A Blurb on the soon to be on sale Bentley Mulsanne from the Bentley website:

“Something large, fast, refined and comfortable. This philosophy resonates deeply at Bentley and has, over time, created a legacy that embodies all of these characteristics: record-breaking feats, daring exploits and a host of exquisitely handcrafted and beautifully engineered cars. Now, more than 90 years later, the all-new flagship Bentley Mulsanne embodies W.O Bentley’s passion. It is a powerful and elegant driver’s car like nothing else on the road.”

It is good news that Bentley is coming out with a replacement for the Arnage, which has been around since the end of the last century. It will have the usual Bentley 6.75-litre V8 but it is redesigned with modern features so that it will meet Euro 5 emissions regulation as well as being lighter and with ‘new’ technology like cylinder de-activation and variable cam timing. Looks like Bentley has decided to leave the 1950s at last. Not that I really care, as I always loved the old 6.75-litre engine that has been around basically unchanged since those days in the pre-split up with Rolls Royce, especially in its Turbocharged form in the Turbo R versions. I have had the pleasure of listening to a 1970s Rolls Royce Corniche being started a few years ago and it is a characterful V8 lump. Not as silent as you think as it burbles like a traditional V8. (more…)

Bentley is a car manufacturer that trades on its history and tradition perhaps more than any other. But new developments at the British-based firm are set to shock loyal fans.

Under VW ownership, new models like the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Mulsanne have revived a luxury brand that was long confined to adapting and up-rating Rolls Royce models.

But in a bid to drive sales to new highs, bosses are starting to look at taking the firm into new territory through two ground-breaking new projects, inspiration for which seems to have come from fellow VW Group stable-mate Porsche.

Diesel power

Fresh from launching the all-new Mulsanne and revised Continental GT, Bentley has hinted that its next move will be to develop its first diesel engine in its 92-year history. (more…)