Bentley Mulsanne (1980–1992)

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The Bentley Mulsanne is a large (performance)

Contrary to its predecessors, the Bentley Mulsanne was given an actual name instead of a letter, but otherwise started like just another rebadged Rolls-Royce model, this time copied from their Silver Spirit. However, with the launch of the 'Brooklands' version, and the 1982 Mulsanne Turbo – with 50 percent more horsepower – the Mulsanne did start the rebuild of an appealing individual Bentley brand image.

Mulsanne

In 1980, the

The Mulsanne initially shared the same carburetted 6+3⁄4-litre (6,750 cc; 412 cu in) Rolls-Royce V8 engine with aluminium alloy cylinder heads with the Silver Spirit, carried over from the Silver Shadow II and Bentley T2. In 1982 however, a turbocharged version with much more power and torque was also introduced – for Bentley only – in the Mulsanne Turbo.

From 1986, the two SU

The Mulsanne Turbo was launched at the

A total of 498 standard wheelbase and 18 long-wheelbase Mulsanne Turbos were built, until they were replaced by the Bentley Turbo R in 1985, which used a fuel injected version of the same 63⁄4 litre V8 engine since 1987.

A British racing green Turbo has been used in the two James Bond novels

]

Mulsanne S

The Mulsanne S was introduced in 1987. Although this model lacked its turbocharger, many of its other details were similar to the Turbo R, including that car's alloy wheels and interior, and the suspension was firmed up for a more sporting ride. The rectangular headlamps from the 1980s gave way to quad round units for 1989, and the model was produced until 1992.

Mulsanne V16

The BMW Goldfisch V16 engine was tested in the Bentley Mulsanne as a potential "upgrade" from the turbocharged V8 engine. Unlike the BMW 7 Series, the engine fit in the bay with room for radiator and ancillaries but it was never sold to the public.^[1]

Derivative models

The Mulsanne was based on the

Silver Spur introduced at the same time. It would be the basis for all Bentley models until the 1998 introduction of the Arnage

.

Production

Model	Years	Total Production	Short wheelbase	Long wheelbase	Limousine
Mulsanne	1980–1987	533	482	49	2
Mulsanne Turbo		516	498	18
Mulsanne S[2]	1987–1992	970	909	61
Total		2,019	1,889	128	2

External links

• Bentley-Talk: Exclusive Bentley Community and Forum

References

1. ^ "Engine Types Explained: V16 Engine". Motor Car Net. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
2. ^ Roßfeldt, K.-J. "Bentley Mulsanne S (1987-1992)". Roßfeldt Archives. Retrieved 29 November 2013.

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