BENTLEY'S ALL-NEW MULSANNE ARRIVES IN MALAYSIA
2010-04-15 21:05:29 Author: admin Source:
Bentley Kuala Lumpur yesterday held an exclusive Media preview of the all-new Bentley Mulsanne flagship sedan in conjunction to their first year anniversary at their main showroom in Pavilion KL. The all-new Mulsanne debut earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The new Mulsanne, designed and engineered at Crewe, United Kingdom from the ground-up, reaffirms the marque’s intent to create a new flagship Bentley with refined performance, unparalleled levels of interior luxury and coach building skills to the fore.
The return of the Mulsanne name underlines Bentley’s sporting heritage and passion for power and speed. Nothing reflects that prowess better than the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race (Bentley Speed 8, above). Bentley has enjoyed success on six occasions at Le Mans, where its powerful and reliable race cars have thundered down the long straight into the famous Mulsanne corner, from which the new model takes its name.
The design of the new Mulsanne is a unique fusion of sportiness, coachbuilt elegance and solidity. Echoing the Bentley S -Type of the 1950s, the Mulsanne features a bold frontal design dominated by the traditional Bentley matrix grille and highly prominent, classic round inner headlamps with chrome surrounds, flanked by two, smaller outboard lamp clusters, all featuring the latest in lighting technology. The iconic ‘Flying B’ retractable radiator mascot is available as an option.
The long bonnet, short front overhang and long rear overhang help to convey a sense of power and movement, reinforced by muscular haunches and sharply sculptured lines which flow gracefully from the front wings to the rear. Uniquely designed 20-inch (and optional 21-inch) wheels reinforce the Mulsanne’s powerful, sporting stance.
The body is produced in a new manufacturing facility at Bentley’s headquarters where traditional metalworking skills, developed over six decades, are still used extensively during the nine-week build process.
The rear screen, for example is fully enveloped by the coachwork. This provides a flowing, flawless line to the rear of the car, complementing the exquisitely formed D-pillars – whose complex curves can only be created by skilled coach-builders. The complex form of the aluminium front wings, impossible to achieve with normal pressing techniques, is created using superforming, a technology usually reserved for the aerospace industry. This also makes the wings lighter, stiffer and provides superb surface definition.
New construction techniques meant the designers could also incorporate details such as the ‘floating’ elliptical LED tail lights, which uniquely echo the shape of the exhaust tailpipes. To accentuate the beauty of the bodywork, the Mulsanne features ‘brightware’ exclusively in polished stainless steel, including sill treadplates and matrix grilles. Bentley is the only manufacturer in the world to do this.
The door handles incorporate the traditional Bentley ‘knurling’ to their inboard surface for enhanced grip, reflecting the company’s typical attention to detail, while .the sporting character of the Mulsanne is reinforced by front wing vents and wide oval tailpipe finishers.
Bentley customers have a world of infinite choice when commissioning their cars. There are over 100 paint colors in the range that include everything from unusual heritage colors, special satin and pearlescent finishes and duo-tone combinations. But the choice does not end there. Through the bespoke world of Bentley Mulliner, unique colours can exactly match a customer’s vision and taste.
A personalized keyless entry system allows multiple pre-programmed configurations and automatically sets radio stations, phone book, seat (including ventilation and massage modes, both front and rear), steering column and seatbelt settings and even the electrically operated rear-seat blinds for side and rear windows. The keyless system operates with the chrome door handles which incorporate touch points to initiate communication with the key for verification and entry. The Mulsanne also features keyless start, having a stop/start button on the centre console.
The interior design team has continued to develop and evolve the luxurious interiors for which their cars are renowned, based on a large-scale, research program to identify the classic signature features that have defined Bentleys from the 1920s to the present day. Armed with this invaluable resource, the Mulsanne’s design team set itself highly challenging targets for key interior characteristics such as material design, smell, colour harmony and handcrafting. Similar targets ere set for the operational refinement and robustness of all control mechanisms.
Advanced technology is exquisitely packaged within the Mulsanne’s opulent cabin. Behind its heritage-inspired dials and new glass-effect switches lay leading edge features including iPod and mp3 connectivity, Bluetooth and a SIM card reader, as well as a 3G MMI system. Those opting for NAIM’s premium audio system will be treated to the world’s most powerful system fitted to a production vehicle – a 20-channel 2,200-watt experience.
At the heart of it all is the legendary hand-assembled V8 engine that is lighter and features cylinder de-activation and variable cam phasing, a combination that can significantly reduce both fuel consumption and C02 emissions by more than 15 percent.
In the new Mulsanne, the 6¾-litre V8 develops 512 PS (505 bhp/377 kW) while the massive torque (1020 Nm / 752 lb ft) is now delivered even earlier at 1750 rev/min. This dramatic improvement in torque delivery from just above idle and right across the rev range ensures that with a mere tap of the accelerator the driver is immediately rewarded with that characteristic deep, muffled V8 burble and phenomenal acceleration.
The Mulsanne's powerplant advanced technologies are complemented by the new eight-speed automatic transmission which, for the first time on a flagship Bentley, comes with steering-wheel mounted paddleshift. A new Drive Dynamics Control system, operated by a rotary switch mounted next to the gearshift selector, can be used to choose from three standard modes – Bentley, Sport and Comfort – offering precise calibration of suspension and steering control systems. A fourth mode, ‘Custom’, allows the driver to select bespoke settings via the multimedia system to ‘tune’ the Mulsanne to a preferred driving style.
A new air suspension system with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) creates an even more refined and comfortable ride at lower speeds, yet can reduce the Mulsanne’s ride height automatically at high speeds to reduce lift and improve aerodynamic stability. With 20-inch alloy wheels and 265/45 ZR 20 tyres as standard, dynamic handling is assured. Customers may also opt for 21-inch wheels, available in two styles, fitted with 265/40 ZR 21 tyres.
The new Mulsanne is available here and now at a price tag starting from RM3,000,000.
Specifications
Engine: Twin-turbocharged V8
Construction: Alloy heads and block
Capacity: 6750 cc
Power: 512 PS / 505 bhp / 377 kW at 4200 rev/min
Torque: 1020 Nm / 752 lb ft at 1750 rev/min
0-100 mph in 11.6 secs (0-160 km/h in 11.5 s)
Max Speed: 184 mph (296 km/h)
Economy/Fuel Efficiency: 16.7 mpg (16.9 l/100 km)
CO2 emission: 393 g/km
Transmission:Rear-wheel-drive
Gearbox: ZF 8-Speed automatic
Length: 5575 mm (219.49 in)
Width (mirrors folded):1926 mm (75.80 in)
Height: 1521 mm (59.88 in)
Wheelbase: 3266 mm (128.60 in)
Front Track: 1615 mm (63.58 in)
Rear Track: 1652 mm (65.03 in)
Wheels / tyres (standard): 9J x 20 in with 265/45 ZR 20 tyres
(option): 9J x 21 in with 265/40 ZR 21 tyres
Kerb weight: 2585 kg (5700 lb)
