Bentley Mulsanne Unveiled at Pebble Beach

2010 Bentley Mulsanne - the all new Grand Bentley

By Brian Potter
August 17, 2009 12:31 AM
Filed Under: Bentley, European

After what seemed like an endless stream of teaser videos, the all-new flagship Bentley Mulsanne has been unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California today minus the "Grand" forename.

Just like its Arnage predecessor, the Mulsanne is named for the famous corner at the Le Mans circuit. It is here where Bentley underlines its racing pedigree and heritage with six victories.

Since W.O Bentley's 8.0-liter from 1930, the Mulsanne represents the first Bentley designed, engineered and built from the ground up by Bentley engineers.  Using a new and unique platform that shares nothing with other Bentley or VW group models, production of the Arnage replacement begins next year at a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility within the Crewe factory with sales beginning mid 2010.

Speaking at the Mulsanne unveling at Pebble Beach, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, said: "The challenge we set our engineers was to create a new grand Bentley that would stand as the pinnacle of British luxury motoring, offering the world's most exclusive driving experience. They have responded to this challenge with real passion and the result is a luxury grand tourer that sets new standards in terms of comfort, effortless performance and hand-crafted refinement - the very qualities for which Bentley is renowned."

Although Bentley has withheld powertrain and specification details, it is being reported the Mulsanne is powered by revised version of the Arnage's L-series 6.75-litre twin turbo V8 which produces 500 bhp (373 kW) and 1000 Nm (740 lb-ft) of torque. With emissions a top concern the engine has been re-engineered utilizing lighter components on the inside and outside as well as revised fuel system possibly incorporating cylinder deactivation. The result is reduced fuel consumption by 20 percent. Additionally, like the Continental Supersports the Mulsanne is E85 bio-ethanol compatible.

 

 

Source: Bentley and autocar.co.uk

Press Release (Click to expand)

Today, Bentley Motors unveiled the Mulsanne, the company's all-new flagship grand tourer, at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance in Monterey, California.

The Mulsanne is inspired by the company founder W.O. Bentley's crowning achievement in 1930, the 8-litre. And it was W.O.'s own sensitively conserved company car that shared the podium with the new Mulsanne in Pebble Beach. This early motoring masterpiece represented the last big Bentley that was designed, engineered and built from the ground up by Bentley engineers - until now.

Nearly 80 years later, while paying respect to this illustrious past, the new Mulsanne is a thoroughly modern statement of luxury driving and grand touring. Conceived, styled and engineered entirely at Bentley's headquarters in Crewe, England, the Mulsanne, with its completely new and unique platform, goes into production next year in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility within the Crewe factory.

Introducing the Bentley Mulsanne at Pebble Beach, where Bentley was the featured marque, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, said:

"The challenge we set our engineers was to create a new grand Bentley that would stand as the pinnacle of British luxury motoring, offering the world's most exclusive driving experience. They have responded to this challenge with real passion and the result is a luxury grand tourer that sets new standards in terms of comfort, effortless performance and hand-crafted refinement - the very qualities for which Bentley is renowned."

The Bentley design team, lead by Dirk van Braeckel, have created a flagship that offers the classic sporting, styling cues long-associated with Bentley - expressed in a thoroughly contemporary way.

"From the very first hand sketches in the styling studio, we were inspired by the traditions of the grand touring Bentleys and have sought to evolve this story for a new generation of Bentley enthusiasts."

The return of the Mulsanne name to a car carrying Bentley's iconic ‘Winged B' emblem underlines the company's racing pedigree and nowhere reflects that heritage better than the famed Le Mans circuit, the scene of no fewer than six Bentley triumphs. Few places offer a stronger or more emotive connection with the Bentley marque than the famed Mulsanne corner.

The Bentley 8-litre displayed alongside the Mulsanne in California was first shown at the 1930 London Motor Show. It was the second-built and was W.O. Bentley's company car for two years. Capable of reaching more than 100 mph, the 8-litre demonstrated W.O. Bentley's ambition and ability to build a grand luxury car capable of surpassing every other leading manufacturer of the day. A total of 100 cars were built in 1930 and 1931.

"The 8-litre's breathtaking performance and quality was perhaps the finest example of a ‘pure' grand Bentley. Every mechanical detail carried W.O. Bentley's unique stamp and it was the clearest demonstration of a car built without compromise," commented Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board Engineering.

