The Mulsanne and the New Mulsanne Speed the Meeting of Minds
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THE MULSANNE AND THE NEW MULSANNE SPEED The meeting of minds. They say that vision comes from within. And if there is one space perfectly designed to free your mind, it is the flagship of the Bentley range: the ultimate expression of performance and luxury, the Mulsanne. For the first time, however, there is a choice to be made – the Mulsanne or its more powerful new sibling, the Mulsanne Speed. Both cars offer peerless comfort, exquisitely hand- crafted to create an environment in which time on the road becomes time to think. So wherever you find yourself – day or night, dawn or dusk – your Mulsanne becomes a place to innovate. It is no surprise that the Mulsanne appeals to original thinkers; those for whom tomorrow comes a little earlier. Bentley asked a few of these remarkable people to share their individual vision. Although they come from many diverse walks of life – from art and politics to business and philanthropy – they share a passion to change the world. Learn more about these visionaries and their journeys in the Mulsanne, at MulsanneVisionaries.com 2 3 A glorious history of refusing to compromise. Elegance and power might not seem natural partners. along the car’s sleek exterior, can be traced back Most manufacturers strive to deliver one; the to the iconic R-Type Continental of 1952. Today, combination of both is rare indeed. Yet it has been the however, it is a superformed aluminium curve that hallmark of Bentley for 95 years. creates the impression of a bodyshell hewn from solid metal. Throughout the decades, there has always been one car that has stood above the rest. One car This is a car built for luxury, for power, for speed to set the standard in automotive design and craft. and for grandeur. Crafted with respect for what Today, it is the Bentley Mulsanne. Its provenance makes Bentley great and a relentless desire for what is clear at first glance. The powerline, rising in a lies ahead, the Mulsanne represents the heart and sweeping arc from the front wheel arch and back soul of Bentley in one incredible car. 4 5 THE MULSANNE SPEED Introducing the Mulsanne Speed. Presence and purpose – neither can be faked. On the road, the new Mulsanne Speed displays both: a brooding presence and an intense purpose. Its name, appearance and uncompromising character resoundingly proclaim the Mulsanne Speed as a new pinnacle. It is the most dynamic, most exquisite combination of the powerful luxury for which Bentley stands. 9 Power with potential. Beneath the bonnet lies Bentley’s newly re-engineered 63/4 litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Boosting acceleration, power and torque, it propels the new Mulsanne Speed to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds (100 km/h in 4.9 seconds) and on to a phenomenal top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h). Image: detail Building on the effortless performance that has always characterised the Mulsanne, the Mulsanne Speed offers control and driver confidence combined with optimised Sport settings for the throttle, suspension and steering. But it is in the field of efficiency where it could be argued, the Mulsanne Speed truly changes the game. With 13% efficiency improvement, it delivers 50 miles (80 km) more range from the same sized Both the Mulsanne and the Mulsanne Speed feature the engine and fuel tank. re-calibrated V8 engine, with 13% efficiency improvement, and it delivers 50 miles (80 km) greater range. With this enhanced efficiency and increased performance, the Mulsanne Speed is a significant evolution: power with true potential. A dark tint to the brightware gives the new Mulsanne Speed a presence that commands attention. 10 Spread - full reveal Stopping power. The Bentley Mulsanne was designed to stop people in their tracks. The new Mulsanne Speed will see them rooted to the spot. A dark tint has been applied to external brightware, including the trademark Bentley matrix grille. Lower bumper apertures, headlamps, rear lights and wing vents all benefit from the same treatment. Rifled stainless steel tailpipes lend dynamic detail to the famously sleek rear haunch. With a unique new 21” wheel design and the subtle addition of the ‘Speed’ fender badge, the imposing look is complete. 15 New look. Traditional standards. The Mulsanne is long-established as the pinnacle of Bentley craftsmanship. But even at this level, there is sometimes room to go further. That’s why the Mulsanne Speed features a collection of hand- crafted details designed to add a sporting edge throughout the interior. Drilled alloy sports foot pedals, a knurled sports gear lever, Bentley embroidered emblems, and the famous diamond quilted hides: together, they complement a new duotone interior created especially for the Mulsanne Speed, including the Mulsanne’s first ever two-tone seat. To give a more sporting feel, the perforated hide has been extended to cover a greater proportion of the interior. As you step into the car, you are greeted with one final detail: the polished stainless steel tread plates, etched with the words: ‘Mulsanne’ and ‘Speed’. 