Bentley looks to bounce back

DETROIT – The year 2009 was not the best of times for Bentley, with the British manufacturer seeing sales of its luxury cars decline by 39% worldwide.

But Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, member of the Bentley engineering board, sees better things ahead, thanks to the new Series 51 convertible introduced last year and the all-new Mulsanne revealed to North America today at the NAIAS. He says the Lausanne is the answer to customers’ demand for a new grand tourer in the British tradition, but using today’s technology.

Built on its own unique chassis, stiffer and lighter than on any previous Bentley, the new Mulsanne is powered by a 6.75-litre twin turbo V8 producing 505 hp and 759 lb.-ft. of torque at just 1800 rpm. Bentley claims this will make it the highest torque V8 in the world when production begins this summer.

The interior is encased in a ring of wood and Bentley claims it is the most luxurious it ever has created. The exterior can be painted in one of 114 standard colours.

All of 2010’s production has been spoken for although not one buyer has driven the car.