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 doesnโt 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, youโd 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 youโd 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 โDouble Diamondโ 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 โ just to remind you this ainโt no ordinary Conti.
But itโs inside where Bentley has really gone to town. The cabin is based around the Mulliner Driving Specification, which comes with โDiamond in Diamondโ leather quilting on the seats, doors and rear inside quarter panels. Bentley loves its stitches, which is why itโs crammed 400,000 into the Mullinerโs cabin, each diamond requiring 712 individual stitches. You can choose the colour of the stitches yourself if you really want - though itโll come at a hefty price - or you can stick with one of the eight different three-colour combinations for the Mullinerโs cabin.
So thatโs 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 youโre feeling very brave and want to take your Mulliner out on track, though it will cost you extra.
Not that itโll make much of a dent given how much itโll cost. While thereโs no official word yet from Bentley, the GT Speed comes in at around ยฃ210,000, and the Mulliner will naturally carry a pretty chunky premium. If thatโs a bit out of reach, then fear not. The GT Mulliner will be making its public debut at this weekโs Goodwood Festival of Speed, so at least weโll get to see it in motion โ even if itโs not from the driverโs seat.
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