The Bentley Mulsanne has been delivering dignitaries to important events and ensuring celebrities travel in style for over a decade, with over 7,300 examples finding homes on lavish driveways and expansive garages. But Bentley feels the time is right to retire its hand-crafted model, with the new Flying Spur set to take up the mantle. New technology, more sustainable powertrains and cutting-edge materials are all set to feature and unfortunately make the Mulsanne look a little long in the tooth.
So to celebrate its tenure, Bentley has crafted a Mulsanne Speed ‘6.75 Edition by Mulliner’ finished in Rose Gold over Tungsten that is heading to a lucky customer in the USA. One extremely special, final Mulsanne remains behind this penultimate car – however, its future home remains a closely guarded secret.
According to the marque, Mulsanne’s lineage can be traced back through Bentley’s history, from the original 8 Litre of 1930 – the last car designed and developed by W.O. Bentley himself – as the most luxurious, coach built Bentley of its time. The stunning Mulsanne 6.75 Edition by Mulliner features tributes to the car’s engine throughout, with the interior ‘organ stop’ ventilation controls replaced by miniature versions of the engine oil cap. The faces of the clock and minor gauges feature schematic cutaway drawings of the engine itself.
Bentley’s Flying B bonnet mascot is blacked out and copper accents are added to the bonnet and grille, while the 21-inch five-spoke Mulsanne Speed wheel will feature a unique bright-machined finish with gloss black pockets. Under the bonnet, the engine intake manifold will be finished in black in lieu of the traditional silver, and the Engine Number Plaque – traditionally signed by the craftsman that built the engine – has been signed by Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark.
He said during the low-key unveiling: “The Mulsanne is the culmination of all that we at Bentley have learnt during our first 100 years in producing the finest luxury cars in the world. As the flagship of our model range for over a decade, the Mulsanne has firmly solidified its place in the history of Bentley as nothing less than a true icon.
“I am immensely proud of the hundreds of designers, engineers and craftspeople that brought the Mulsanne to life over the last ten years. Now, as we begin Bentley’s journey to define the future of sustainable luxury mobility through our Beyond100 strategy, the role of Bentley flagship is passed to the new Flying Spur.”
Keyword: Bentley Mulsanne bows out with unique special edition