2011 Bentley Mulsanne

After more than a decade in production, Bentley’s flagship Arnage has run its course. Its 2011 replacement, named Mulsanne-after four of the most famous miles in motorsports-is all-new, and is the first car to have been designed solely as a Bentley since 1928.

Under the Mulsanne’s hood, Bentley’s 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 now features cam phasing and cylinder deactivation, both nods to the eco-conscious times.

Still, when all sixteen valves are breathing, the Mulsanne sends a herculean 505 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque through an all-new eight-speed automatic for near 5 second 0-60 times.

“Although it weighs 5,700 pounds, the Mulsanne pulls like a freight train and rides silky-smooth. The big turbo V8 is very quiet, and shifts are imperceptible from the new transmission.” – Brian Roberts

Audi sourced suspension components are bolted to an all-new, Mulsanne-exclusive chassis that is both stronger and lighter than that of the Arnage. Adjustable suspension and roll-bars do a fine job of keeping all this girth in check. So even on the narrow roads of Scotland, this massive car handles quite a bit smaller than it has any right to.

Huge circular headlamps-a throwback to Bentleys of the ‘20s and ‘30s-are the Mulsanne’s most stand-out styling feature. Taillights mimic the Continental’s twin floating-oval setup. 

Inside, there’s three times more wood than in any other Bentley, laid across the classically-proportioned dash and doors. Everything else is stitched in the finest leather money can buy.

The Mulsanne mixes 21st-century creature comforts with 20th-century Bentley virtues. Case in point, your MP3 player is treated to its own leather-lined center stack drawer.

When the Mulsanne arrives here prices will start at $285,000. But alas, the entire first run is already spoken for.

 

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