The Bentley Mulsanne is a luxury sedan produced by British manufacturer Bentley Motors Limited. The first generation of the Mulsanne was launched in 2010 and was designed to be an ultra-luxurious grand tourer.
Design
The original Mulsanne measures 223.3 inches (5,668 mm) in length, 76.9 inches (1,953 mm) in width, and 59.4 inches (1,509 mm) in height. Its wheelbase spans 133 inches (3,378 mm). The exterior design was penned by Dirk van Braeckel and the interior by Stefan Schmidt.
Powertrain
The first generation Mulsanne is powered by a 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine produced by Rolls-Royce. This unit delivers 505 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 1,150 lb-ft of torque at 1,450 rpm. The power is transmitted to the wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift control.
Performance
With a curb weight of over 5,500 pounds (2,495 kg), the Mulsanne accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed electronically limited at 275 km/h (171 mph). The grand tourer has a towing capacity of up to 7,400 pounds (3,350 kg) when equipped with an optional trailer tow module.
Interior
The Mulsanne's interior is designed for luxury and comfort. It features diamond-quilted leather upholstery, burr walnut wood veneers, and polished stainless steel trim. The cabin includes a rear console with cup holders and a 10-speaker audio system.
Safety Features
The first generation Bentley Mulsanne was equipped with numerous standard safety features such as anti-lock braking (ABS), traction control, electronic stability control, and six airbags.
Optional Equipment
Among the optional features for the Mulsanne were an infotainment system with navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, 20-inch alloy wheels, a comfort package that included adjustable lumbar support, heated seats, and a moonroof. The luxury sedan also offered various bespoke interior amenities such as seat personalization, carbon fiber trim, and bespoke paint colors.
Mulsanne Speed
In 2015, Bentley unveiled the Mulsanne Speed, an upgraded version of the original Mulsanne with a focus on performance and handling. The Mulsanne Speed features a modified engine producing 605 horsepower and 1,169 lb-ft of torque. Its top speed is electronically limited to 189 mph (304 km/h) due to aerodynamic considerations.
Production
The first generation Bentley Mulsanne was produced until its discontinuation in 2020, with a reported total production run of approximately 5,000 units worldwide during this period. The Mulsanne Speed accounted for about 30% of these sales, leaving the standard Mulsanne to make up the remaining 70%.
