Bentley performed some form of witchcraft when it launched the Continental GT Speed last year. Somehow it managed to take a 2.3-tonne coupe and turn it into a car that doesn’t get in a huff when you show it some twisty tarmac. But what if you take the dynamics of the Speed and mash it with all the luxurious bits from the even fancier Azure? Well, you’d get this: the new Continental GT Mulliner.
Admittedly, you might not be able to spot all the differences at once, given that the regular Continental GT is hardly what you’d call rudimentary - but there are a few areas to look out for. For instance, the Mulliner gets a new grille with what Bentley calls its ‘Double Diamond’ finish, which is echoed at the base of the wings behind the front wheels and surrounds a Mulliner badge. The wing mirrors also project the Mulliner name on the floor when you open the doors – just to remind you this ain’t no ordinary Conti.
But it’s inside where Bentley has really gone to town. The cabin is based around the Mulliner Driving Specification, which comes with “Diamond in Diamond” leather quilting on the seats, doors and rear inside quarter panels. Bentley loves its stitches, which is why it’s crammed 400,000 into the Mulliner’s cabin, each diamond requiring 712 individual stitches. You can choose the colour of the stitches yourself if you really want - though it’ll come at a hefty price - or you can stick with one of the eight different three-colour combinations for the Mulliner’s cabin.
So that’s the luxury side covered, but what about actually driving the thing? Well, Bentley has carried over bits that made the GT Speed great to the Mulliner, including, most notably, the 6.0-litre W12 that churns out 659hp and 664lb ft of torque. Three-chamber air suspension with adaptive dampers is standard fit, along with a tweaked version of the 48V anti-roll system and all-wheel steering. Carbon cermamic brakes are also available if you’re feeling very brave and want to take your Mulliner out on track, though it will cost you extra.
Not that it’ll make much of a dent given how much it’ll cost. While there’s no official word yet from Bentley, the GT Speed comes in at around £210,000, and the Mulliner will naturally carry a pretty chunky premium. If that’s a bit out of reach, then fear not. The GT Mulliner will be making its public debut at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, so at least we’ll get to see it in motion – even if it’s not from the driver’s seat.
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