The Bentley Mulsanne and Its History

While the Bentley Mulsanne was initially based on the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, it was named after the 3.7-mile Circuit de la Sarthe track.  It was here that Bentley Motors won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race five times between 1924 and 1930.

BENTLEY MULSANNE HISTORY

The Bentley Mulsanne was not a sports car, even though it was named after a long straight at the Circuit de la Sarthe’s 3.7-mile racetrack.  Production of the model was set for 12 years, starting in 1980 and ending in 1992.  It was replaced by the Brooklands model.  In 2010, the Bentley Mulsanne history continued for a second run, ceasing production again in 2020.  Common denominators through its 22 years include its superb interiors and finishes, precision engineering, built-by-hand production, and the 6.7-liter V-8 engine.

BENTLEY TURBO R (1985-1997)

The Bentley Mulsanne Turbo had onboard a Garrett AiResearch turbocharger that boosted the power of the 6.7-liter engine.  No official power specifications were released on it, but it is thought to have exceeded 300 horsepower.  The next version of the car dropped the Mulsanne name and the Bentley Turbo R became a legend in its day.  They added 30 more hp to it, along with a fine-tuned suspension adjustment, and the combination left many other sports cars of the time in the dust.

BENTLEY MULSANNE (2010)

Bentley Motors reintroduced the Mulsanne at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach in 2009 and it took its place once again as the flagship model.  It also had the distinction of being the first car to be solely designed by Bentley in nearly 80 years.  Many Bentley models had to share the stage with Rolls-Royce vehicles prior to that.  The 2010 Mulsanne had a makeover in the engine department with turbo adaptation of the Bentley L 6.75-liter V-8 engine with 505 horsepower.

MULSANNE MULLINER (2012-2020)

The Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification car was designed to be very prestigious with perforated and diamond-quilted seats.  On the outside, you could find 21-inch wheels and the most recent “Flying B” apertures on the wings.  This sportier version was designed with drivers in mind more than passengers and it included many flourishes in the details.

BENTLEY MULSANNE SPEED (2014-2020)

This version of the sensational car was both luxurious and fast – speed was in its name, you know.  It had 530 hp and a modified V-8 engine.  It was exquisitely finished with hand-stitched leathers.  It would go from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

OTHER MODELS

Other versions of the Mulsanne included the Speed “Blue Train” from 2015, which was crafted to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the legendary 1930 Bentley Speed Six coupe.  The 1930 coupe was renowned for outrunning the Calais-Mediterranee Express, which was also known as the “Blue Train,” in France, from Cannes to Calais.  The Speed Six arrived four minutes earlier than the Blue Train.

The Bentley Mulsanne W.O. Edition celebrated the car company’s 100th anniversary in 2019.  This anniversary edition carried a piece of W.O. Bentley’s (founder of Bentley Motors, Walter Own Bentley) personal 8-Liter model car inside.

The Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition (2020) was the last of its kind and had many special features, including embroidery on the seats that was exclusive and controls for ventilation that were designed to resemble an engine oil cap.

Bentley’s future includes the Flying Spur, which is set for electrification and a hybrid powertrain in 2023.