For their strength and power W.O. Bentley's cars were once described as the world's fastest trucks. While the Mulsanne doesn't have the scale and bluntness of the aircraft-carrier-like prow on Rolls-Royce's Phantom it is still a big car, a foot longer than a long-wheelbase Mercedes S-Class and just three inches shorter than a Chevrolet Suburban. Luxury isn't light either, the Mulsanne weighing in at 5700 pounds, and extended-wheelbase versions may follow in the future
A ring of wood circles the cabin just below the window-line rather like a picnic boat, and like all the wood it is mirror-finish from the centerline. Nine wood choices are offered and feature marquetry and hand-cut cross-banding, accompanying 24 leather colors in five split-lines, 114 paint shades and carpeting that encourages you to leave the Balenciagas and Manolo Blahniks in the trunk. Further customization with match-to-sample paints leathers and bespoke components are offered through Mulliner.
Detailing is thorough, with knurled stainless steel on cabin knobs and door handles, glass-like switches, bulls-eye vents with organ-stop pulls, chrome-surrounded deep amber gauge needles and 250-degree-sweep faces, and seatbelts and buckles color-matched to the upholstery. The eight-inch navigation/audio screen is concealed behind woodwork when not needed, offers multiple inputs including dual SD cards, a leather-lined tray holds your iPod, and the available Naim sound system delivers eight DSP modes through 20 speakers backed by 2.2 kilowatts of amplification.
Power comes from a 6-3/4 liter V8, turbocharged, with more than 500 horsepower and 750 pound-feet of torque for effortless acceleration and top speed in excess of three miles-a-minute. An eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive, massive brakes and adjustable suspension and steering ensure the Mulsanne would be right at home on its namesake road, the Mulsanne straight at LeMans. Although the engine will run on one half when power demands don't require all of it, fuel economy and cost are addressed the same way: "If you have to ask . . . "