Echoing the Bentley S -Type of the 1950s, the Mulsanne features a bold frontal design dominated by the traditional Bentley matrix grille and highly prominent, classic round inner headlamps with chrome surrounds, flanked by two, smaller outboard lamp clusters, all featuring the latest in lighting technology.
The iconic ‘Flying B’ retractable radiator mascot is available as an option.
The long hood, short front overhang and long rear overhang help to convey a sense of power and movement, reinforced by muscular haunches and sharply sculptured lines which flow gracefully from the front wings to the rear.
Design Director Dirk van Braeckel explains the inspiration behind the Mulsanne’s distinctive appearance: “The opportunity to design a new flagship Bentley is something afforded to very few designers.
"The team set out to create a sculpted form that blended classic Bentley heritage cues with modern lines that allow the marque to stride confidently into the 21st century.”
The body is produced in a new manufacturing facility at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe where traditional metalworking skills are still used extensively during the nine-week build process.
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.
The complex form of the aluminium front wings, impossible to achieve with normal pressing techniques, is created using superforming, a technology usually reserved for the aerospace industry. This also makes the wings both lighter, stiffer and provides superb surface definition.
New construction techniques meant the designers could also incorporate details such as the ‘floating’ elliptical LED tail lights, which uniquely echo the shape of the exhaust tailpipes.
To accentuate the beauty of the bodywork, the Mulsanne features ‘brightware’ exclusively in polished stainless steel, including sill treadplates and matrix grilles. Bentley is the only manufacturer in the world to do this.
The sporting character of the Mulsanne is reinforced by front wing vents and large diameter tailpipe finishers.
Bentley customers have a world of infinite choice when commissioning their cars.
There are 114 paint colours in the range that include everything from unusual heritage colours, special satin and pearlescent finishes and duo-tone combinations. Unique colours can exactly match a customer’s vision and taste.
Interior
The upper dashboard houses an 8-inch multimedia screen, positioned unobtrusively behind an electrically operated veneered door, while below sits a stylish, leather-lined MP3-player stowage drawer.
A state-of-the-art 14-speaker audio system with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and 6-CD autochanger is provided as standard while the Naim for Bentley premium audio system may be specified as an option.
It provides customers with the world’s most powerful 2200 Watt in-car amplifier, eight dedicated DSP modes and 20 custom-made speakers, delivering an unparalleled sound quality.
The keyless system operates with the stainless steel door handles which incorporate touch points to initiate communication with the key for verification and entry.
The Mulsanne also features keyless start, having a stop/start button on the centre console.
The Bentley interior design team has continued to develop and evolve the luxurious interiors based on a large-scale, research programme to identify the classic signature features that have defined Bentleys from the 1920s to the present day.
The use of wood and leather hides has increased significantly to create an even more refined and luxurious cabin. While classic design features such as bulls-eye air vents (now also fitted in the rear compartment), mirror-matched wood veneers, leather hides and hand-finished stainless steel are retained, they are mixed with new touches such as glass switches.
The entire cabin is encased within a ‘ring of wood’ waistrail with an unbroken panel of wood gracing the Mulsanne’s dashboard.
Inverted dial needles within the instrument cluster are evocative of early Bentleys while the entire dashboard and console design is a subtle reminder of the Bentley wings motif.
Customers may select from an extensive range of premium quality veneers, unbleached for a natural appearance, and two marquetry options: picture frame and contemporary crossbanding.
Following detailed customer feedback, a traditional tanning process has been re-instated to match the rich, worn leather smell that is so evocative of vintage Bentleys. Only a very few hide suppliers worldwide have the capability to do this.
The carpet of the Mulsanne is unique to Bentley, its increased fibre depth, density and feel enhancing cabin quality. It is available in a range of colours to complement each individual hide. Pure wool, deep pile Wilton-weave over mats add a further touch of comfort and luxury.
These materials are fashioned by craftsmen and women with up to 40 years’ experience. Each steering wheel, for example, can take 15 hours to hand-stitch (and three times longer if the customer opts for cross-stitching).
Stainless steel brightware gleams so perfectly thanks to an intensive 10-hour finishing process. A wood veneer takes two weeks to turn from a rough root ball into a full set of mirror-matched, fine-polished leaves.
Technical Features
In the new Mulsanne, the 6¾-litre V8 develops 512 PS (505 bhp/377 kW) while the massive torque (1020 Nm / 752 lb ft) is now delivered even earlier at 1800 rev/min.
The pioneering use of these two technologies in combination allows the Mulsanne’s engine management system not only to adjust the V8’s breathing for improved engine idle quality and torque delivery, but also to close the valves of four of the eight cylinders for maximum fuel economy when cruising.
New lightweight componentry including pistons, connecting rods and forged crankshaft reduce reciprocating mass and internal friction for improved engine response.
To achieve a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2. emissions, the Mulsanne V8 sees the introduction of two new control systems: cam phasing and, a first for the ultra-luxury sector, variable displacement.
The unit is coupled with the new eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted gearshift.
A new air suspension system with continuously variable dampers creates an even more refined and comfortable ride at lower speeds, yet can reduce the Mulsanne’s ride height automatically at high speeds to reduce lift and improve aerodynamic stability.
Provisional technical Specification
Engine
- Type: Twin-turbocharged V8
- Installation: Front, longitudinal, rear-wheel drive
- Construction: Alloy heads and block
- Capacity: 6750cc
- Power: 512PS / 505bhp / 377kW
- Torque: 1020Nm / 752 lb ft
Transmission
- Type: Rear-wheel-drive
- Gearbox: ZF 8-Speed automatic
Body & Chassis
- Length: 5562mm (219.49in)
- Width: 1926mm (75.80in)
- Height: 1526mm (60.01in)
- Wheelbase: 3266mm (128.60in)
- Front Track: 1605mm (63.20in)
- Rear Track: 1651mm (65.00in)
- Wheels / tyres (standard): 9J x 20in. with 265/45 ZR 20 tyres
- (option): 9J x 21in. with 265/40 ZR 21 tyres
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