Road test: Bentley Mulsanne

Nothing in life is perfect, but some things come close — including the latest Bentley Mulsanne.

The company’s flagship model has been tweaked: everything from the windscreen forward is new, the grille is wider and Bentley’s “B” graphic appears on rear lights and vents. But the mechanical recipe is the same, with a 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8 which accelerates the car to 60mph in just 5.1 seconds (4.8 in the Speed version). If 505bhp isn’t enough, the Speed can muster 530, and there is also an extended wheelbase model.

The interior is about as opulent as it gets, with 10-inch tablet screens rising from within the back of the front seats, a rear fridge big enough for two bottles of champagne and bespoke flutes, and an optional silver fitted vanity set. You also have a choice of 200 paint shades.

Progress is regal, even at high speeds — on German autobahns we approached the 184mph maximum and it felt calm as a cathedral. Petrol was consumed faster than tipping it off a cliff, but at normal speeds, Bentley claims the car can manage 18.8mpg.

There are a few niggles. The picnic tables in the back have no lip to stop things falling off, and the sat-nav could be better. But the combination of luxury, comfort, speed and performance on the road makes the Mulsanne a real contender for the title of best car in the world.

Bentley Mulsanne
Top speed: 184mph
CO2: 342g/km 
Combined MPG: 18.8
Price: £229,360