Photo: original image by autoevolution
The title of the world’s torquiest sedan in the world now belongs to none other than Bentley and its brand new Mulsanne Speed. It might seem peculiar at first for the British luxury brand to hold such a title but it’s nonetheless true.
Unveiled online last month, the new Mulsanne is now making its world debut at the Paris Motor Show and we’re here offering you the first live photos of the beast.
From the outside, you’d have a hard time discerning between the Mulsanne and Mulsanne Speed if you’re not familiar with the brand and its design cues. That all changes when you sit behind the wheel though.
That’s because the 6.75-liter V8 is now making 530 HP and no less than 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft) of torque, plenty to raise the bar above any other sedan in the world and hold a global record. That’s for the moment, of course, as the horsepower war is still alive and kicking for now. We’re expecting a Hellcat or Mercedes-Benz to try and steal that achievement in the near future.
The 0-62 mph sprint is rated at 4.9 seconds, a time that puts lighter cars at shame. Just as an example, the Caterham 7 Superlight does the same benchmark speed in the same time. And that car only weighs 500 kilos (1,102 lbs) unlike the Mulsanne Speed that tips the scale at 2,658 kg (5,919 lbs), more than 5 times as much.
With added torque and power, the car was also turned into a more efficient machine, being, on average, 13 percent more economical according to Bentley. Sure, that won’t matter for those people that can afford to be carried around in one of these, but when the range also expands for about 80 km (50 mph) you start to car a little. Just a little.
Since this model became the top of the line Bentley, it also comes, as standard, fitted with the Mulliner Driving Specification features that include diamond quilted hide door panels and seats, indented hide headlining, embroidered Bentley emblems on all seats, coined finish to interior door handles and drilled allow sports foot pedals.
The Speed is now on sale and the first deliveries will be taking place this winter. Until then, we can check out these live photos straight from the Paris Motor Show’s floor.
UPDATE: we just learned that the Bentley Mulsanne Speed will cost €390,000 ($492,000 at today's rates) including tax and the company is expecting to sell around 1,000 units a year.
From the outside, you’d have a hard time discerning between the Mulsanne and Mulsanne Speed if you’re not familiar with the brand and its design cues. That all changes when you sit behind the wheel though.
That’s because the 6.75-liter V8 is now making 530 HP and no less than 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft) of torque, plenty to raise the bar above any other sedan in the world and hold a global record. That’s for the moment, of course, as the horsepower war is still alive and kicking for now. We’re expecting a Hellcat or Mercedes-Benz to try and steal that achievement in the near future.
A powerful sprinter it is, nonetheless
Even though initially the Mulsanne wasn’t designed to win drag races but rather carry tycoons in absolute comfort, this thing will tear down asphalt when you want it to.The 0-62 mph sprint is rated at 4.9 seconds, a time that puts lighter cars at shame. Just as an example, the Caterham 7 Superlight does the same benchmark speed in the same time. And that car only weighs 500 kilos (1,102 lbs) unlike the Mulsanne Speed that tips the scale at 2,658 kg (5,919 lbs), more than 5 times as much.
With added torque and power, the car was also turned into a more efficient machine, being, on average, 13 percent more economical according to Bentley. Sure, that won’t matter for those people that can afford to be carried around in one of these, but when the range also expands for about 80 km (50 mph) you start to car a little. Just a little.
Since this model became the top of the line Bentley, it also comes, as standard, fitted with the Mulliner Driving Specification features that include diamond quilted hide door panels and seats, indented hide headlining, embroidered Bentley emblems on all seats, coined finish to interior door handles and drilled allow sports foot pedals.
The Speed is now on sale and the first deliveries will be taking place this winter. Until then, we can check out these live photos straight from the Paris Motor Show’s floor.
UPDATE: we just learned that the Bentley Mulsanne Speed will cost €390,000 ($492,000 at today's rates) including tax and the company is expecting to sell around 1,000 units a year.
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