SimplyAbuDhabi X

The rest of the Mulsanne's imposing profile retains many of the expected Bentley touches, such as the long, sweeping bonnet, tall roof line and distinctive D pillars, yet the car also boasts elegant contemporary lines that set it apart from anything else on the road. It isn't exactly a compact car either. At just under 5.6m long, it’s around 350mm longer than Jaguar’s long-wheelbase XJ, and large even by Bentley’s own standards. Compared with its predecessor, the Arnage, it’s almost 200mm longer, although it has an identical claimed weight of 2585kg. The clever design of the Mulsanne’s body allows for some of that weightless growth. Sitting on a steel monocoque, it features lightweight superformed aluminium doors and front wings, a technique borrowed from the aerospace industry. However, despite the cutting-edge technology, some areas remain very distinctly traditional. The D-pillars, for instance, are so complex, they are created by coachbuilders in much the same way that the great Bentleys of old were constructed. It's attention to detail like this that makes driving a Bentley, or even riding in one, a truly unforgettable experience. With that in mind, it's high time to take a close look inside the Mulsanne. It takes over 172 hours to craft the interior of each Mulsanne, and nothing is overlooked. Take a look at the centre console. Underneath an eight-inch satellite navigation screen that, at the touch of a button, slides almost silently from behind a veneered door, you’ll find an incredibly discreet iPod connector. Completely concealed in a leather-lined, chrome-edged drawer, it’s a perfect example of the Mulsanne's intent: to deliver the very latest technology, and last word in comfort, to the Bentley owner in a rich, elegant and unmatched style. Leather of the highest quality (in a selection of 24 colours), beautiful metals and a choice of 9 different wood veneers in the cabin create an atmosphere that goes beyond sumptuousness and achieves an air of real warmth. Some limousines may come close to the Mulsanne’s spaciousness and specification, but no other produces the same air of relaxed, informal luxury for passenger and driver alike. Behind the wheel, the driving seat is comfortable and supportive, adjusting in 12 directions for the perfect position. A fairly large steering wheel, with a beautifully tactile veneer rim, also adjusts easily to suit your driving style. The fascia in front of you is just stunning. The dashboard, crafted from one seamless piece of glossy wood, is surrounded on all sides by soft leather and highlighted by polished stainless steel fittings. In a tasteful throwback to the 50s, Bentley's organ-stop ventilation controls are present and correct. The luxury of the rear cabin is just as impressive. Passengers sit comfortably in the eight-way adjustable heated seats, which are fitted as standard, and provide a maximum of 1050mm of legroom and 940mm of headroom. That's more space than any competitor can manage – if, of course, you consider that the Mulsanne actually has any competition. At this point though, let's return to the driver's seat. Historically Bentleys have always been about driving, rather than being the passenger, cossetted in the rear, (although the Mulsanne does that beautifully too!). Having done a little reading up beforehand, I had an idea of what to expect and already it sounded good, the Mulsanne’s powertrain being a totally refreshed version of Bentley’s already impressive 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8, now producing 505bhp and 752lb ft of torque. Other engines were considered, Bentley says, but dismissed because they wouldn’t produce the effortless low-rev torque that owners of grand Bentleys expect. And, let's face it, who doesn't love effortless low-rev torque? That engine is partnered with the most advanced eight-speed automatic gearbox from specialist ZF. Using this in the Mulsanne