W.O. Bentley’s vision is burning bright
THE PINNACLE OF BRITISH MOTORING.
Something large, fast, refined and comfortable. This philosophy resonates deeply at Bentley and has, over time, created a legacy that embodies all of these characteristics: record-breaking feats, daring exploits and a host of exquisitely handcrafted and beautifully engineered cars. Now, more than 90 years later, the all-new flagship Bentley Mulsanne embodies W.O Bentley’s passion. It is a powerful and elegant driver’s car like nothing else on the road.
The all-new Bentley Mulsanne
DESIGNING A GRAND CAR THAT LOOKS POWERFUL, YET AGILE IS NO EASY TASK.
Yet this is precisely what has been achieved with the Bentley Mulsanne. Like a powerful athlete that is also a swift and graceful runner, it captures a unique fusion of power, elegance and sporting style.
The entire body is sculpted to create rich design contrasts. It appears to be solid, as if sculpted from a single block, yet simultaneously graceful and elegant. Solid yet sleek. Classic yet modern. The design is made to accommodate customised materials, not to reduce their usage. For example, the hand brazing of different thicknesses of steel is required to create that exclusive, seamless, flush-fit feeling. Imagine, for example, that it takes a full 45 minutes to braze one lengthy section of metal behind the rear doors.
By taking these extra steps, Bentley craftspeople can create a sleek work of art that further accentuates those classic British Bentley proportions: Sweeping lines flow into sporting, powerful haunches, hinting at capability in reserve. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No
Move up closer to the Bentley Mulsanne and you’ll recognise a familiar face, yet something is different. The large round LED headlamps are set closer to the grille while the running lights are staggered, echoing the configuration favoured on our 8 Litre car of 1930. “To achieve this look, we spent a lot of time studying iconic Bentleys over time – the Bentley 8 Litre, Flying Spur of the 1950s, Brooklands, Azure and Arnage were all touch points,” says Chief Exterior Designer Raul Pires. “We wanted a more sporting and distinctive Bentley look.”
Fingertip feeling
IN A BENTLEY, THE SENSES ARE TEASED BY THE USE OF CONTRASTING MATERIALS.
Mirror finished brightware is artfully mixed with tactile knurling. Classic tones are set off by daring luxury accent colours. This is also used to help guide the driver – one touch to controls. Let your fingers run over the soft leather, feel the stitching.
That authentic Bentley feel of the new Mulsanne is created through the skills of our craftspeople in Crewe. We use the highest quality wood veneers, leather hides and solid stainless steel brightware, yet we start where others stop. Wriggle your feet into the deeper pile carpets, which we specially created to offer an unparalleled level of comfort. To bring out a richer leather smell, we reverted to a traditional tanning process. We are still even using ancient cabinet-making techniques—our cross-banding is still cut by hand and we are the only car maker to use ‘mirror matching’ when applying veneer.
The Mulsanne also retains classic Bentley heritage and styling cues such as its bullseye air vents and mixes them with the latest in 21st-century craftsmanship. A solid ‘ring of wood’ encases the entire cabin, drawing the occupants into unparalleled surroundings, while all-new glass-like switchgear is inspired by the classic Bentley interiors of yesteryear. But don’t be deceived by this classic look. Beneath the surface you’ll find the best technology available, from advanced electronic systems to four-zone air conditioning and state-of-the-art soundproofing. Music enthusiasts will love our latest premium audio system, designed exclusively for the Bentley Mulsanne by Naim®, a British company recognised by audiophiles as a world-class purveyor of specialist sound systems.
We encourage you to relish the sensuous refinement and comfort of the new Bentley Mulsanne. Look for the familiar, but be prepared to be surprised with new innovations. It’s all there to help you enjoy the definitive Bentley experience.
Engineering Passion
AT THE HEART OF EVERY CAR LIES A GREAT ENGINE.
So when creating the all-new Bentley Mulsanne, our engineers were presented with a unique opportunity: To design an all-new powertrain that would deliver the effortless performance expected of a grand Bentley, whilst retaining huge amounts of power in reserve.
While other powertrain configurations were considered by the Mulsanne engineers early on in the project, it became clear that the massive torque trademark of every grand Bentley could be best achieved with a V8 engine. And though the base configuration is similar to the engineering design classic first built in Crewe fifty years ago, the Mulsanne V8 has been completely redesigned to integrate the latest technologies.