16 THE MULSANNE Perform in style. The Mulsanne has long proved that refinement and performance can co-exist without compromise. But in doing so, it has delivered more than a simple pairing of luxury with power. Its fearsome acceleration, for example, is felt not as a sudden blast forward, but as a smooth surge of seemingly limitless power. The character of the V8 engine note, barely perceptible from inside the cabin while the car is cruising, builds to a rich, powerful roar on acceleration when the throttle is opened wide. For those with the drive to change the world, the Mulsanne is much more than a supremely comfortable car. It is both a place in which to make plans and a place in which to make them happen. 20 High speed meets high luxury. Like its sibling, the Mulsanne Speed, the Mulsanne benefits from a re-engineered V8 engine with improvements in efficiency and range. An 8-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift interface plays its part, while delivering incredibly smooth acceleration at all times. Above all, there is no compromise on performance: the Mulsanne boasts 505 bhp (512 PS) at 4,200 rpm, 1,020 Nm of torque and acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds (0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds). The effect on the car’s occupants is striking, whether experienced from the driver’s seat or as a passenger in the back. The atmosphere remains tranquil, even as the outside world disappears in a blur. While a Sport mode exists – complete with a steering wheel-mounted paddleshift system – it is important to remember that the Mulsanne was not created for dynamic driving alone. Because life is about more than the velocity with which one can travel from A to B. It is about the quality of the driving experience; it’s about the style in which the rest of the story is written. Stainless steel brightware provides the Mulsanne with the elegant looks of a true luxury automotive classic. 23 Subtle sophistication. Every feature found on a Bentley Mulsanne has been designed with subtle elegance in mind. Superforming technology has created striking design lines – sweeping yet sharp, they bestow a unique aura of power and refinement. The large, inset headlamps are instantly recognisable as those of a Bentley, while remaining unique to the Mulsanne. The iconic Bentley matrix grille covers the radiator and hand-built V8 engine. Like its counterpart adorning the lower bumper aperture* and the Mulsanne tread plates, it is finished in eye-catching polished stainless steel. The character of the car can be tailored towards an elegant or, thanks to the option of 21" alloy wheels, a more sporting look. Together, these features mark the pinnacle of Bentley design and a modern automotive classic. Nevertheless, there are options to enhance this immaculate exterior. The front wing vents can be adorned with Bentley ‘Flying B’ style front wing vents* for example, while perhaps the most distinguishing addition that can be made is the trademark ‘Flying B’ radiator mascot*. *Available as a cost option. 24 Hallmarks of obsession. The Mulsanne sees traditional craftsmanship teamed with ultra-modern automotive technology, to create a mobile space like no other. An 8" screen, linked to a 60GB hard drive running cutting-edge communications and navigation software, glides silently away behind a beautifully veneered door in the dashboard when not in use. The dashboard is measured to accommodate the thickness of leather that wraps around it precisely. Furthermore, the mirror- matched veneers must be sanded and lacquered many times, and every time by the skilled hands of Bentley’s craftsmen and women. It is days before the finish of these materials will satisfy our precise and exacting standards. The leather hides are hand-selected from herds that graze at altitude in northern Europe. This means fewer insect bites; vital when the slightest imperfection would mean rejection. The seats they cover are stitched with such pride that Bentley upholsterers sign the backs of each hide. Such obsessive attention to every detail is a hallmark of Bentley – and the reason that around 170 hours go into the furnishing of every Mulsanne. 27 A personal vision for your Mulsanne. The arrival of the new Mulsanne range brings a wider array of colours and finishes. There are over 100 exterior colours and four paint finishes to choose from, alongside 24 different coloured leather hides and 10 veneers. Among the options available is the twin electrically- deployed console tables with concealed iPad® holders*, while the 2,200 W Naim® for Bentley premium audio system* offers everything the audiophile demands.