But the weakness of the Mulsanne is that it is less a driver’s proposition than the old Arnage, by virtue of its attempt to compete directly with the Rolls Royce Phantom. The test car came with shiny cigar ash trays in the rear aimed at Chinese plutocrats. In this sense the Mulsanne is less driver-focused than the Continental range, and less passenger focused than a Phantom. It falls between those two stools.
Further complicating the matter is Bentley’s release of a brand new, 4 litre V8 boasting a 40% improvement in fuel economy and emissions – but it is aimed at the Continental range rather than the Mulsanne, which inevitably starts to look slightly antique by comparison.
Bentley Mulsanne V8 Auto – the low down
| P11D Value: | £ 224,815 |
| Monthly business rental (ex VAT): | From £4002 (3yrs/30,000 miles) |
| Tax Bands 2011/12 to 2013/14: | 35%, 35%, 35% |
| Benefit in kind 2011/12 to 2013/14: | £78,685, £78,685, £78,685 |
| Engine: | 6.75 litre V8 |
| CO2 Emissions: | 393g/km |
| Power/torque: | 505bhp/1020 Nm |
| 0-62mph/top speed: | 5.1 secs/184mph |
| Economy (official): | 16.8mpg |
