BENTLEY -MULSANNE
Bentley's most recent flagship, the Mulsanne, made its debut at Pebble Beach last summer and goes into production this summer; the manner of construction and a final assembly check involving 503 points that requires more than two hours' time hardly qualify it as a production car.
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
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
Like most exterior and much interior trim the mesh grille is made of stainless steel polished to a fare-the-well, and framed with massive headlamps units incorporating multiple LED units. A long hood, swept back roof and trunk line, elliptical exhaust outlets and big 21-inch wheels carry both contemporary and traditional Bentley styling characteristics without appearing dated.
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 . . . "
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 . . . "
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