"The Mulsanne has been designed with exactly the same guiding principles, so it is entirely fitting that these Bentleys from different eras share the same stage."

The Bentley Mulsanne will go on sale from mid 2010. It will also be displayed at the forthcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show (15-27th September, 2009) where Bentley Motors will provide additional product information.

 

Comments

Bristol411S3
August 17, 2009 12:39 AM
Much better looking than I thought it would be. I can't believe the 6.75 litre engine is still soldiering on. BMW claimed it wouldn't pass emissions test after they bought Rolls Royce years ago.

radmeister
August 17, 2009 6:15 PM
U'r right about that, BMW did buy rolls, but this is a Bentley owned by the VW group.

BENZian
August 17, 2009 12:39 AM
wow..after all the teasing I was expecting a beautiful, regal automobile...what I see is just this side of god awful...it looks like a swollen mutated Benz S class and not in a good way...whoever designed the headlights/front end should be shot...some cars look sharky but this is a whale shark with an underbite. Who would seriously buy this over a RR Phantom?


Edited by user on August 17, 2009 at 12:47 AM
MadAboutCars
August 17, 2009 11:47 AM
I agree with you with the teasing and all, was expecting a much better looking Bentley than this copycat of all all designs (including Hyundai lines hehe)

I think RR has done a MUCH better job with the Ghost and the whole concept than this oversized machine which will sell because its a Bentley and not a great design... even the GTC looks more gorgeous than this thing.

Hope the Gullwing doesn't disappoint as much when revealed

BabyMilo
August 17, 2009 12:48 AM
That is god awful, what have they done?

Anthropos
August 17, 2009 12:55 AM
beautiful luxury machine.

zyzyphe
August 17, 2009 12:55 AM
the front looks like a cross-eyed geek with a huge smile. Btw 1000Nm of torque is insane

kimbo
August 17, 2009 1:05 AM
what the f*ck they did with the front?

AOS
August 17, 2009 1:20 AM
Mulsanne the insane... looks like there's a mustache on the front like an old man, it probably would be better off with the GT Speed's front bumper design, and don't see really see the opportunity of an duo tone exterior from the rear. Well look forward to the T model and the interior shots.

Scarcliff
August 17, 2009 1:49 AM
Thats Just A Rolls Royce At The Front And A Bentley At The Back! Looks Bloody Disgusting!

nederina
August 17, 2009 1:50 AM
i suppose the exterior proportions are spot on but mulsanne? more like insane. this, the rolls or the maybach? well i don't know, let's hope they got the interior right - although i got a feeling that it might not be as good since they're not showing it to anyone right now.

9TNine
August 17, 2009 1:57 AM
Not bad at all...

Think the Germans are better at building British cars than the British!

ericthedog
August 17, 2009 3:38 AM
there seems to be a real obsession with the german built cars and i dont know why , they are no better than many other marques . and as for saying the germans build a better british car than us brists is a bit of a stupid comment as bentley is owned by vw these days .

nederina
August 17, 2009 4:01 AM
I have to agree with 9TNine that the germans are good at building good cars, same it goes to the japanese (not on designing). Not just engineering but also the build quality, technology and reliability. Look at what BMW did to Range Rover, Mini and Rolls-Royce. They're more british than the any new Jaguars. If it is not because of them saving the british brand, they would be long gone.

chris25
August 17, 2009 1:59 AM
Yuck!!! that's ugly. Whoever design those front lights, looks like ducks eyes & why is it smiling?

djcocum
August 17, 2009 2:18 AM
That front-end... :(

bphilip
August 17, 2009 2:58 AM
how about...no... its too flash, too ugly and have too much power... the headlights looks its from a beetle, the styling suffers from bangleism. and hey, i would buy the baby roller without thinking.

MTC
August 17, 2009 2:59 AM
Not as bad as I thought it's gonna be, but still a bit too Continental (ugly)

Renegade
August 17, 2009 3:00 AM
Umm, just no, this is better. http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/12/2009/08/b4dd4039de891111afc5965c796f0a47/340x.jpg

effington
August 17, 2009 12:13 PM
that looks a tad apologetic in the headlights... but its a hell of a lot better than these those dopey looking ones!!! cant wait for the mid-life facelift!

catchmyshadow
August 17, 2009 3:13 AM
i think i need time to get used to the 2 big headlights, the rest: the back, the silhouette is damned beautiful.


