As you venture into the world of luxury cars, you’ll likely come across the Bentley Mulsanne, touted for its opulence and commanding presence. With a production run spanning from 2010 to 2020, it’s natural to wonder which years stood out from the rest.
While some models were criticized for their outdated powertrains and lack of modern features, others boasted impressive upgrades, like a power increase to 530 horsepower. Which years reigned supreme, and which ones fell short?
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Key Takeaways
- The Bentley Mulsanne’s best years are 2011-2016, with the most luxurious features and refined engine performance.
- The 2017 model year saw a minor facelift, but it’s still considered one of the best years for the Mulsanne.
- The worst years for the Bentley Mulsanne are 2010 and 2018, with some owners reporting issues with the interior and exterior design.
- The 2014 model year is notable for its exclusive design and limited production run, making it highly sought after.
- The 2013 is considered one of the best years for the Mulsanne Speed, offering exceptional performance and luxury features.
The Epitome of Luxury and Presence
As you step into the Bentley Mulsanne’s presence, you’re immediately enveloped in an aura of opulence.
This luxury car exudes grandeur, with a long hood that seems to stretch endlessly.
Its massive size, over 18 feet in length and 6 feet in width, dominates the road.
Inside, you’re treated to a bespoke experience, personalized service, and exclusive clientele, making it the ultimate symbol of luxury and presence.
The Mulsanne’s interior is nine kinds of lovely, complete with lavish fixtures and a mean-looking stance that turns heads on the road.
The Last All-Bentley Bentley Experience
As you delve into the Mulsanne’s significance, you’ll discover that it boasts a unique heritage, being the last Bentley that’s not shared with other platforms, unlike its predecessors.
This pure Bentley experience is a result of its unshared platform legacy, which sets it apart from other models.
With its production ending in 2020, it’s the last of its kind, making it a truly exclusive experience.
Pure Bentley Heritage
The Mulsanne embodies the essence of pure Bentley heritage, dating back to the 1931 8-Litre, with an unparalleled level of exclusivity and personalized service that matches its elite clientele’s high expectations. You get a true all-Bentley experience, unlike other models that share VW-Audi content. The Mulsanne stands out as one of the only pure Bentleys, with a unique heritage and design.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform | Unique, not shared with VW-Audi models |
| Heritage | Dating back to 1931 |
| Exclusivity | Bespoke experience, personalized service |
| Uniqueness | Last all-Bentley Bentley experience |
Unshared Platform Legacy
You’re getting a truly unique driving experience with the Mulsanne, which stands out from its peers in the Bentley lineup.
Unlike the Continental GT of 2003 and the follow-on Continental Flying Spur, the Mulsanne doesn’t share a platform with the VW Phaeton and Audi A8.
This makes it a standalone model, with some behind-the-scenes VW-Audi content, but largely an all-Bentley creation.
As the last all-Bentley Bentley since the 1931 8-Litre, the Mulsanne offers an exclusive experience that sets it apart from its competitors.
Design and Styling of a Masterpiece
As you delve into the Bentley Mulsanne, you’ll notice its design and styling exude a mean and aggressive look, characterized by a three-piece front grille, long hood, and curvaceous roofline.
You’ll appreciate the luxurious attention to detail, from metal tread plates to door sills that showcase exceptional craftsmanship.
The interior display screen, which rotates to reveal a classy, high-tech interface, is just one of many features that make it a true masterpiece.
Mean and Aggressive Look
With its sharp lines and chiseled features, this luxury sedan exudes a mean and aggressive look that commands attention on the road.
You can’t help but notice the separated front grills and three-piece front fascia that was redesigned in 2015.
- The Mulsanne’s styling is exceptional, with tons of wheel options, including carbon ceramic brakes.
- The car’s silhouette is great, with a classy screen that rotates to impress.
- The design is unbeatable, with a mean-looking car that has an incredible amount of options.
