Bentley Mulsanne

Bentley Mulsanne
Name	Mulsanne
Manufacturer	Bentley Motors Limited
Production	1980–2020
Assembly	Crewe, Cheshire, England
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Engine	6.75 L V8 (various)
Predecessor	Bentley Eight
Successor	Bentley Flying Spur (later models)

Bentley Mulsanne The Bentley Mulsanne is a flagship luxury saloon produced by Bentley Motors from 1980 to 2020, positioned above the Bentley Eight and alongside models such as the Bentley Turbo R and Bentley Arnage. It combined bespoke coachbuilding traditions associated with Crewe and the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow lineage while competing with rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8. The car’s name references the Mulsanne Straight at the Circuit de la Sarthe, linking it to 24 Hours of Le Mans heritage celebrated by Bentley Motors’s historic entries.

History and Development

Development traces to engineering practices at Rolls-Royce Limited and later Rolls-Royce plc and Volkswagen Group's involvement after the 1998 acquisition by Volkswagen AG. Early Mulsanne generations evolved from platforms shared with the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and Silver Spur, reflecting design direction under chief engineers influenced by figures like Sir Henry Royce and Charles Rolls legacies. During the 1980s and 1990s adaptations included turbocharging programs linked with collaborations involving Cosworth engineers and design inputs from studios such as Pininfarina and Zagato-adjacent consultants. Corporate decisions at Vickers plc and later at Volkswagen Group and BMW (Volkswagen dispute) negotiations influenced production strategies, while regulatory frameworks in European Union markets and safety standards in United States shaped late-model revisions.

Design and Engineering

Exterior and interior design drew on cues from H. J. Mulliner coachbuilding traditions and the design language established by Kremer Racing and luxury ateliers. The Mulsanne employed hand-crafted wood veneers sourced from suppliers used by Bentley Continental GT programs, leather from tanneries that supplied to Hermès clients, and metalwork techniques akin to those used by Aston Martin coachbuilt specials. Engineering featured a long-wheelbase architecture influenced by Rolls-Royce Phantom packaging, with suspension systems using technology shared with Porsche-engineered dynamics in later variants and electronics integration referencing suppliers such as Bosch and ZF Friedrichshafen. Safety implementations aligned with testing regimes of Euro NCAP homologation practices and passive systems from TRW Automotive.

Models and Variants

Throughout its life the model range included standard-wheelbase and long-wheelbase saloons, performance-focused Turbo derivatives similar in concept to the Bentley Turbo R, and final-generation limited editions paralleling bespoke programs like those for the Bentley Continental GT3. Special coachbuilt examples echoed commissions by patrons similar to those who ordered bespoke cars from Hooper & Co. and Mulliner Park Ward. Corporate fleet and VIP editions were supplied to institutions resembling clients such as the British Royal Family, state delegations attending G7 summits, and celebrities following precedents set by owners like John Lennon and Elvis Presley for unique commissions.

Performance and Specifications

Powered primarily by the venerable 6.75-litre V8 developed in the era of Crewe engineering, later variants upgraded with turbocharging and intercooling technology reminiscent of systems used on Bentley Arnage T and tuned by firms with histories like Tickford and M-Sport. Transmission options evolved from GM-supplied automatics comparable to units in Cadillac models to bespoke ZF transmissions used in contemporaneous BMW flagship vehicles. Braking systems featured components from suppliers such as Brembo and chassis development referenced testing at tracks like Nürburgring and Circuit de la Sarthe. Fuel economy and emissions adaptations were driven by regulations from United States Environmental Protection Agency and European Commission directives, leading to revisions in engine management with suppliers like Siemens.

Production and Market Reception

Assembly in Crewe, Cheshire continued Bentley’s local manufacturing tradition, with production numbers influenced by global demand in markets including the United Kingdom, United States, China, United Arab Emirates, and Russia. Reviews from publications and outlets in the lineage of Autocar (magazine), Car and Driver, Top Gear, The Times, and The Guardian praised craftsmanship while critiquing weight and handling compared to rivals like the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. Sales cycles reflected luxury market trends observed by analysts at JATO Dynamics, IHS Markit, and consultants such as McKinsey & Company. Collector interest mirrored that for historic Bentley Blower and Bentley 4½ Litre models at auctions held by houses like Sotheby's, Bonhams, and RM Sotheby's.

Motorsport and Special Editions

Although primarily a luxury saloon, the Mulsanne nameplate was associated with motorsport through Bentley’s racing programs parallel to the Bentley Speed 8 Le Mans effort and the marque’s return to 24 Hours of Le Mans victories. Special editions commemorated racing heritage, with bespoke liveries and performance calibrations that evoked partnerships similar to those between Bentley Continental GT3 teams and endurance outfits such as Team Joest and Prodrive. Limited-run models and coachbuilt examples were commissioned by privateers and collectors in patterns similar to collaborations seen with Bentley Mulliner bespoke projects and special commissions sold at events like the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Category:Bentley vehicles