Behind the design: Bentley’s legendary Mulsanne
The Mulsanne is the flagship for Bentley with more than 7300 built. Photo: Bentley Media
After nearly a decade as Bentley’s flagship model, the Mulsanne will soon complete its production run and be replaced by the all-new Flying Spur.
Production of the Mulsanne was due to finish in April, but has now been extended so that the final cars will be handcrafted when the Bentley workforce returns to the Crewe factory after the Covid-19 crisis.
The Mulsanne is handcrafted from the ground up in Crewe – from initial hand sketches through to final production sign-off. Over 7300 examples have passed through the hands of the Mulsanne Makers, each car requiring over 400 hours to craft.
We meet just a few of the Bentley staff that help create the Mulsanne.
Crispin Marshfield – Design
Crispin Marshfield (above) says the Mulsanne is a modern icon. Photo: Bentley Media
As a member of Bentley’s exterior design team, Crispin was responsible for the Mulsanne shape. Crispin now continues to work on the Design Production of Bentley’s future models, seeing designs through from freehand sketch to superformed metal.
“I worked on the exterior design of the Mulsanne since the project’s inception. I was involved in the initial ideation through to full-scale clay model development and final production development.
“For me the Mulsanne will always be one of the projects that I am most proud of. Over time the Mulsanne has become recognised as a modern icon, quite unlike anything else on the road.”
“It’s the Bentley to be made on its own unique rear-wheel drive platform and the last car to use the 6.75 litre V8 engine. As such it can trace its lineage back through generations of classic Bentleys. It truly is the end of an era.”
Peter Guest – Engineering
The Mulsanne had two important design features to incorporate. Photo: Bentley Media
Peter was the Head of Body & Trim for the Mulsanne project, and was responsible for the engineering of the entire body structure and the entire cabin.
“The Mulsanne was extremely ambitious in its engineering – with an all-new body structure, electrical architecture and interior and exterior designs, together with a heavily re-engineered chassis and engine.
“The body, for example, has a massive hand-brazed seam across the D-pillar – it was the best way to create a ‘hewn from solid’ appearance.
“The interior was all-new and extremely complex, featuring several hundred pieces of leather trim and a perfectly aligned ‘ring of wood’ that encircled the cabin.
“Every time I see a Mulsanne leave the factory, it gives me an enormous sense of pride. When we launched the car it was known as the Grand Bentley – a perfect name for our ultimate grand touring limousine.”
Rob Thompson – Paint Shop
Rob Thompson (above) is proud of the bespoke colours created for the Mulsanne. Photo: Bentley Media.
As a series planning manager in Bentley’s paint shop, guiding a team of over 40 colleagues, Rob will soon retire from the British company.
“This is my 40th year at Bentley, and to have been part of the Mulsanne story from start to finish is of great personal pride. I have taken responsibility for every Mulsanne body that has passed through our paint shop since 2009.
“The Mulsanne for me is the perfect combination of our Bentley heritage and our transition into the modern volume age. Some of the bespoke colours we have crafted for Mulsanne have been truly spectacular, especially the bespoke satin finishes and a stunning metallic we created called Liquid Mercury.
“Mulsanne has been our flagship since launch and will be hard to replace, but the new Flying Spur is definitely an appropriate heir in all that it does.”
John Fisher – Wood Shop
John Fisher (above) helped create the ‘ring of wood’ for the interior of the Mulsanne. Photo: Bentley Media.
John is another of Bentley’s longest standing colleagues, working his way up through the Wood Shop to now head the department.
“Mulsanne is certainly a Bentley that I have a significant personal connection to, having worked on the car’s wood components since its launch.
“Formerly, I was a production manager within the wood shop, planning and implementing the many handcrafted processes which were required to deliver the interior ‘ring of wood’ – a centrepiece of the Mulsanne’s interior that cocoons both drivers and passengers. It’s a true work of art produced using the finest natural materials and unmatched care and attention.”
“A personal highlight for me is working with the many customers who visit the factory to spec their cars. They are mesmerised by the detail, complexity and hand craftsmanship which makes every car unique.”
Donna Morrey – Operations
Donna Morrey (above) has been involved with the Mulsanne since 2008. Photo: Bentley Media
Donna will be witness to key moments of the Mulsanne’s life cycle; both its pre-production development, and soon the assembly of the final example. Donna is responsible for ensuring that all of Mulsanne’s handcrafted components are successfully drawn together as one cohesive whole.
“My relationship with Mulsanne began in 2008, when Bentley first began to develop pre-production examples of the car. During this time I worked as a senior production quality manager, ensuring all prototypes met the highest of quality standards as we demand all Bentleys adhere to.
“I’ve now been lucky enough to be part of a team that sees all of the skills of my fellow Mulsanne Makers come together in the form of a complete car. It’s very satisfying to see, and I have never tired of seeing hundreds of examples roll out of the factory gates in Crewe.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Bentley achieved the ultimate in luxury with each and every Mulsanne it has produced.”
Hans Holzgartner - Marketing
The Bentley Mulsanne is like a work of art. Photo: Bentley Media
Hans joined the Bentley family in 2007 as a marketing product manager for Mulsanne, and admits he hasn’t been able to stop looking at the Mulsanne since.
“Mulsanne has been the most fulfilling project of my working life. When you’re dealing with a car at the very pinnacle of the automotive world, it starts to transcend into the world of art. It’s no longer just a car. As a product manager you are able to introduce materials, crafts and features that other car makers couldn’t even dream of, such as solid stainless steel brightware that is hand-polished for 10 hours, to name but one.
“Mulsanne is a snapshot, a moment in time that won’t ever come again. It’s the end of an era and the last of its kind. For me, it marks the culmination of our first 100 years work and everything we’ve learned during that time. Now we’re very much into a new chapter.”
Article courtesy of Bentley Newsroom
