In an era where luxury car manufacturers chase ever-smaller engines and hybrid powertrains, the 2012 Bentley Mulsanne stands as a magnificent anachronism. Here is a car that weighs nearly three tons, drinks fuel with aristocratic indifference, and makes no apologies for being exactly what it is: the last hurrah of old-school British luxury motoring.
A Return to Bentley’s Roots
The Mulsanne marked Bentley’s return to building their own engines after decades of sharing powerplants with other Volkswagen Group brands. At its heart lies a 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that traces its lineage back to the 1950s, yet has been thoroughly modernized for the 21st century. This is not just nostalgia packaged as progress; it’s a statement of intent from a brand rediscovering its identity.
Named after the famous corner at Le Mans where Bentley achieved racing glory in the 1920s, the Mulsanne carries the weight of history in every hand-stitched leather surface and carefully crafted wood veneer. This is a car built by artisans, not assembly line workers, with each example requiring over 170 hours of handwork to complete.
Power Meets Refinement
Despite its imposing 5.5-meter length and substantial mass, the Mulsanne moves with surprising urgency when called upon. The twin-turbocharged V8 produces 505 horsepower and an oceanic 752 lb-ft of torque, figures that allow this luxury liner to reach 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. More impressive than the acceleration figures is how effortlessly the Mulsanne delivers its performance, with seamless power delivery that never disrupts the serene cabin environment.
The eight-speed automatic transmission, developed specifically for this application, shifts with the discretion of a well-trained butler. You’re aware of the gear changes only by the subtle shift in engine note, never through any interruption in the car’s stately progress.
Craftsmanship Taken to Extremes
Step inside the Mulsanne and you enter a world where money truly seems no object. The leather comes from bulls raised at high altitude to minimize insect bites that would mar the hide. The wood veneers are book-matched and hand-polished to a mirror finish. Even the carpet is lamb’s wool, sourced from specific regions where the climate produces the finest fleece.
The attention to detail extends beyond materials to the actual construction. Each seat requires 18 hides to complete, with craftsmen selecting and color-matching each piece by hand. The dashboard alone takes three days to assemble, with wood veneers cut from single trees to ensure perfect grain matching across the entire cabin.
Technology Wrapped in Tradition
While the Mulsanne celebrates traditional craftsmanship, it doesn’t ignore modern expectations. The infotainment system, though not class-leading by contemporary standards, provides adequate connectivity and navigation functions. More impressive are the driving dynamics systems that somehow make this massive sedan feel composed through corners while maintaining its magic carpet ride quality on the highway.
The air suspension system constantly adjusts to road conditions, while the stability control systems work invisibly in the background to keep the Mulsanne’s considerable mass in line. It’s technology in service of the experience, rather than technology for its own sake.
The 2012 Bentley Mulsanne represents luxury motoring at its most uncompromising, a car that prioritizes presence and craftsmanship over efficiency or environmental concerns. In a world increasingly dominated by corporate spreadsheets and focus groups, the Mulsanne stands as a reminder that some things are worth preserving simply because they represent the very best of human craftsmanship and engineering ambition.
