The Bentley Mulsanne was unveiled at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and, with the exception of some special editions, it has remained the same ever since. For the 2014 model year, however, Bentley->ke15 has announced a series of new luxury features, ranging from new suite of communication and entertainment system options up to new paints. This updated Mulsanne->ke3495 will be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and will go on sale one month later.

The most significant update includes the addition of two new packages -- Comfort and Entertainment -- that will update both the comfort and the technologically features of the Mulsanne.

Customers can also choose between three new exterior colors -- Dark Cashmere, Portofino and Damson -- combined with three new interior ones: Damson, Saffron and Brunel.

Unfortunately no changes were made in the place that needed it the most: under the hood. This means that the Mulsanne will continue to be offered with the same 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 as in the previous years.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Bentley Mulsanne.

2014 Bentley Mulsanne

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Bentley Mulsanne
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 505 @ 4200
  • Torque: 752 @ 1750
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

For the 2014 model year, the only exterior update the Mulsanne received is the addition of three new exterior colors: Dark Cashmere, Portofino and Damson. The rest of the exterior carries over from the 2012 model year. With a car this stunning, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Dimensions & Capacities

Wheelbase (mm / in)

3266 / 10ft 8in

Overall Length (mm / in)

5575 / 219.49 inches / 18ft 3in

Width (across mirrors) (mm / in)

2208 / 7ft 3in

Width across body (mm / in)

1926 / 6ft 4in

Width with mirrors folded (mm / in)

1926 / 6ft 4in

Overall height (mm / in)

1521 / 5ft

Unladen Weight (kg / Ib) (Markets Outside North America)

2685 kg / 5919 lb

Unladen Weight (kg / Ib) (North America)

2711kg / 5676 lb

Gross weight (kg / Ib)

3200 kg / 7055 lb

Front axle weight limit (kg / Ib)

1479kg / 3261 lb

Rear axle weight limit (kg / Ib)

1721 kg / 3794 lb

Fuel tank (liters / gallons / US gallons)

96 / 21.12 / 25.36

Boot volume (liters / m3 / cu-ft)

443L / 15.75 cubic-feet


Interior

The biggest updates for 2013 are inside of the cabin, where Bentley added two new specifications (packages), new technologies and, of course, new colors.

The first addition is the new Comfort Specification. It includes new comfort headrests, with manually adjustable wings for lateral support to aid relaxation when chauffeur-driven, new footrests trimmed in flat-cut cabin carpet and hide to match each individual vehicle.

The rear door receives an armrest storage compartment, while the seats receive fine-duck-down-filled loose cushions, trimmed using the same traditionally-tanned hide as the seats.

Next there is the Entertainment Specification that, in just a few words, allows you to bring your office into the car. It adds rear tables designed for an iPad and wireless keyboard. There is also an on-board Wi-Fi router, twin, headrest-mounted 8-inch LCD screens, a 20 GB hard drive and DVD player, two sets of Bluetooth headphones and a remote control.

The interior can be ordered in three new trim colors, perfectly matching the three new ones offered for the exterior: Damson, Saffron and Brunel.

Engine

Unfortunately Bentley opted to make no updates under the hood, so the Mulsanne will continue to be offered with the same twin-turbocharged engine that delivers a total of 505 horsepower and a peak torque of 752 pound-feet.

The engine will be mated to a ZF-built 8 speed transmission and will sprint the luxury limousine from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. This massive sedan can hit a top speed of 184 mph.

Engine

Type

6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V-8

Bore and Stroke (mm)

104.15 and 99.06

Cylinders

8

Displacement/capacity (cc)

6752

Compression Ratio

7.8:1

Valve Gear

Two overhead valves per cylinder

Emission level/standards

EU 5 / LEV II

Max Power (bhp/kW/PS @ rpm)

505 / 377 / 512 @ 4200rpm

Max Torque (Ib-ft/Nm @ rpm)

752 / 1020 @ 1750rpm

Fuel

EU 95 to 98 RON US/ROW 92 to 98 RON

Battery (starter/hotel)

Main battery in boot H8 (92 Ah) AGM.

Starter battery in boot H4 (51Ah).

Alternator

210 A (water-cooled) Connected via LIN to battery management.


Performance (Seconds)

0-100 km/h (62 mph)

5.3

0-160 km/h (99 mph)

11.5

0-60 mph

5.1

0-100 mph

11.6

Maximum Speed (mph / km/h)

184 / 296


Prices

The new Bentley Mulsanne will make its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with sales to begin later in April. Prices will be announced at a later date.

Competition

With Maybach out of the picture, the only competitor for Bentley Mulsanne comes from Rolls Royce. The problem with the Mulsanne - strictly limited to its specifications - is that it is placed between the two models offered by Rolls Royce. For example Phantom is offered with a naturally aspirated 6.75-liter V-12 engine that develops 453 horsepower at 5,350 rpm and 531 pound-feet of torque, while Ghost->ke3434 gets a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V-12 engine that delivers 563 horsepower.

The $290k price however, transforms the Mulsanne into a competitor for the Ghost, as the Ghost comes with a retail price of $250k. Forget about Phantom because for it you will have to pay much more than $400k.