Yes, you read that right. There's a new flagship from Crewe. Bentley are back with a revised and expanded model line up of the opulent Continental GT series. This is the first major shake up of the third generation 'Conti GT' - first released in 2018 - since the covers were removed off last years performance orientated Continental GT Speed. And boy have Bentley gone to town in extending their roster; the 'Azure', 'S', 'Speed' and standard model make up the new selection, but it is the new range topper 'Mulliner', displayed at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, which Bentley themselves recognize as the pick of the bunch.
Matching the GT Speed model in terms of raw numbers, there is certainly no shortage of pace in the Mulliner. As if there ever would be on any Bentley and as the name suggests, this model is draped in grandeur from the historically famed Mulliner department. By marrying the performance of the Speed model with the Mulliner treatment, the CGT Mulliner unquestionably epitomizes everything a grand tourer should be; the swiftest, most dynamic, and most luxurious package yet as Bentley put it; it is perhaps the closest to a Bentley Bacalar most of us will see.
Mulliner Packs Supercar Performance In A Grand Tourer
Weighing in well over 2,000 kg (4,400 lb), the CGT Mulliner is no lightweight by any means but will glide through the best curviest of country lanes thanks to standard fit three chamber air suspension with adaptive damping, Bentley Dynamic Ride and Bentayga derived 48V anti-roll bars, whereby electric motors deliver up to 1300 Nm in 0.3 seconds counteracting cornering forces to keep the frame stable. Seems reserved so far, right? Until you realize up front sits a dynamic Bentley exclusive 6.0 Liter W12 engine.
Select from the 4 driving modes the most exhilarating; SPORT mode which is calibrated with rear biased torque split (rather than the Bentley or Comfort mode in which grip is balanced between the front and rear wheels for a softer ride) and experience a blistering thrust of 650 horsepower at 5,000-6,000 rpm and 900 NM (or 664 lb-ft) at 1,500-5000 rpm from a twin turbocharged 12-cylinder engine. You may notice the previous highest powered CGT TFSI W12 engine packed 'only' 626hp. The 24hp increase - result of an ECU tweak from Bentley's engineers going the extra mile - sees peak speed increase to 208mph, with the 0-62mph time reduced to just 3.6sec.
Opt for the toned down but sufficient 4.0 liter V8 for an impressive 542 BHP at 6000 RPM and 568 lb-ft at 2,000-4,500, which will reach 60 in 3.9 seconds and go all the way up to 198mph. Questionable why the W12 alternative is offered when the V8 almost reaches 200mph especially where economy is bettered in the V8; 23.3 MPG plays 20.6 MPG according to WLTP.
Plenty Of Goodies Around The Chassis
Blinding speeds, however don't come without safety and stopping power. The Mulliner can be specced with new Carbon Ceramic Brakes while an Electronic Limited Slip Differential is introduced. Commonly found in supercars the eLSD allows for torque vectoring across the rear which contributes to corner exiting traction aiding all drivers to experiment with the slip and balance of the car on the throttle confidently.
Additionally, the CGT Mulliner is equipped with electronic rear wheel steering, which is characteristically pretty regular on top models nowadays but nevertheless impressive, bolstering maneuvering ability at low speeds and improving stability at high speeds. The Electronic All-Wheel Steering enhances the dynamic nature of the Continental GT Mulliner W12 in each of the driving modes. Combining these goodies underneath accounts for 'a level of agility unlike any other Bentley road car' according to Bentley, resulting in a maximum of 4 degrees of steering lock (maximum angular range) across the rear wheels which is damn nifty for a road going car.
The Continental GT Mulliner Interior Defines Luxury
The Mulliner retains a reserved swooping curved look from the standard CGT, like a true classic grand tourer. Exterior upgrades such as a new ‘Double Diamond’ matrix grille with complementary matching front fender vents both finished in bright chrome or gloss black (part of the Mulliner Blackline Specification), satin silver/black mirror caps and 10-spoke 22” Mulliner wheels are minor upgrades. It is the interior whereby Mulliner apply their magic. Straight in on entry you are welcomed by Mulliner Welcome Lamps and illuminated outer door sills with Mulliner script.
Mulliner offer an interior color split is unique to the car combining primary and secondary color hide tempered by a third bonding color which can be individually selected by the customer from an extensive suite of Bentley exclusive colors. These colors are quilted by a “Diamond in Diamond” design enveloping the seats, doors trims and rear quarter panels. Bentley claim the embroidery process takes 18 months which is easy to comprehend once you find out there are nearly 400,000 stitches in total.
Other interior enhancements include Mulliner embossing on the seats, floor mat micro-piping, indented hide roof trimming, a diamond dressed center console 'flanked by Grand Black walnut veneer' and the choice of 88 wooden trim options. The centerpiece of the cabin for many will be the bespoke Breitling clock finished in brushed metal however, which adds priceless class to the model.
The Continental GT Mulliner Is The Best Grand Tourer
The Mulliner reminds us, the CGT is still the best in its class. Recent challengers have come far and few between with the Ferrari Roma arguably the only other car giving the CGT a run for its money. It is bad news for half-hearted attempts from McLaren GT which has evidently failed in the GT sector but again shows how Bentley are simply owning this sector.
Had enough? Thought not. Head to the Bentley configurator and spec your perfect Mulliner in exclusive exterior finishes from Light Windsor Blue to White Sand.
Source: Bentley Motors