BENTLEY has returned to its racing roots for its latest super-limo, the Mulsanne Speed.

The company claims the car “redefines the fastest ultra-luxury driving experience” by offering a 6¾-litre twin-turbo V8, capable of propelling the super-smooth saloon form 0 to 60mph in 4.8 seconds and then on to a top speed of 190 mph.

The swell of torque from low engine speeds builds to a new peak power output of 537 PS – a performance thought to be unrivalled in the ultra-luxury sector. A selectable sports suspension and steering on demand should ensure there is plenty of feel for the ambitious driver.

In modern Bentley tradition, the extra performance is matched by markedly improved efficiency; a 13% gain means a range extended by 50 miles.

Want one yet? I’m sure that if you’ve purchased a Bentley in the past then the firm’s marketing department will already have been in touch inviting you to upgrade.

Sadly I don’t have the funds, so I’m not holding my breath for a call from the good people of Crewe.

So, how do you describe a car that effectively sells itself?

Well, here’s what Bentley says: “New and contemporary styling features define the Mulsanne Speed as a statement in quintessential British luxury. On-board technology and connectivity are discreetly integrated beneath the finest materials, created with unrivalled craftsmanship and exquisite handcrafted details.”

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, goes even further, adding: “The new Mulsanne Speed is the car that defines Bentley, as a flagship for driving luxury performance. Our customers don’t compromise, and we’ve adopted the same approach in the design, engineering and crafting of our new flagship. The Mulsanne Speed is distinguished, calm and relaxing, but always with a connection to the road and relentless dynamic performance on demand. In this car, every journey becomes a drive.”

The Mulsanne Speed will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on Thursday October 2 and will be available for customer delivery this winter.

Nothing so vulgar as pricing has been disclosed.

For the gentlemen racers amongst us, here’s a little bit about what lies under that massive bonnet and luxury interior.

The new engine is paired with a recalibrated gearbox designed to enhance the driving experience of the car. The gear strategy makes for an ultra-responsible automobile as soon as the throttle is applied.

In new “S” mode, the driver experiences even more control, and the setting maintains the engine speed above 2,000 rpm so that the turbochargers are always ready to deliver instantaneous performance.

But it’s not all about power. An extensive recalibration of the engine management system has yielded benefits beyond increased torque and power. The cylinder deactivation system, that runs the engine as a V4 during a light load, has been retuned for smoother transitions between V8 and V4 for even greater refinement. This work combines with a new gearbox control strategy and the engine hardware improvements to give a new level of efficiency for the Mulsanne engine.

Meeting the new EU6 emissions legislation, and designed to also meet the upcoming US LEV III standards in the future, the new powertrain records 342 g/km of CO2 on the NEDC drive cycle – a 13% improvement on the current Mulsanne. The ensuing fuel economy improvements have extended the fuel range by a claimed 50 miles.

When content to just cruise along, the driver can slip the setting to Comfort and the suspension relaxes to enable the journey to be savoured rather than devoured.

However, when time counts, the Sport mode stiffens the all-round air suspension for improved body control and adjusts the steering dynamics for greater feedback and accuracy.

The driver can also choose to individually match steering, chassis and engine tunes according to personal preference through the Custom setting.

A dark tint finish is applied to the exterior stainless steel matrix grilles in a process unique in the automotive industry, with the radiator grille, lower bumper grilles and wing vents all benefitting from this exclusive treatment. The distinctive headlights of the Mulsanne show the same dark tint application, and at the rear of the car the taillights retain the ‘floating ellipse’ design, but are similarly finished with a dark tint for a striking appearance, especially at night.

The Mulsanne Speed also features Bentley’s first ever directional style wheel, with a design that is handed for the right or left side of the car. The 21″ wheels, available in painted, polished and dark tint with machined accent finishes, are individually machined from solid forged blanks, before being perfected by hand.