Edited by user on August 17, 2009 at 3:19 AM
M!
August 17, 2009 3:53 AM
those headlights looks odd. there is a reason why they are more lateral on all cars - it looks more powerful. the way they set it inwards make it look retarded. if you see them at night it will look blah.

i think VW has waken up from the Continental and decided to make their bentley's more like those of the bentley/RR era. with this they are fighting with RR to get back the classic lines they once share.

Murcielago2006
August 17, 2009 3:53 AM
Looks like a Rolls Royce!

hypersonic
August 17, 2009 3:54 AM
Hmm, I am not sure about this. The Arnage's curves had more natural fluidity. There is something slightly awkward and contrived about some of the details on this new model. I see all the Bentley styling cues, yet I don't feel like I'm looking at a Bentley. Maybe I will warm to it in time.


Edited by user on August 17, 2009 at 3:57 AM
Bristol411S3
August 17, 2009 10:46 AM
Spot on. Couldn't agree more. It almost looks like a Chinese copy. And I also agree with the comment further down the page that says it looks heavy -- it does!

As I say, not as ugly as I was expecting, but it'll take some work to make this look sporty.

nederina
August 17, 2009 4:09 AM
i can't help thinking that they could have taken the bugatti veyron and smack all the toys and modernize this 'grand' bentley. this one appears to be a bit too grandfather-ish

scratchy996
August 17, 2009 4:26 AM
i agree on the grandfather-ish. but i think it will look better in black.

M!
August 17, 2009 5:05 AM
hello, how much is a veyron? this is in a totally different segment.

scratchy996
August 17, 2009 4:14 AM
i still find it weird when i see German names as CEOs of Bentley and Lamborghini. a certain moustached man would be proud.

radmeister
August 18, 2009 6:27 AM
Do you also find it weird that those companies are now profitable?

AutopiaDR
August 17, 2009 4:26 AM
wow, i thought id never say this but that is one ugly Bentley

Dragos_DreS
August 17, 2009 4:32 AM
this baby is what the front reminds me of.

http://static.pyzam.com/img/funnypics/babies/baby.jpg

TheSilentKnight
August 17, 2009 4:46 AM
Hmmmmmmmmm, not the best-looking modern Bentley I've seen I'm afraid; looks-wise I'd take the new baby Rolls. However I hope that Bentley has got it right with the interior and let's hope that they've got it right with the engine and gearbox. I'll reserve my final judgement until then.

GRAVE
August 17, 2009 4:46 AM
Ugliest Bentley ever!

theoldman
August 17, 2009 7:48 AM
this is a really good looking car

it has the classic timeless elegance one expects of a Bentley... and I love it mostly because its a Bentley

AG4
August 17, 2009 8:56 AM
Reminds me of a Ford Cortina Mk3 from the side, specially the roofline and the coke-bottle styling (hips).


Edited by user on August 17, 2009 at 8:58 AM
rcw
August 17, 2009 9:48 AM
This is an interesting design to me. Anyone who truly knows anything about design knows that it takes time, and several views (of course in person) to really mentally process and understand a design. I'll have to give this one time. Definitely one thing that comes to mind is that this thing looks heavy, very heavy, like it weighs 6,000 lbs or something ridiculous.

MusTang
August 17, 2009 10:09 AM
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, I don't belive that this is Bentley. Very ugly :-(

benz_man
August 17, 2009 10:15 AM
WOW!! I'm impressed. The exterior design is incredible; a play on retro and ultra-modern. Good job VW. Now, lets hope the interior can live up to the hype. I bet the 6.75 and 6 or 8-speed auto make for quite a "wallup" of tq in the pants.

ExoticCarOwner
August 17, 2009 10:24 AM
beautiful car and the passion that obviously propelled its conception is evident.

badis
August 17, 2009 10:43 AM
They shouldnt have put that grill on the front front bumper. Otherwise its a nice car.

Andrei
August 17, 2009 10:55 AM
hope this is not real ... only a project or something . looks like a piece o sh*t not like a bentley . leave bentley design the way it is ...

