Luxury car-maker Bentley epitomises the best of British.
With sales up over 40% in Britain in the first five months of 2014, Bentley can feel it has got things right, that the road out of recession and onto the motorway of recovery is beneath its wheels as it glides onwards.
While bread and butter would-be executive car makers bombard us with a bewildering range of models even at the top of their brand, Bentley simply has the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Mulsanne, and it the last big saloon we have been testing recently.
Again, simply, there is just one normal production model but Bentley’s craftsmen can turn any car into a highly individual and unique one, so there is no reason why two Bentleys should be the same.
Key to the Bentley Mulsanne is its powertrain, a massive 6.75L V8 petrol engine matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It delivers 1,020Nm of pulling power at 1,750rpm which gives it immensely strong acceleration irrespective of load and from comparatively low speed.
It packs over 500bhp so it’s never stressed and its barely ticking over at the UK motorway limit, but that is just 38% of its speed potential so you get some idea of what is in reserve.
Insulated from this power potential you are also removed from the road beneath and cocooned from the world around you in a cabin which is handcrafted in attractive wood and fine leather. Big doors open wide to give very good access to the roomy interior.
Leg, head and shoulder room is particularly generous, the seats adjust through a wide range and for the driver the steering column can be finely tuned to produce the most comfortable position.
Well placed big instruments cover the essentials and there is a trip computer hiding away to give further data, including the fuel consumption which we saw plunge to 10mpg at worse but also improve to 22mpg at best. Our average was 17mpg so its 20 gallons tank gives a range of about 340 miles, possibly more if you are careful.
The power steering is well weighted to make light work of parking, which requires a lot of arm-twirling and a big space to exercise that, and it gives good feedback at speed although the Mulsanne never felt agile and its body roll was pronounced on sweeping sections of tight roads. Nevertheless, it did stay firmly placed on the road.
The 2685KG weight was never a handicap with the powerful engine, massive disc-brakes hauled down speed in a powerful, progressive and surprisingly light manner, and the parking brake securely held.
The extremely sophisticated heating and ventilation system kept the big interior comfortable for those in the front or back and either side, backed up by four powered windows.
Oddments space was reasonable, not exceptional in such a big cabin, and the low loading boot would take only a couple of golf bags or four medium suitcases. The rear occupants have powered picnic tables but one developed a fault on the test car and this combined with a sometimes malfunctioning wiper system was a surprise.
When it did work the wipers system was effective, the headlights very bright and far reaching and the high driving position gave a good view of the road ahead but you really need the parking sensors as well when manoeuvering with rear corners out of sight.
On the road, the Bentley Mulsanne covers ground surprisingly quickly when pressed, it really soaks up every bump to give an insulated feeling and the noise levels are all low with virtually no mechanical noise unless accelerating.
In reality I cannot see anyone wishing to hurry anywhere in the Bentley Mulsanne because it is such a delightful experience as it removes you from everyday concerns at each end of a journey while you travel in a cloud of contentment. It is much the same as looking around the world and appreciating you’re British.
Fast facts
Bentley Mulsanne
Price: £228,200 (£308,00 on test with options)
Mechanical: 505bhp 6.75L V8, eight-speed automatic
Max speed: 184mph
0-62mph: 5.3sec
Combined mpg: 17mpg (see text)
CO2 emissions: 393gkm
Insurance group: 50
BIK rating: VED band M/ 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage
For: Powerful performance, roomy, comfortable, luxurious, insulating
Against: Handling, size, economy and emissions, bootspace 443 litres.
© Images Roger Donovan MediaPhotos
