Founder W.O. Bentley wanted to create a car at the pinnacle of 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.
Mulsanne, the current top-of-line Bentley, is everything the name sounds like it is. Like the word Bentley, it is a relatively uncomplicated word comprising of only two syllables, but when properly uttered it sounds elegant and expensive.
It’s massive, presumptuous, majestic, and a marvel to behold. This car makes no excuses for being what it is. In fact, it does quite the contrary with one of the longest hoods we’ve ever seen. This bonnet serves as a private carport to the massive 6.75L twin-turbocharged V8. Unlike the rest of the car, it makes itself fairly invisible despite putting out 505 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque.
It does take a whack of power to make the stunning 21” wheels rotate. Each and every foot-pound of torque does well against the car’s near 5,700-lb (2,585-kg) weight. The luxury liner will reach 100 km/h in a blink over 5 seconds and cruise all the way to a top speed of 296 km/h, but you’d never know it. And the 8-speed automatic transmission? What transmission?
On the subject of pricing, the Mulsanne isn’t cheap and you know how it goes: “If you have to ask…” But since you haven’t, we’ll tell you. Base price for the 2012 Mulsanne is $360,000, without options. That’s correct: Your current mortgaged house value in just about any respectable suburban town.
