Revealed: the new Bentley Mulsanne

Let’s talk about Bentley. The company has announced a brand new Mulsanne, and three of them too: the ‘regular’ car (if you can ever call it that), the ‘Speed’, and the ‘Extended Wheelbase’ models.

All three get a new, redesigned front with a stainless steel grille – 80mm wider than before, you're unlikely to miss it – as well as LED headlights, a new one-piece bumper, radiator shell and bonnet. 

Swing around the back, and Bentley aficionados will spot the new rear lights and a new bumper, while inside, the seats come ‘fluted’ or ‘quilted’, are decked out in soft-touch leather and available in 24 hues. Truly, it is very sumptuous in there.

The engine too is a peach, though it remains unchanged from the last Bentley Mulsanne. Which means a 6.75-litre V8 with 505bhp, 752lb ft of torque, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the ability to go from 0-60mph in just 5.1 seconds. Top speed? A stocky 184mph.

With smoothness in mind, there are active engine mounts and suspension bushes this time around, plus noise-absorbing tyres, all allied to air suspension with four modes. Oh, and there’s also lots of connectivity, a whopping-great audio system and some exceptional interior detailing.

Next up, is the Extended Wheelbase edition Mulsanne, which adds 250mm of rear-seat legroom. Those rear seats also get electronic leg rests, while there’s a centre console separating both rear seats, electric curtains and a sunroof. Lovely.

The one you’re probably most interested in however, is the Speed. This gets an uprated 6.75-litre turbo V8 producing 530bhp and 811lb ft of torque – again, unchanged from the last Mulsanne Speed, but adequate, surely – capable of going from 0-60mph in 4.8secs and topping out at a supercar-slaying 190mph.

The Speed also comes with a recalibrated eight-speed auto, while a ‘Sport’ suspension mode stiffens everything up and sharpens the steering for accuracy. The exterior even gets dark tint brightwork, some ‘Speed’ badging, and the interior Mulliner Driving Spec as standard (diamond-quilted seats, knurled gear lever, drilled alloy sport pedals).

Pricing is TBC, but considering it takes over 400 hours to put a Mulsanne together – of which 37 are dedicated to the stitching alone – expect it to be heavy. North of £230,000 heavy...