With the end of its production getting near and no new model planned, Bentley gave the Mulsanne a thorough update in 2016 as the final send off. The 2017 Mulsanne Speed gets some amazing exterior design upgrades which put it shoulder to shoulder even with the last generation of Bentleys in terms of looks. Interior isn’t spared either with even more bespoke details than before, and then some thanks to the Speed trim. Furthermore, the iconic 6.75 liter V8 which powered virtually all Bentleys since the ‘70s gets more power than ever with the 2017 Mulsanne Speed and at the same time becomes even more efficient making it the ultimate iteration of the ancient powerhouse. Suspension had been updated in 2016 and then slightly revised for the 2017 Mulsanne Speed for a more engaging driving experience. All those changes resulted with the Mulsanne Speed costing substantially more than the standard model, but today, that price difference has all but disappeared making it a much better option for customers who prefer driving instead of being chauffeured. Now, before we take things further, check out the examples currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader.
The name Speed can be found on Bentley models since 2007 when it was first seen on a Continental GT and later on the Flying Spur. And while the name doesn’t imply that the model is far ahead of the model its based on, it was still enough for the Continental GT to become the fastest Bentley ever two times, and the for the Flying Spur to become the fastest Bentley sedan three times. The 2017 Mulsanne Speed, however, doesn’t break any such records, but it doesn’t have to. Being the brand’s flagship since it came out in 2010 and until it went out of production in 2020 the Mulsanne is special enough on its own. Not to mention it’s the only Bentley model to be entirely developed in house without sharing its platform or engines with any other brands since 1930. And the 2017 Mulsanne Speed is the pinnacle of the model lineup as it’s the fastest and most powerful iteration made, plus it also sports both the 2014 and 2016 updates which make it far more advanced than the initial models years.
The 2017 Mulsanne Speed isn’t that much different inside from the standard model, at least not unless the customer went for the optional Speed color split. The same basic color split can be found on all Bentley Speed models and it includes a contrasting leather inside of the dashboard and center console trim outline. It’s fairly subtle, but at the same time it gives the interior much more character. The same color is then extended into the contrasting stitching all around, including the seat quilting. An optional quilted roof liner was also available on the 2017 Mulsanne Speed. The leather wrapped shifter was replaced with a knurled metal one and that’s about it while carbon fiber trim was another new option. And other than the metal door sills with Speed written on them instead of Mulsanne, that’s about it. However, the 2016 update brought new glass switchgear, a much more advanced infotainment system with a touch screen, Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Moreover, there is little to no parts sharing with VW inside and the interior is entirely hand built which takes around 150 hours from start to finish, plus 40 interior parts are entirely hand made.
The 2017 Mulsanne Speed was never meant to be a sports sedan despite being the faster model. That’s why the exterior changes are hardly noticeable because making the Mulsanne sporty just wouldn’t be natural, plus that’s not what the typical Mulsanne customer is after. Still, the 2017 Mulsanne Speed exterior is still distinguishable. Starting at the front, the outer bumper intakes now featured integrated fog lights. Down the side, new and bespoke 21 inch five spoke wheels make the bulky Mulsanne look lighter than it is. And in the rear, the giant oval exhausts now have matte black riffles inside, the devil is in the details I guess, or in this case, inside the exhaust tips. Oh, and the tail lights are slightly tinted. Apart from that, the 2017 Mulsanne Speed looks just like any other Mulsanne, which is perfect. The 2016 update brought about full LED headlights with daytime running lights plus vertical grille bars instead of a mesh. Those two, coupled with a new, more aggressive bumper, make the Mulsanne’s front end look just as modern as the current Bentley lineup. The 2016 flying B tail lights are also a very nice detail. Overall, the 2017 Mulsanne Speed design is just as it should be, modern and perfectly elegant with a bit of spice.
As we have already seen, everything about the 2017 Mulsanne Speed is excessive and its powertrain is no different. The 6.75 liter, twin turbocharger giant living under its hood is now even more powerful with 530 horsepower. While that may not sound like much, its ancient engine is all about torque and it churns out 811 lb-ft which is 60 lb-ft more than before. Even more impressively, all that torque is still available at just 1,750 RPMs as it used to be. The old lump had also become more sophisticated over years and now includes cylinder deactivation helping it achieve 19 mpg which is more than impressive. Even more so when we consider that the 2017 Mulsanne Speed weighs over 5,700 lbs. All the extra power results with a 4.6 second 0-60 time and 196 mph top speed putting the 2017 Mulsanne Speed very close to most sports sedans of its time. Firmer air suspension, active engine mounts and different driving modes also make it more fun to drive quickly even though it will never be a canyon carver.
While the standard Mulsanne was by no means cheap with a starting price of around $280,000, the 2017 Mulsanne Speed entered a completely new territory as its price jumped to $330,000 before options. A fully optioned Mulsanne Speed would have set the owner back just over $370,000, and we are talking factory options without any special wishes. Today, the 2017 Mulsanne Speed doesn’t come up for sale that often but asking prices usually sit at around $150,000 to $180,000 which is barely more expensive than a normal Mulsanne.
Ultimately, the 2017 Mulsanne Speed is one of the most impressive cars Bentley had ever made and it really shows that it was its flagship aimed at the Rolls Royce Phantom. But unlike the Phantom, a Mulsanne, especially a Mulsanne Speed, is built to be driven which still puts it in its own category. And by now, we all know that far from being the only thing that makes it special. Lastly, if you are looking to buy a 2017 Mulsanne Speed or any other luxury car, Exotic Car Trader can help you out. With escrow protection, delivery and first inspection, little to nothing can go wrong when buying a car through Exotic Car Trader. The same goes if you use Exotic Car Trader to sell you current vehicle, only in that case the process becomes even more convenient.
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