It was the original Mulsanne that more or less saved Bentley nearly three decades ago, as the old-school barge was given a massive shot in the arm by way of adding a turbocharger to its 6.75-litre V8. The powered-up Mulsanne Turbo was a bona fide fire breather, yet maintained the cosseting luxury befitting its marque, and was a real commercial success.
The thicker-than-water bloodline between Bentley and Rolls-Royce has been severed since, although a version of that trusty block still powers the new Mulsanne. There's little shared componentry between the two engines, and the latest iteration has evolved greatly using modern technology, but the basic DNA of the original is there, more than half a century later.
A group test with the new Mulsanne's direct rivals would be a lonely affair. Apart from the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Phantom models, between which the new Bentley is pitched, there are no similar cars in its price range, but how will it stand up to objective appraisal?
As in the original Mulsanne, you'll find a lofty seating position in the new one, and the obligatory acreage of leather, wood, and a general plenitude of luxury. This is all well and good, but we'd hoped for something to challenge the elegantly innovative cabins of the two Rolls Royces. The Bentley's interior just seems a bit too obvious, with no touches of flair to surprise and delight.
505bhp and 752lb ft or torque tell the story of a truly epic power plant, but the grunt of the original, administered through a lazy three-speed auto 'box, is sometimes lost between the pauses of the new car's eight-speed self-shifter. Use the manual override paddles, though, and you can really give that thumping V8 a workout. Pace is available in spades, but the excellent refinement and composure keep things civilised for the occupants. At 2.6 tonnes, it's no lightweight, but the chassis yields a truly surprising degree of control, and tackling a twisty road at high speed is actually great fun. Of course, the hefty weight does limit this prowess, and the steering becomes vague on the limit, but the Mulsanne offers a supremely comfortable way to make swift progress through the countryside. The engine is characterful, too, being whisper-quiet while cruising but emitting a beefy growl under duress.
There are some flies in the ointment, though. Mostly hewn from steel, opposed to the Rollers' aluminium constructions, Bentley has taken a very relaxed attitude towards weight saving and, in turn, fuel economy. Other niggles are a boot that's far too small for this car's target owners, cumbersome doors that are an effort to close and seat cushions up front that aren't big enough to provide complete comfort. However, the new Mulsanne undoubtedly supplies a very high quality experience, and an enjoyably rapid one at that.