Exploring the Bentley Mulsanne: A Pinnacle of Luxury

Introduction

For those of you who know their Le Mans quite well, Bentley’s special connection to this intense motorsport won’t come as a surprise. Cars from the “Flying B” have bagged over half a dozen wins at this arduous, 24-hour race. When it came time to christen their new flagship, Bentley decided to name it after a small village located at one of the sharpest corners of the track. Thus, it became known as the Mulsanne. The Bentley Mulsanne first went on sale in 2010, becoming the most expensive and luxurious car that the British brand had ever produced.

Customization Options

Handcrafted in the United Kingdom, the Mulsanne is offered with a standard wheelbase and an Extended Wheelbase (EWB). Wealthy customers can choose from an almost endless list of customization options to make it truly unique. In the United Arab Emirates, the Mulsanne shares its exclusive VIP zone with models such as:

• Rolls-Royce Ghost
• Mercedes-Benz Maybach

Exterior Design

Where some manufacturers opt for ostentatious designs, Bentley has taken a different approach with the Mulsanne. Instead of concealing its immensity, Bentley has chosen to showcase the car's gigantic proportions. The slab-sided features with gentle curves and a girth of over 1.92 meters accomplish this beautifully.

The front fascia is quintessentially Bentley, featuring a quad-headlight setup and a trademark rectangular grille design. The vast, stately hood is adorned with a neat “Flying B” ornament, while the lower bumper is decorated with chrome around the air vents.

Measuring over 5.8 meters in length (EWB), the Bentley Mulsanne’s side profile is dominated by its large chrome wheels, muscular wheel arches, huge doors, and thick C-pillars. The oversized rear haunches lead to magnificent B-shaped LED taillights, a stubby boot, and a neatly integrated bumper with elliptical twin exhaust pipes. Interestingly, despite its size, the Mulsanne’s boot can only accommodate up to 446 liters of luggage.

Interior Luxury

The interior space of the Bentley Mulsanne is astonishing in every way. Almost every surface is covered in luxurious leather, wood, aluminum, or suede. The switchgear feels premium and tactile, making the cabin feel nothing short of palatial, especially in the Extended Wheelbase edition.

The Mulsanne’s build quality, attention to detail, and craftsmanship are truly superlative. With a wafty ride, extremely comfortable seats, and bunker-like insulation, it equates to a first-class travel experience.

The Bentley Mulsanne (EWB) comes loaded with features, including:

• Radar-guided cruise control
• Adaptive air suspension
• Power window blinds
• Power-adjustable massaging seats with heating and cooling
• Rear Bentley entertainment tablets
• Panoramic glass roof
• 8-inch touchscreen head unit with navigation
• 2,200-watt Naim audio system
• 8 airbags and a surround camera system

Additionally, it includes a range of safety features such as ABS, EBD, EBA, ESC, TCS, HHA, and BSM.

Engine and Performance

The Mulsanne is powered by a massive 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 motor, producing 505 hp and an impressive 1,020 Nm of torque. Driving the rear wheels via a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, the 2.7-ton Mulsanne can reach 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds, while its top speed reaches approximately 296 km/h.

Verdict

The regular wheelbase of the 2019 Bentley Mulsanne starts at 1.8 million dirhams, while the Extended Wheelbase variant (without optional extras) is priced at 2.1 million dirhams. Financing options for these models begin at AED 28,056 and AED 32,732, respectively.