Bentley is bidding adieu to the Mulsanne luxury sedan in the most fitting way possible. The British automaker is launching a special edition Mulsanne called the 6.75 Edition. Only 30 units of the Mulsanne 6.75 Edition and, in keeping with Bentley’s tradition of dressing up its special edition models to the nines, the limited-run Mulsanne comes with enough exclusive touches in the exterior and interior to justify its special edition billing.

Bentley hasn’t announced a release timetable for the Mulsanne 6.75, but with the Mulsanne’s production run ending this year, expect the 6.75 Edition to arrive within the year.

What is the Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition?

But like all things old and new, the aging Mulsanne has to step down and vacate its place atop the automaker’s model hierarchy. The Mulsanne’s departure isn’t at all surprising, and if you’ve been paying attention to recent automaker trends, neither is Bentley’s decision to pay homage to its flagship model. This is where the Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition takes center stage.

The 30-unit special edition model is Bentley’s farewell ode to the Mulsanne. It’s decked with many exclusive details and features, covering significant real estate in the exterior and interior of the Bentley limousine. Now that the Mulsanne’s watch has ended, the 6.75 Edition serves as the model’s final curtain call before the third-generation Flying Spur takes its place atop the Bentley model lineup.

What Takes Over as Bentley's Flagship Sedan?

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The good news is that the hole will be filled up soon by the Bentley Flying Spur. It’s a great alternative — is the Flying Spur even an 'alternative'? — to the Mulsanne for several reasons.

First, we’re talking about the third-generation Flying Spur, which was only unveiled in June 2019. Having an all-new model sit at the top of Bentley’s lineup is a good move for the British automaker, especially if said model will follow in the footsteps of the Mulsanne. The third-generation Flying Spur fits that bill. It’s been completely overhauled and is now built on a brand-new platform. It carries a more posh and luxurious design and it sits on a slightly longer wheelbase compared to its predecessor.

Most importantly, the third-generation Flying Spur comes with multiple engine options, though, for now, Bentley’s signature 6.0-liter twin-turbo W-12 engine will be the only powertrain available. That mill produces 626 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to a dual-clutch transmission and a launch-control program, the new Flying Spur can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 3.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 207 mph.

2020 Bentley Flying Spur drivetrain specifications

Another version, potentially a plug-in hybrid, is also reportedly in the works. We’ve seen spy photos of this particular model doing test runs shortly after the third-gen Flying Spur’s debut back in June 2019. What’s also unclear at this point is the kind of setup it will carry. Bentley currently doesn’t have its own plug-in hybrid powertrain so there’s a good chance that it could source that setup from a model like the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. The hybrid Panamera relies on a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine, an electric motor, and a 14-kWh battery pack.

Only time will tell if this setup finds its way into the new Bentley Flying Spur, but if Bentley really wants the model to shine and get comfortable as the new flagship, a hybrid version doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all.

What Makes the 6.75 Edition Stand Out Compared to Other Mulsannes?

From the outside, the Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition looks just like any other Mulsanne. Of course, the standards by which the Mulsanne sits on is absurdly high so even if you didn’t think this was a special edition model, the mere fact that it’s a Mulsanne should be enough to capture your attention.

It all starts in the exterior where the luxury limousine comes with chrome-trimmed headlights and taillights. The grille, exhaust outlets, and Bentley’s Flying B logo, on the other hand, are all decked in a dark tint, creating a nice contrast with the chrome trim. The grille, in particular, is called 'Mulliner Serenity,' in case you’re interested in that particular tidbit. The Mulsanne 6.75 Edition also rides on a set of 21-inch five-spoke wheels with gloss black pockets. Pop open the hood and you’ll find a neat surprise there, too. The engine intake is dressed in black instead of the traditional silver.

Step inside the special edition luxury limousine and you’ll be greeted by what is arguably one of the most luxurious car interiors in the auto industry. I’m not going to spend too much time drooling over the plush leather that covers most of the cabin’s surface area. I will point out that the seats come with the '6.75 Edition' embroidery.

In keeping with the theme, Bentley — or is it Mulliner? — designed the ventilation controls to look like an engine oil cap. There’s also a cutaway of the power plant on the face of the clock and gauges on the center console, adding more unique identifiers to the model’s special edition identity. The best part, though, is the welcome light setup. Open the door of the Mulsanne and the welcome lights project the 6.75 Edition logo on the ground.

While I didn’t expect Bentley to give the Mulsanne 6.75 Edition an aftermarket vibe with those welcome lights, it goes without saying that the setup exudes the kind of special edition identity that Bentley is known for. I’ll be the first to say that the 6.75 Edition isn’t the most eye-catching special edition model Bentley has done in recent memory, but it is a tribute to the Mulsanne, one of the most unassuming luxury cars in the market. In that sense, it is fitting that the exclusive touches aren’t as flashy as we thought they’d be. Most are understated to the point that even if you don’t notice them, their presence looms large, just like the Mulsanne.

How Many Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Editions Will be Built?

It’s not a huge production number by any stretch, but then again, this is Bentley we’re talking about. Rarely does the British luxury car brand create a special edition model that exceeds 100 units. That’s part of the prestige of owning a Bentley, and when you consider that the 6.75 Edition is effectively a swan-song tribute to the Mulsanne, don’t be surprised that there are only 30 units that will be made available. If you think about it, 30 units might actually be too many for a special edition model like this. Pricing details have yet to be revealed, but just as sure as the days are longer in the summertime, expect the Mulsanne 6.75 Edition to fetch more than the standard $300,000 Mulsanne.

Does the Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition Have Any Performance Upgrades?

The Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition does not come with any power and performance enhancements. That shouldn’t come as a shock to all of you. A lot — if not all — of special edition Bentleys in the past didn’t receive any engine upgrades so why should this particular SE get one? Considering that the 6.75 Edition gets its name from the sedan’s 6.75-liter V-8 engine, it would seem counter-intuitive to present a tuned-up version of the same V-8 engine in a special edition model that’s partly around to celebrate the said engine.

As such, the Mulsanne Speed’s power-packed V-8 engine will still produce 530 horsepower and a whopping 811 pound-feet of torque. If you think that’s not enough power for a car of this stature, you’ll need to reevaluate your life choices. The 530-horsepower Mulsanne Speed can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 190 mph. Mind you, we’re talking about a luxury sedan that weighs a hair short of 6,000 pounds. For the Mulsanne Speed to hit those performance numbers while packing the weight it does is nothing short of remarkable. The Mulsanne 6.75 Edition does not need any power and performance upgrades. Not by a long shot.

Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition specifications

Final Thoughts

It seemed like it was only yesterday when Bentley launched the Mulsanne. I remember reading the press release Bentley sent my way and wondered if it was smart for the British luxury car maker to go all-in on a flagship luxury limousine at a time when the auto industry was still trying to get back on its feet. Well, call me wrong because I am. Not only did the Mulsanne succeed, but it also thrived as Bentley’s ultimate model for a clean decade. A few updates happened over the years, but Bentley was able to keep the Mulsanne fresh enough to sustain its production life. That’s a testament to Bentley and also the Mulsanne. So it’s fitting, even deserved that the Mulsanne gets a proper curtain call in the form of the 6.75 Edition.

The special edition Mulsanne isn’t the flashiest SE Bentley has rolled out in recent years, but its status and identity is secure. The Mulsanne will ride off into the sunset soon, leaving its mark in a segment where not a lot of people thought it would last long enough to accomplish it.