolls Royce aping contrast tone bonnet treatment.

 

[SDNR]

Look at the Rolls Royce aping contrast tone bonnet treatment.

I agree.

actually (and I can't believe I'm thinking this) it's all a bit underwhelming. Not much imagination went on here ....it pretty much looks like a case of "meet the new Azur, same as the old Azur".

I don't know why they decided to so obviously imitate the Phantom's bonnet, A-pillar, and wooden roof compartment cover.

One thing I would have liked to have seen is more comfortable rear seats ......similar to the ones in the Brooklands.

 

[SCOTT27]

I agree.

actually (and I can't believe I'm thinking this) it's all a bit underwhelming. Not much imagination went on here ....it pretty much looks like a case of "meet the new Azur, same as the old Azur".

I don't know why they decided to so obviously imitate the Phantom's bonnet, A-pillar, and wooden roof compartment cover.

One thing I would have liked to have seen is more comfortable rear seats ......similar to the ones in the Brooklands.

Its almost like the RR colour Metropolitan Blue.
Some Bentleys seem to be lacking in the sense of occasion within their interiors without minor subtle "British" additions
You could think you are in a high cost Audi if you remove the badges.

 

[KiwiRob]

About time

 

[KiwiRob]

It looks production ready to me.

 

[Star&Car]

^Yes,it is already two years old, at 2012 Pebble Beach they had already showed it to a few selected VIPs in private.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I am surprised that there isn't a Mulliner LWB Mulsanne, I would have expected that by now. I'm also wondering where this car got to, Bentely showed this at Pebble Beach in 2012, then it dissappeared.

I remember reading at either the time of the Mully's release or a little bit before that that they were not going to pursue an EWB. They had developed the Mully so it was sized between an EWB and SWB Phantom, thus they wouldn't spend any more money developing and producing an EWB Mulsanne.

Sidenote: why do I remember such arbitrary info yet struggle with more relevant, important stuff in my life?

As for the convertible itself...I hate the name. I wish it was something more evocative. The convertible itself provides no surprises as much I thought it'd ape the Phantom DHC, but instead of using teak, they when with burl walnut for the tonneau. Especially with the revised Ghost out, the Mully has fallen a bit out of favor with me.

 

[Merc1]

Time to just produce it then. Now bring on the Brooklands replacement.

M

 

[KiwiRob]

I remember reading at either the time of the Mully's release or a little bit before that that they were not going to pursue an EWB. They had developed the Mully so it was sized between an EWB and SWB Phantom, thus they wouldn't spend any more money developing and producing an EWB Mulsanne.

Sidenote: why do I remember such arbitrary info yet struggle with more relevant, important stuff in my life?

As for the convertible itself...I hate the name. I wish it was something more evocative. The convertible itself provides no surprises as much I thought it'd ape the Phantom DHC, but instead of using teak, they when with burl walnut for the tonneau. Especially with the revised Ghost out, the Mully has fallen a bit out of favor with me.

They could have a LWB Mulsanne, isn't they why they have the Mulliner Park Ward bespoke department, surely these guys could knock one up if requested.

As for the name I think it will be called Azure when launched and the coupe if it comes will be the Brooklands.

 

[EnI]

Rather unimpressive.