Bentley Motors has unveiled the crowning jewel in its Heritage Collection, an 2020 Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase, meticulously crafted at Bentley’s Dream Factory in Crewe. This particular Mulsanne commissioned by the late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it was tailored for royal duties, showcasing an exterior adorned in solid Barnato green, complemented by an interior swathed in Twine and Cumbrian hide.
The opulence extends to Burr Walnut wood veneers and deep lambswool carpets, creating an ambiance fit for royalty. Privacy curtains were also added to the car, as was the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, which was inlaid into the door waist rails. On a more functional level, the front center armrest was removed to give Her Maj a place to put her handbag. Just ahead of that, a trap door hides a quintet of buttons that control the blue police lights, the sirens, and a bullhorn. A dedicated switch panel, cleverly hidden behind a walnut-veneered door, ensures functionality without compromising the car’s regal aesthetics.
The Bentley Mulsanne has etched its legacy as a symbol of opulence, craftsmanship, and regal splendor. Introduced in 1980 and reincarnated in 2009, the luxury sedan bid farewell to production in 2020, passing the baton to the Flying Spur as Bentley’s new flagship model.
Under the hood, is a robust 6.75-liter V8 engine, delivering 537 horsepower to the rear 21-inch wheels through an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic gearbox. This Mulsanne, the final of its kind, will join the prestigious Heritage Collection as the third and concluding chapter, standing alongside the second Mulsanne ever built, VIN 0002 from 2010, and a 2019 Mulsanne Speed that once served on Bentley’s press fleet, it forms part of a larger 45-car collection. This assemblage, two and a half years into a three-year rebuilding program, aims to comprehensively narrate Bentley’s illustrious 104-year history through its diverse family of cars.
All 7,300 Mulsannes were handcrafted at Bentley’s factory in Crewe. Today, the entire Heritage Collection is displayed and maintained at Bentley’s carbon-neutral Dream Factory in Crewe, England.