Luxurious Attention to Detail
Bentley’s designers have carefully crafted every detail of the Mulsanne to create a truly luxurious experience. You’ll notice the attention to detail in the metal tread plates, door sills, and rotating screen with a classy look and feel. The interior features | Customization Options | Materials** |
| — | — | — |
|---|---|---|
| Veneer | Bird’s Eye | Olive Ash |
| Paint Finish | Mirror Finish | – |
| Doors | Soft-Close | – |
The Mulsanne’s signature paint has a mirror finish, and its soft-close doors contribute to its attention to detail. With materials shipped from around the world, you’ll feel like you’re in a masterpiece.
Rotating Display Screen
The centerpiece of the Mulsanne’s dashboard is a technological marvel – a rotating display screen that showcases a classy look and feel, blending seamlessly into the dashboard’s sleek design.
This innovative feature adds a layer of sophistication to the interior.
- The screen’s design is a masterclass in understated elegance, exuding refinement and poise, much like the Mulsanne itself.
- You can rotate the screen to reveal a veneered panel, providing a touch of old-world charm and sophistication.
- The rotating display screen is a tribute to Bentley’s attention to detail, showcasing the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation.
Interior and Features Fit for Royalty
You step into the opulent interior of the Bentley Mulsanne, surrounded by an incredible amount of leather, wood, and meticulous details that exude luxury.
The interior is heavily influenced by Volkswagen, but still offers signature paint with a mirror finish and soft-close doors.
You can choose from various veneer options, including Bird’s Eye Maple and Olive Ash, along with woodwork inlays and Bentley wing badges.
Contrast stitching, cross-stitching, and embroidery of Bentley emblems on all seats are also available, making the interior truly fit for royalty.
Engine and Performance That Leaves a Mark
Powering this luxurious behemoth is a 6.8 liter twin-turbo OHV 16-valve V-8 engine that releases 505 horsepower and a staggering 752 lb-ft of torque.
You’ll feel the rush as you accelerate, thanks to the engine’s exceptional power delivery.
Some notable features of the Mulsanne’s engine include:
- The Mulsanne Speed’s tuned engine, which produces 530 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to go from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds.
- The base model Mulsanne’s 0-60 mph time of around 5 seconds, due to its old-school power plan.
- The Mulsanne’s engine has been tuned to produce 650 horsepower and 700 foot-pounds of torque, making it a rare and exclusive driving experience.
The Best of the Best in Terms of Handling
Beneath its dignified appearance, the Bentley Mulsanne harbors a surprising aptitude for handling that’s nothing short of exceptional.
You’ll be impressed by its poise, grip, and enthusiasm to carve through turns. The Mulsanne Speed, with its 530 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque, feels at home, offering a unique driving experience.
Its air springs guarantee an exceptional ride quality, making it rewarding to drive in curves. You’ll find its handling comparable to a sports car, making it a better driving experience than Rolls-Royce.
With exceptional handling, it’s a great daily driver that’s sure to leave a mark.
The Depreciation Conundrum
As luxury vehicles, Bentleys are notorious for their steep depreciation rates, and the Mulsanne is no exception.
You’ll likely lose a significant chunk of change as soon as you drive it off the lot.
- The Mulsanne’s depreciation rate is around 40% in the first three years, which translates to a loss of around $150,000.
- After five years, the depreciation rate slows down, but you’ll still be looking at a loss of around $200,000.
- By the ten-year mark, the Mulsanne’s value will have dropped by over 60%, leaving you with a car worth around $250,000 less than its original price.
A Unique Daily Driver for the Elite
You slide behind the wheel of your Bentley Mulsanne, and the world outside becomes a distant hum.
As you settle into the sumptuous leather, you’re enveloped in a cocoon of luxury.
This is a car designed for the discerning few who demand the finest.
With its sleek lines, powerful engine, and meticulous attention to detail, the Mulsanne is a unique daily driver for the elite.
You’ll glide through traffic, arriving at your destination feeling refreshed and invigorated, ready to take on the world.
The Bentley Mulsanne is an experience, not just a mode of transportation.
