Which Bentley Mulsanne Version Should You Buy?
The Bentley Mulsanne version to choose depends on whether you prioritize performance, lower fuel consumption, or the character of the earlier car. The strongest choice in the supplied specifications is the 6.8 AT with 537 hp: it delivers 1,100 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.8–4.9 seconds, and has a 305 km/h top speed.
The Bentley Mulsanne version to choose depends on whether you prioritize performance, lower fuel consumption, or the character of the earlier car. The strongest choice in the supplied specifications is the 6.8 AT with 537 hp: it delivers 1,100 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.8–4.9 seconds, and has a 305 km/h top speed. The 6.8 AT with 512 hp is slightly less powerful but, in the restyled model, matches the stronger version’s combined consumption of 14.6 l/100 km. The first-generation 6.8 AT versions are much slower, use a 3-speed Automatic rather than an 8-speed Automatic, and appeal mainly to buyers specifically seeking the earlier specification.
Bentley Mulsanne generations and versions
The Mulsanne in this catalogue covers three listed production periods but two numbered generations. Every version is a Sedan, uses Gasoline, and has RWD.
The first generation, produced from 1980 to 1993, contains two versions, both named 6.8 AT. The naturally aspirated version produces 218 hp, while the Turbo version produces 295 hp. Both use a 6,750 cc, 8-cylinder, V-shaped engine and a 3-speed Automatic gearbox.
The second generation, produced from 2010 to 2016, also contains two versions named 6.8 AT. The 512 hp version has a 6,752 cc Turbo engine and 1,020 Nm, while the 537 hp version has a 6,750 cc Turbo engine and 1,100 Nm. Both have an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD.
The second-generation restyling, produced from 2016 to 2020, remains part of the second generation. Its two 6.8 AT versions retain the same 512 hp and 1,020 Nm or 537 hp and 1,100 Nm outputs, although both listed engine displacements are 6,752 cc.
Bentley Mulsanne engine specs
Because every modification carries the same 6.8 AT name, power output and production period are essential identifiers.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 6.8 AT, 218 hp | 218 hp | not measured | 6,750 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First generation 6.8 AT, 295 hp | 295 hp | not measured | 6,750 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 6.8 AT, 512 hp | 512 hp | 1,020 Nm | 6,752 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 6.8 AT, 537 hp | 537 hp | 1,100 Nm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second-generation restyling 6.8 AT, 512 hp | 512 hp | 1,020 Nm | 6,752 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second-generation restyling 6.8 AT, 537 hp | 537 hp | 1,100 Nm | 6,752 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
The first-generation 6.8 AT with 218 hp develops about 32.3 hp per litre, while the Turbo 6.8 AT with 295 hp raises that to about 43.7 hp per litre. The second-generation 6.8 AT with 512 hp produces about 75.8 hp per litre, and the 6.8 AT with 537 hp reaches approximately 79.6 hp per litre. The restyled 537 hp version is also about 79.5 hp per litre because its listed displacement is 6,752 cc.
Choosing the 537 hp 6.8 AT instead of the equivalent 512 hp 6.8 AT provides 25 hp and 80 Nm more. It also changes the listed valve count from 2 valves per cylinder in the 512 hp version to 4 valves per cylinder in the 537 hp version. Engine oil capacity, engine number location, engine cover details, and engine-bay specifications are not measured in the supplied data.
Bentley Mulsanne speed, acceleration, and mpg
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 6.8 AT, 218 hp | 10.0 s | 204 km/h | 24.5 l/100 km | 13.1 l/100 km | 16.1 l/100 km |
| First generation 6.8 AT, 295 hp | 8.0 s | 217 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 6.8 AT, 512 hp | 5.3 s | 296 km/h | 25.3 l/100 km | 11.8 l/100 km | 16.9 l/100 km |
| Second generation 6.8 AT, 537 hp | 4.8 s | 305 km/h | 22.8 l/100 km | 9.9 l/100 km | 14.6 l/100 km |
| Restyled 6.8 AT, 512 hp | 5.5 s | 296 km/h | 22.8 l/100 km | 9.9 l/100 km | 14.6 l/100 km |
| Restyled 6.8 AT, 537 hp | 4.9 s | 305 km/h | 22.8 l/100 km | 9.9 l/100 km | 14.6 l/100 km |
For maximum performance, the second-generation 6.8 AT with 537 hp is the quickest listed Mulsanne: 4.8 seconds to 100 km/h. It is 0.5 seconds quicker than the contemporary 512 hp version and 9 km/h faster at maximum speed. The restyled 537 hp version preserves the 305 km/h maximum but takes 4.9 seconds, making it 0.6 seconds quicker than the restyled 512 hp car.
