The Mulsanne is not a new Bentley, says Richard Bremner in The Daily Telegraph. But the old model has been given a makeover with a wider, deeper grille, resculpted front wings and a new bonnet and bumpers. The result shouts "I've made it" louder than any other car on the road and gives off an unmissable aura of money.
Climb inside, and it gets more extravagant. Exquisitely stitched hides cover the seats, ceiling, door panels and more. The wood is lustrous, the metalwork beautifully crafted. Crystal champagne flutes and a modest fridge await you in the rear, or a built-in Android tablet if you're there to do work. Apart from the wanton luxury, the car is thrilling to drive too. It's hardly one for assaulting tight turns, but it steers with precision and is relentlessly fast and surprisingly good fun to drive.
It is notably more refined than the old model too, says John Howell in What Car magazine. Even over coarse surfaces there is barely any road noise at any speed, and there's only a hint of wind noise at speeds over 70mph. Accelerate hard and you'll hear the big, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, but that's a pleasant rumble you'll enjoy listening to.
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The quality of the finish is, as you'd expect, superb and the interior roomy and plush, with plenty of room no matter how tall you are. It's certainly a car "of the old school", says Antony Ingram in Evo magazine, but the driving experience is unlike that of virtually any other car. It has "huge appeal".
