MOTOR-ZOOM
Bentley has unveiled their updated Mulliner lineup, which consists of plug-in hybrid versions of the Continental GT, Continental GTC, and Flying Spur. The upgrades also extend beyond the powertrain and include a handful of styling tweaks.
We’ll get to the latter in a moment, but all three cars are motivated by the company’s new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain. It consists of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, an electric motor, and a 25.9 kWh battery pack. This setup enables the all-wheel drive luxury vehicles to produce a combined output of 771 hp (575 kW) and (1,000 Nm) of torque.
Those impressive numbers allow the cars to hit (96 km/h) in as little as 3.1 seconds. Customers can also travel on electricity alone for up to (81 km) at speeds of up to (140 km/h). When depleted, the battery can be fully replenished in approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes with an 11 kW charger.
Putting the powertrain aside, all models wear a new Floating Diamond grille that features a chrome surround as well as a vertical bar. They’re joined by chromed air intakes, chrome side accents, chromed tailpipes, and Satin Silver mirror caps. The models also ride on special 22-inch wheels that have self-leveling Bentley Mulliner badges.
The Continental GT and GTC have Mulliner badging on the front fenders as well as headlights with a “new, unique and highly intricate ‘cut crystal’ reflector.” The Flying Spur, on the other hand, has a Flying B hood ornament as well as new front fender vents with “double-diamond detailing.”
Rounding out the exterior highlights are animated lighting sequences and new red-tinted taillights. 101 paint colors are available, although customers can get classic hues as well as bespoke paint-matching upon request.
The interiors largely carry over, but there are special seats with Mulliner embroidery as well as a new diamond perforation pattern. Bentley also noted the stitching pattern extends to the tonneau cover in the Continental GTC Mulliner and is visible whenever the roof is lowered.
More notably, the cars now come equipped with wellness front seats that sport postural adjustment and automatic climate control. The Flying Spur also adds the fancy seats out back to minimize passenger fatigue.
Last but not least, the climate control system now has air ionizers as well as a new particulate filter. The infotainment system also has new displays that show the air quality inside and outside the vehicle.
Bentley went on to say customers can expect an “even more impressive combination of performance, handling, and magic carpet refinement.” This is possible thanks to a “new dual valve damper system and dual chamber air springs,” which enable more sophisticated tuning options.
