The Bentley Mulsanne was Bentley’s flagship luxury sedan in two eras: from 1980 to 1992, when it helped revive Bentley’s sporting identity, and from 2010 to 2020, when it was the most formal and hand-built car in the range. It was named after the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans, where the Bentley Boys raced to victory in the 1920s. The final Mulsanne was also the last car to use Bentley’s legendary 6¾-litre V8, an engine family that had been in production since 1959.

Mulsanne at a glance
First Mulsanne 1980–1992 (with Mulsanne Turbo from 1982)
Second Mulsanne 2010–2020
Engine 6.75-litre V8 (turbocharged versions)
Named after The Mulsanne Straight, Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans
Built Crewe, England

The 1980 Mulsanne and the turbo revival

The first Mulsanne was, underneath, a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit with a Bentley grille — typical of the era when Bentleys were badge-engineered Rolls-Royces. The breakthrough came in 1982 with the Mulsanne Turbo, which bolted a turbocharger to the V8 and gave the heavy sedan startling performance. It was followed by the Turbo R in 1985, with firmer suspension (“R” for roadholding). These cars reminded buyers that Bentley stood for speed as well as luxury, and they paved the way for Bentley’s separate identity. Read Rolls-Royce vs Bentley.

The 2010 Mulsanne

After the Arnage, Bentley’s new flagship revived the Mulsanne name. It was the first Bentley flagship designed entirely by Bentley since the 1930s, rather than shared with Rolls-Royce. Highlights:

  • A heavily updated 6¾-litre twin-turbo V8 with enormous low-speed torque.
  • Hand-built construction at Crewe, with extensive hand-stitching and veneer work.
  • A Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase version (2016) with extra rear legroom and reclining rear seats, aimed at chauffeur-driven owners.
  • The high-performance Mulsanne Speed.

The end of an engine

The Mulsanne’s production ended in 2020, and with it the Rolls-Royce/Bentley L-series V8, first introduced in 1959 in the Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2. After more than six decades, the engine family was retired. Bentley’s current flagship role is filled by the Flying Spur.

The Mulsanne Straight

The straight itself is a long section of public road near Le Mans, France, where cars reached extreme speeds in the 24-hour race. Chicanes were added in 1990 to slow cars. Read about the Bentley Boys at Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.