Geneva 2016: Bentley Mulsanne facelift and LWB variants to make show debut

Bentley has taken the wraps off the 2016 Mulsanne range, which now includes the refreshed Mulsanne, Mulsanne Speed, and, for the first time, an extended wheelbase variant for those who demand even more space at the rear. All three models will be showcased at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next month, presenting for the first time three distinct models in the Mulsanne family.

More than just a nip and tuck job, Bentley has comprehensively refreshed the Mulsanne for 2016. The most striking visual change is the new stainless steel vertical grille, which is now a chunk wider and extends all the way from the bonnet and below the new front bumper and is inspired by historic Bentleys like the 1950s R-Type Continental. There are also new floating LED lights which can light your way in Town, Country or Motorway mode, the outer lamps now come in line with the main  lights and there are new tail lights with a B-shaped signature and new rear bumper. A section of 21″ alloys round of the exterior changes.

Moving into the luxurious interior, customers can now specc it with either Fluted or Quilted leather in 24 different colour schemes. There’s a new 8″ infotainment system – which includes Apple CarPlay - and a new 2200 watt Naim sound system. In the back, there’s a pair of 10″ Android tablets built in to the back of the front seats. The analogue instrumentation for the driver still thankfully remains.

Of course the big news here is the new long-wheelbase (LWB) variant of the Mulsanne.  The longer Mulsanne features an extra 250mm between the wheels compared to the conventional cars, which is reputedly entirely to the benefit of the rear-seat passenger's legroom. As well as increased rear room, it also benefits from separate airline-style seats with electrically stowed leg rests and an ornate centre console, while optional folding tables serve to turn it into the mobile office that the top-level executive may require.

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The changes are less significant under the hood. The 2016 Mulsanne gets active engine mounts and suspension bushes to improve the power delivery and ride, while the tyres have been altered to cut rolling noise by 4dBA, but that’s about it. The twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 still thunders out 512PS and 1019Nm, all of which is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic. Top speed is 300 kmph and it will still do the 0-96 kmph sprint in 5.1 seconds – not too bad for a luxury barge that weighs around 2.7 tonnes.

The more powerful Mulsanne Speed, the V8 of which produces 537PS and 1100Nm, gets a recalibrated ZF 8-speed gearbox to grant improved responses. It still dispatches the 0-96 kmph sprint in the same 4.8sec as the previous version, and will reach the same 305 kmph.