Vehicle: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne
Price as tested: US$313500
Performance: Before VW purchased Bentley into their umberlla of great brands, it was basically a poorly engineered rebadged Rolls Royce. Mulsanne is the latest prove that Bentley has the merits to stand on its own, while Rolls continues to roll out some of the ugliest cars under BMW’s roof.
Instead of using modern DOHC, Mulsanne relies on tradition pushrod technology. That doesn’t mean it isn’t good, in fact, such an OHV technology has been proven to the extent that even DOHC or SOHC can’t matched its durability and reliability. In Mulsanne’s case, its legendary 6.75 liter V8 mated with twin-turbochargers are able to boost up 505 ponies and, impressively, 752 lb/ft of torque, at driver’s right foot. Remember Bentley is a driver’s car, so all this has to be experience at your own. All have done without any sorts of annoying turbo lags when both turbochargers are spooling up this 2-tonnes British leather and wood-lined of traditional luxury. While we always complaint of 8-speed automatic having way too many damn gears. In a machine as luxurious and exquisite as Muslanne, we found its a completely different kind of story. The top 7th and 8th gears really have matched its pushrod V8 exceptionally well. Its all wrap up in a silky smooth, quiet and very special package which only able to afford by Bentley. If there is a drawback, however, its the shifter isn’t initutive at best. While its not as terribly uninitutive as BMW’s latest shifter design, its already get us annoyed.
Handling: The adjustable damper in Muslanne really have got what its worth. There are 3 settings available. The standard “Bentley” setting which we think it provides the best compromise between ride and handling. “Comfort” means its very softly sprung, almost like rolling in a Rolls Royce. The “Sport” has changed Muslanne’s characteristicis dramatically, as its suspension stiffened up, steering firms up and everything else is more in tuned with what driver’s needs when pushed. Given Muslanne’s very porky curb weight, it handles exceptionally well. While you won’t be mistaken Muslanne as a Golf GTI (as both are in VW’s ever growing family trees 
). It certainly have done what its worth when driven through twisties. In terms of ride comfort, there is nothing else ride like it. When mated to the latest iteration of ESP, Muslanne’s active safety equation pretty much sums up perfectly. Since driving a Bentley isn’t exactly like driving a R8, I don’t expect its ESP as uninstrusive as this super Audi either. 
The dynamic equation completed with rear-wheel-drive and ideal weight distribution, the Mulsanne is simply a delightful icing on the cake by any standards.
Brakes: Given Mulsanne’s weight, its braking performance is amazing. The stopping distance is short while pedal feels solid while confidence-inspiring. The spongy pedal of Bentley in the bad old days have gone for much more reassuring brake feel. It also doesn’t generate much fades after a couple of hard stops.
Interior: There are regular luxury cars and then there is Bentley. Bentley’s craftsmanship is nothing but world-class. As we have experienced with possibly the best leather hides we have ever sat on. Those leather hides are soft, supple with smell that has to be experienced to be appreciated. Then add the wood trim layers which are both thick, while matching on all sides. The stitches on the leather-wrapped steering is nothing short of amusing when it comes to attention-to-details.
Conclusion: Having spent a great deal of time behind the wheel of Mulsanne, its really hard to give the key back to Bentley. The sublime combination of performance, drivability, craftsmanship and style is simply extraordinary. This is the simple testament to the world, on which Bentley is nothing less than a world-class engineered piece of art on wheels. That means something Rolls simply won’t be able to duplicate under different parent company.
Competitions:
Rolls Royce Ghost
Mercedes S600
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Bentley Mulsanne
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5
Overall rating: 4.5/5