The Bentley Mulsanne has always had the honour being the pinnacle of Bentley luxury, it was first introduced by Bentley Motors in 1980. The car was named after the Mulsanne Corner of the Le Mans racing circuit, a stretch known for its high-speed cornering.
The original Mulsanne was in production from 1980 to 1992 as a successor to the Bentley Arnage T-series. It was designed as a luxury saloon car/limousine with the highest focus on comfort, elegance, and attention to detail on the time-honoured tradition of bespoke craftsmanship. The Mulsanne featured a powerful 6.75-litre V8 engine, which was a modified version of the engine used in the Bentley T-series. It also boasted advanced features for its time, such as anti-lock brakes and self-levelling suspension.
In 2010, Bentley introduced a new generation of the Mulsanne, marking a revival of the model after a long hiatus. The new Mulsanne was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2009 and it showcased Bentley’s commitment to quality and luxury. It featured a redesigned exterior with a more modern and muscular appearance, while retaining the classic Bentley design cues.
The Mulsanne’s interior was meticulously crafted, offering elevated levels of luxury and customization options. It featured premium materials like handcrafted leather, wood veneers, and metal accents. The car came equipped with the latest technology and amenities available at the time, including an ultramodern infotainment system, advanced driver assistance features, and a luxurious rear-seat configuration for ultimate comfort.
Throughout its production, Bentley introduced various special editions and variants of the Mulsanne. This included the Mulsanne Speed, a higher-performance version with increased power and sportier handling characteristics. Bentley also created limited edition models like the Mulsanne Birkin, Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee, and Mulsanne 95, each paying homage to significant milestones in Bentley’s history.
The Mulsanne Speed was added to the line up in 2014 and whilst retaining the classic poise and refined handling of the Mulsanne the Speed now featured an updated 6.7 Litre V8 that delivered 530hp, 25 more than the base model at 505hp, with the improved torque this delivered faster and smoother acceleration through the engines range.
The Extended Wheelbase was then added in 2016 and was aimed at increasing passenger comfort with an additional 250mm of rear leg room and additional features that allowed the passengers to have complete control of the environment in the rear of the car such a sun blinds, rear folding tables, privacy curtains and a rear centre console.
In 2020, Bentley announced that the Mulsanne would be discontinued as a production model after a decade of production. The decision was taken to make way for the next generation of Bentley’s flagship luxury sedan. The Mulsanne marked an important chapter in Bentley’s history, representing the brand’s commitment to artisanship, luxury, and performance.
| Model | Year |
| Mulsanne | 2010 – 2020 |
| Mulliner Driving Specification | 2012 – 2020 |
| Speed | 2014- 2020 |
| Extended Wheelbase | 2016-2020 |
Depending on the exact age, specification and mileage prices can vary from £60,000 to £190,000 .
The Mulsanne was discontinued in 2020 but is still available via the Bentley Certified approved used program.
The Bentley Mulsanne was never about pure speed rather pure hand built luxury, however the W12 engine still delivers. The 6 Litre W12 offered 506hp with a top speed of 184mph with 0-60 of 5.1 seconds, whilst the Speed model was able to reach 190mph with a 0-60 of 4.8 seconds from its 530hp W12 engine.