The result? A remarkable 6 ¾-litre, 90-degree V8 engine, an all-new 505bhp engineering marvel that generates 1020Nm of torque. All the major building blocks of the engine are new and have been designed to optimise performance. They also contribute towards meeting three key objectives: maximising torque, refinement and efficiency. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in the introduction of two new electro-mechanical control systems: cam phasing and variable displacement. The pioneering use of these two technologies in combination allows the Mulsanne’s engine management system not only to actively adjust the V8’s breathing, but to effectively throttle back four of the cylinders entirely, independently of the others, when not required.
This ability to finely control the engine’s fuel-air intake and timing allows for the maximum availability of huge amounts of torque. At the same time, it ensures that the engine operates in as economical and refined a manner as possible when more relaxed motoring is the order of the day. Variable displacement also has a significant effect on the new engine’s fuel consumption thanks to its ability to idle four of the eight cylinders when cruising. This, in conjunction with the new eight-speed automatic transmission with quick-shift, reduces CO2 emissions and offers a potential 15 per cent saving in fuel compared to the previous V8.
Let us guide you through a world of infinite choice of colour
YOU’VE GOT A VISION OF A CAR THAT EXPRESSES YOUR PERSONALITY. PERFECTLY. IN EVERY DETAIL.
It might be an interior or exterior combination that’s subtle, yet glamorous. Or maybe you prefer a more sporty, eclectic look. Welcome to our everyday world. The beauty of choosing a Bentley is that you can be as fastidious as you like. Your individual dreams are our sole concern. No compromises.
The starting point in any Bentley commissioning process is choice. Lots of it. Step into the world of Bentley and you’ll find a huge selection of existing colours, hides, veneers and other standard options from which to choose. You may even want to complement these choices with premium options. Ultimately, your individual requirements may lead you to something even more rare or exclusive. This is where our Mulliner ‘bespoke’ craftspeople come in, adding their magic touch. Bespoke, which literally means made to order, is the ultimate level in the commissioning process. And while all Bentleys are unique, a Mulliner Bentley is the most personal expression of all.
“We once tried to calculate all the possible permutations of exterior colour, wheels, interior trim features, veneers, main hide and secondary hide,” recalls Melinda-June Jenkins, Head of Colour and Trim. “In the end we decided there were more than a billion possible variations.” This means that Crewe could produce its current output for something like 100,000 years without making two identical cars if it so chose.
The all-new Bentley Mulsanne will be offered with a choice of 24 hide colours and 28 standard paint colours. With the extended range the total comes to 114 paint colours. But all colours and options must work together in the best possible way to create a well-orchestrated statement that reflects our customers’ personalities. Our dealers are highly committed to guiding each and every customer in the commissioning process. We also encourage them to come and visit us in Crewe to gain a richer understanding. “Here, you will not only meet the people who will be creating your Bentley, but you’ll gain inspiration from the colour choices that others have made as you watch the cars make their progress down the production lines.”
“The choice is part of the pleasure,” Melinda declares. “The designers create the form. The engineers create the function. But only you – in close collaboration with our skilled craftspeople – can make a Bentley your own.”
We are the opposite of mass production
PERCHED ON THE CHESHIRE PLAIN, JUST SOUTH OF MANCHESTER, LIES THE TOWN OF CREWE, ENGLAND.
Perched on the Cheshire Plain, just south of Manchester, lies the town of Crewe, England. Population: 67,683 and home of Bentley Motors since 1946. Behind the red brick buildings of Pyms Lane lies an 80-acre site that uniquely combines traditional craftsmanship with the very latest manufacturing technology. All operations are literally under one roof. Here, more than 3,000 skilled individuals are busy at work crafting cars for some of the world’s most discerning individuals. Engineers, craftsmen and industrial designers work together in a unique and seamless way that is remarkable in today’s automotive industry.
In a mass-produced world, Bentley Motors represents the exact opposite: the last bastion of hand-built coachbuilding. Behind every stitch lies generations of knowledge and skill. Imagine that it takes more than two months to build a Bentley Mulsanne, of which more than 50 per cent involves handcraftsmanship. One of the secrets to this process is having an intimate knowledge of the materials’ properties and using them in the best possible way – something not always possible in mass production. So our cars are designed from the start with materials in mind – leather, wood, metal, composites and more.
The new Bentley Mulsanne is a brilliant celebration of this ongoing quest for quality and craftsmanship, with Crewe representing the centre of excellence. Here, some local families are now on to their third generation of service, with one in four people having been at Bentley for more than 20 years. Each of these individuals is not just passing down their knowledge of timeless skills, but a fierce sense of pride in their work. As a result, Bentley people are able to stay true to the soul of the brand, despite the complexity – from idea to final car. That is why “Made in Crewe” truly does stand for unparalleled quality and attention to detail – all in the quest to build the world’s most prestigious driver’s car.