The 537 hp second-generation version also has a clear economy advantage over its 512 hp counterpart in the supplied figures: consumption is lower by 2.5 l/100 km in the city, 1.9 l/100 km on the highway, and 2.3 l/100 km combined. After restyling, both power outputs are listed at the same 22.8, 9.9, and 14.6 l/100 km figures. MPG values are not measured; the catalogue provides consumption only in l/100 km.
Bentley Mulsanne weight, clearance, tank, and wheel sizes
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 6.8 AT, 218 hp | 2,350 kg | 2,880 kg | 135 mm | 108 l | not measured |
| First generation 6.8 AT, 295 hp | 2,350 kg | 2,880 kg | 135 mm | 108 l | not measured |
| Second generation 6.8 AT, 512 hp | 2,585 kg | 3,090 kg | 140 mm | 96 l | 265/45 R20; 265/40 R21 |
| Second generation 6.8 AT, 537 hp | 2,685 kg | 3,200 kg | not measured | 96 l | not measured |
| Restyled 6.8 AT, 512 hp | 2,730 kg | 3,200 kg | 140 mm | 96 l | 265/45 R20; 265/40 R21 |
| Restyled 6.8 AT, 537 hp | 2,685 kg | 3,200 kg | 142 mm | 96 l | not measured |
The first-generation cars have the lowest kerb weight at 2,350 kg, but their much lower power produces less favorable weight-to-power results: about 10.8 kg per hp for the 218 hp version and 8.0 kg per hp for the 295 hp version. The second-generation 512 hp car improves this to approximately 5.0 kg per hp. Both listed 537 hp cars are approximately 5.0 kg per hp, while the heavier restyled 512 hp version is about 5.3 kg per hp.
Restyling affects the 512 hp specification more visibly than the 537 hp one. The restyled 512 hp car is 145 kg heavier than the earlier 512 hp car, its gross weight rises by 110 kg, and its 0–100 km/h time increases by 0.2 seconds. Its combined consumption, however, falls by 2.3 l/100 km. The 537 hp car keeps the same 2,685 kg kerb weight and 3,200 kg gross weight after restyling, while its acceleration changes from 4.8 to 4.9 seconds.
Which Bentley Mulsanne version should you choose?
Choose the second-generation 6.8 AT with 537 hp if acceleration is the priority. Its 4.8-second 0–100 km/h time is the best in the data, and it combines 1,100 Nm with a 305 km/h top speed. It also records lower consumption than the same-period 512 hp version.
Choose the restyled 6.8 AT with 537 hp if you want the later production period without giving up the highest output. Compared with the restyled 512 hp version, it adds 25 hp and 80 Nm, cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 0.6 seconds, raises top speed by 9 km/h, and weighs 45 kg less, while the listed fuel-consumption figures are identical.
Choose the restyled 6.8 AT with 512 hp when maximum performance is less important and recorded wheel-size information matters: 265/45 R20 and 265/40 R21 are specified. It still produces 1,020 Nm, reaches 296 km/h, and shares the stronger restyled version’s 14.6 l/100 km combined consumption.
Among first-generation cars, the Turbo 6.8 AT with 295 hp is the performance choice. It has 77 hp more than the naturally aspirated 218 hp version, reaches 100 km/h 2.0 seconds sooner, and adds 13 km/h to the maximum speed. Its consumption is not measured, so the data cannot establish whether that extra performance carries an economy penalty.
No prices or current cars for sale are included in the data, so value for money cannot be calculated. On specifications alone, the 537 hp 6.8 AT is the most compelling version: it consistently supplies the strongest output, the highest top speed, and the quickest acceleration, with the restyled car offering the later of the listed production periods.