Kakaofos
August 17, 2009 11:09 AM
it's better alternative for Phantom than Maybach. Anyway Phantom is the king

sovietmole
August 17, 2009 11:27 AM
looks pretty much like the arnage with inverted morgan headlamps..

rogers
August 17, 2009 11:29 AM
Everything is perfect at this car! Except the headlights...

afterace2
August 17, 2009 11:56 AM
looks great if u ask me, now show the INTERIOR !

Dr Alvar Hanso
August 17, 2009 12:03 PM
OMG... the front, the front... it's burning my eyes!

GRAVE
August 17, 2009 12:12 PM
It looks like a Chinese version Bentley!

N20_Purge
August 17, 2009 1:00 PM
The car is smiling, I ain't. :|

serraxtrem
August 17, 2009 1:47 PM
I am happy for RR, this is Ugliest car I ever seen from Bentley, Shame on you VW you just spoil another car brand

elsonlau
August 17, 2009 1:58 PM
What a killer for a Rolls-Royce!!!

aston
August 17, 2009 2:08 PM
tut tut! this car is amazingly ugly , there is no cohesion between the use of round lights and the quite square grill. at the moment it looks like an old man with reading glasses on! i would suggest using square main headlights with rounded corners!!! tyhe rest of the looks like any other bently wich is a good thing seen as the lines are very distinctly elegant.


Edited by user on August 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
serraxtrem
August 17, 2009 3:22 PM
it looks like an old man with NO eyes !!!

NewGit
August 17, 2009 2:16 PM
From the first front-on pic, this car reminds me of shrek

HEMI426
August 17, 2009 3:33 PM
Again a design for me that takes time to like. This car has a spaceframe like the A8, so it's going to be lighter. Why has it 4WD then? I don't see the point of big, luxurious saloons with 4wd. Every Rolls is rearwheeldrive, Bentleys were sporty, but also classic and there is no other drive type that fits the bill more than rearwheeldrive

Mister-G
August 17, 2009 4:02 PM
I really like it, hopefully it will look better in the flesh. The front reminds me of the Hamburgler though.


Edited by user on August 17, 2009 at 4:04 PM
9TNine
August 17, 2009 4:39 PM
Actually that front reminds me of the old Rover 3.5 coupe - which, once upon a time, was the Queen's favourite vehicle...

I don't think it looks good in that colour, though - black / silver would be much better


Edited by user on August 17, 2009 at 4:41 PM
moodyaaa
August 17, 2009 6:18 PM
Sorry Bentley, u can't reach the Phantom

Paulds
August 17, 2009 9:07 PM
I rather RR Gost

wjaprep
August 17, 2009 9:52 PM
its alright. I guess. I dunno. obvlsy the Arnage looked better, I guess its ok, I like the name and the classic styled headlamps. I approve.

Geefiasco
August 17, 2009 10:47 PM
Stunning car. "Classy" is the only word to explain it.

Moko
August 17, 2009 11:50 PM
i get that RR feeling , verey disappointed in that car

2010S5
August 18, 2009 1:41 AM
Do they honestly think that just because they carry the nameplate 'Bentley' they can just create something like this monstrority and have it appeal to car enthusiasts? It will probably sell though, because there are many senseless people with hoards of money and no taste in cars.

catchmyshadow
August 18, 2009 3:36 AM
wasn`t that familar with past bentleys, i looked it up and i think that the front with the 4 headlights is a hommage to some bentley classics, so i guess it isn`t that bad:

http://img.motor-klassik.de/media/mdb/216699.jpg

http://www.madle.org/gc08ben.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2825481609_40408bd579.jpg?v=0


Edited by user on August 18, 2009 at 3:36 AM
teuton
August 18, 2009 12:16 PM
Looks like a Japanese Mitsuoko; never expected this nasty surprise from Bentley! Whoever designed that front profile needs to be kicked! T*wat!

DieselDog
August 19, 2009 3:51 AM
Huge, expensive, handsome, awe-inspiring. I'll never have to worry about scratching the paint or denting a fender. Too bad - this is one for the uber-rich. I'm envious.

fattychrisbmw
August 20, 2009 11:50 AM
they calling this new model by making the side headlight smaller... maybe next time they can make 3 headlights each side and call it another new one... it looks like someone who has off-centered eyeball.. u never know which eye to look at when talking to him/her

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