2018 Bentley Mulsanne Speed Review

In Malaysia's luxury car market, the Bentley Mulsanne series has always occupied a unique position with its combination of ultimate luxury and performance. The 2018 Mulsanne Speed is a more performance-oriented version of this series. Its core selling points are clear: the 6.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that delivers 537 horsepower, along with enhanced driving performance on top of its luxury. The purpose of this test drive is to see if this multi-million luxury sedan can simultaneously meet users' dual demands for comfort and speed.

From the exterior, the Mulsanne Speed maintains Bentley's iconic stately style, but with a touch of sportiness in the details. The front grille features a wide vertical chrome design, complemented by sharp LED headlights on both sides, resulting in high recognizability. The side profile is sleek, with a length of 5575mm and a wheelbase of 3266mm giving the vehicle an especially grand appearance. The 10-spoke alloy wheels add a hint of dynamism to the composed body. The rear design is relatively simple, with oval-shaped LED taillights echoing the front headlights. The dual exhaust pipes on either side imply its performance pedigree. Overall, the design meets the dignified feel of a luxury car while highlighting the identity of "Speed" with detailed elements.

Sitting inside, the first impression is the luxurious materials. The dashboard, inner door panels, and seats are covered with leather, offering a delicate texture, while the addition of wood veneer enhances the interior quality. The central control layout is driver-focused, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen embedded that offers smooth operation. The retention of physical buttons makes common functions more intuitive to control. The seats are designed to be very spacious, with the front seats supporting multi-directional electric adjustments along with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, making long journeys comfortable. The rear space is a highlight of this vehicle. The 3266mm wheelbase provides rear-seat passengers ample legroom, with even a 180cm tall passenger having about two fists of distance between the knees and the front seat back. The rear is also equipped with independent air conditioning and power outlets, enhancing practicality.

In terms of performance, the 6.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine's output is truly impressive. The 537 horsepower and 1,100 Nm of torque (based on Bentley's official data) allow this 2.6-ton car to deliver a strong pushback feeling right from the start. The matched 8-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, even during sudden acceleration, without noticeable jerks. There are comfort, sport, and custom driving modes to choose from. When switched to sport mode, the throttle response becomes sharper and the transmission's shifting logic becomes more aggressive, making overtaking very easy. Bentley's official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 4.9 seconds. During actual testing, flooring the pedal in sport mode caused slight tire slippage at the start, but traction was quickly regained, and the acceleration process was consistent and powerful, completely unlike what you would expect from a large luxury sedan.

In terms of handling, the Mulsanne Speed performed beyond expectations. The steering wheel offers moderate resistance and precise control. Despite its large body size, it maintains good stability when navigating corners. The suspension system adopts air suspension, which filters out road bumps thoroughly in comfort mode, giving almost no noticeable body shakes. When switched to sport mode, the suspension stiffens, providing better support, and cornering body roll is greatly reduced. The braking system also performs excellently. The brake pedal feedback is linear, and during emergency braking, the car's posture remains stable, with braking distances kept within a reasonable range.

In terms of comfort, the performance of this car meets the standards of a luxury vehicle. The use of double-layer soundproof glass ensures excellent noise control inside the cabin, so even at high speeds, wind and tire noise won’t interfere with conversations among passengers. The seat padding is soft yet provides sufficient support, ensuring no fatigue even during long drives. However, it’s worth noting that in sport mode, the engine noise becomes more noticeable inside the cabin. While this might be enjoyable for driving enthusiasts, those who seek ultimate silence may need to switch to comfort mode.

As for fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption of this car is 15.9L/100km. In actual driving, the fuel consumption in urban areas is about 18-20L/100km, while on highways it can drop to around 13L/100km. For a large-displacement luxury car, such fuel consumption is within the normal range, as the power output justifies it.

In summary, the core advantage of the 2018 Mulsanne Speed lies in its "balance"—it offers both the comfort and quality expected of a million-dollar luxury car, as well as performance comparable to sports cars. Compared to its peer, the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the Mulsanne Speed has an edge in terms of power, while its price is relatively more affordable (with a recommended retail price of RM 1,336,800 in the Malaysian market). This car is suitable for those who need a luxury sedan fit for business settings but also occasionally want to indulge in the joy of driving, such as business owners or high-level professionals.

Overall, the Mulsanne Speed is a "well-rounded" luxury sedan. It doesn’t compromise luxury for performance, nor does it sacrifice driving pleasure for comfort. If you have the budget and are looking for a car that is both presentable and capable of fulfilling your driving desires, then this car is worth considering.