Twin rifled exhaust tailpipes are the finishing touch to the revised powertrain, while solid, polished stainless steel Speed badging adorns the front fender and door tread plate areas.

New paint colours and veneers are available, while the cabin’s two-tone feel is achieved using a new and unique colour split, with new stitch lines, that balance diamond quilted light-colour hide with darker, smooth hide.

The Mulliner Driving Specification interior features are fitted as standard to the Mulsanne Speed, and include:
•    Diamond quilted hide door panels and seats
•    Indented hide headlining
•    Embroidered Bentley emblems to all seats
•    A coined finish to interior door handles
•    Knurling to the sports gear lever and “organ stop” ventilation controls
•    Drilled alloy sports foot pedals

Customers choose from 24 different hide colours, in six different colour splits, and 10 different veneers (seven as cost options).

Cleverly concealed beneath the exquisite cabin is a suite of technology including a 60 GB on-board hard drive on which can be stored the driver’s collection of music and films. Electrically-operated tables, with recesses and connections for iPads and matching keyboards, can be fitted to the rear of the front seats, while on-board Wi-Fi through a dedicated router keeps the car connected to the outside world.

A frosted glass bottle cooler, complete with bespoke crystal champagne flutes, may be installed behind the rear armrest.

A 2,200 watt Naim premium audio system expands on the standard 14-speaker system, which Bentley claims is the best in-car sound experience in the world.

Entertainment on-the-move can be provided through the Rear Seat Entertainment system, including two 8” screens and Bluetooth headphones.

Lexus marvels at new Fantastic Four

MINDFUL of the need to keep SUVs more efficient, Lexus has produced a new crossover that comes equipped with an intelligent electric all-wheel drive system that provides extra grip just when the driver needs it.

The new Lexus NX 300h also features weight-saving materials that help reduce emissions and improve fuel consumption.

Called E-Four, the system uses an additional electric motor to drive the rear axle, providing more grip and better vehicle control on slippery surfaces. The front axle is propelled by power from the hybrid petrol engine or electric motor, or both in combination.

E-Four works intelligently, varying the amount of drive torque to the rear wheels in line with  driving dynamics and road conditions, to secure just the right level of stability when pulling away or accelerating in low-grip conditions. As operation is automatic, the driver doesn’t have to think about engaging AWD.

The system saves energy and fuel too, as all-wheel drive is only engaged when it is needed. When the system detects a loss of traction to the front wheels, it reduces the electricity supply to the traction motor in the transaxle and increases the supply to the rear axle motor. The rear motor also acts as a generator for the NX 300h’s regenerative braking system, increasing the amount of kinetic energy that can be harvested and stored as electric power.

E-Four is fitted as standard on all UK versions of the new NX 300h, apart from the entry-level S model, which has front-wheel drive only. Its efficient performance helps the crossover  achieve combined cycle fuel economy of 54.3mpg with 121g/km CO2 emissions.

Motoring icon the Vauxhall Viva set to return to British roads

A MOTORING icon is set to return to British roads next year when Vauxhall launches its all new Viva.

However, the reborn version will be radically different from the mid-range saloon which occupied the drives of many a new housing estate in the late 60s and early 70s.

The all-new Viva, which arrives next summer, is intended to be the latest edition to Vauxhall’s small car range joining the fashionable A-sector ADAM and the popular Corsa supermini.

Vauxhall is keeping the design under wraps for the time being, issuing just teaser of the new car.

What the manufacturer has said is that the new Viva will have a five-door body style with either four or five seats. It will be well specified and come in a range of trims and equipment levels.

“This bold, radical name will attract attention and engender curiosity in the car,” said Peter Hope, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director.

Over 1.5m of the original Viva were manufactured at Vauxhall’s plant in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire between 1963 and 1979. Its battle for supremacy with the Ford Escort established a mid-sector rivalry which has continued through the decades and is now embodied by spiritual successors, the Focus and Astra.

Drive safely.