2012 Bentley Mulsanne Executive Interior

(from Bentley Press Release)  THE PERFECT CONNECTIONS

Theatre Specification for home entertainment and comfort on the move

With the Mulsanne Theatre Specification passengers in the rear cabin can enjoy a wide range of entertainment – choosing between DVD movies, television programmes, or music – which is offered via a 15.6-inch centrally located HD LED screen. As an alternative, each headrest is equipped with its own 8-inch screen, enabling passengers to select their own entertainment and listening in private through high quality Bluetooth headphones.

Business users can take full advantage of the powerful processing capability and connectivity of the boot-mounted Apple Mac computer which is selectable for display via the HD LED screen. Twin USB ports positioned in the centre console provide easy access to the Mac to upload films, music and data or documents for use either in the cabin or once the journey ends.

Finger-tip control is provided via an iPod touch allowing navigation of the technology by means of a unique Bentley ‘App’ and bespoke reading lights have been designed to provide optimum illumination for viewing documents.

The opportunity to unwind in style is also catered forwith an exquisitely detailed, Bentley‑designed, luxury bottle cooler with space for two full-size Champagne bottles in a canted position, allowing opened bottles to be put back in the cooler. With one touch of a button, the frosted glass door quietly slides open to reveal three hand‑blown and hand-cut lead crystal champagne flutes, displayed beautifully by the white LED accent lighting.

The flutes are exclusively created for Bentley by renowned British designer, David Redman of London, and echo the racing spoke design of the Mulsanne’s 21” 5-spoke Sports alloy wheel. The flutes can be placed in the bespoke-design bright chrome holders that deploy from the centre seat cushion. These also adapt to work as normal cup holders when required. The bottle cooler and fluteholders are discreetly concealed when not in use and the elegant design of the cooling system means that no boot space is compromised.

iPad Specification for office level functionality and connectivity

Two beautifully crafted, electrically-deployed veneered picnic tables for rear passengers provide a soft hide writing surface, colour-matched to the seats of the Mulsanne, and at the press of a button twin iPads with wireless keyboards are revealed.

Both rear passengers can work on documents or files independently, email, browse the internet, make video calls or play music or games. The picnic tables are cleverly designed so that the keyboards can be easily removed and placed on the user’s lap for added comfort.

Bespoke finishing touches

ENDS

Bentley Motors is the third largest R&D investor in the UK's automotive sector and the 18th largest nationally. The company employs almost 4,000 people in Crewe which is home to all its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury vehicle manufacturers such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley exports over £500m worth of goods every year to established markets like the US, as well as emerging markets such as China and South America.

Bentley’s global sales for 2011 increased by 37% with 7,003 cars delivered. This growth was led by the Chinese region (1839 cars sold) with mainland China (excl. Hong Kong and Taiwan) up 104.17% (1664 cars). However, the Americas remains the biggest market for Bentley with 2,021 cars delivered (up 32%) in 2011. All major markets were up with Europe up by over a half, due mainly to high demand in Germany (up by nearly 90%). The UK market proved to be more challenging, but still saw an increase of over five per cent. The surge in sales was led by demand for the new Continental GT. Over one third of all Bentley sales in 2011 were GTs with 2404 delivered. December 2011 was Bentley’s best month since the recession and the second highest ever, boosted by the first deliveries of the new soft-top Continental GTC. We have ambitious but realistic plans to continue this growth in 2012.

The Mulsanne Executive Interior has been co-developed with Car Research & Development GmbH & Co.KG