The Evolution of Bentley: From the Classic Mulsanne to the Flying Spur

Quick answer

The Bentley Mulsanne was the last of Bentley’s old-world flagships, a 6.75-litre V8 saloon that took over 400 hours to build and ended production in 2020. The Flying Spur replaced it as a four-door grand tourer, quicker, more technical, and now hybrid. The Flying Spur Mulliner Black is the one in our fleet.

There are cars that move you from place to place, and then there are cars that change how the journey feels. Bentley belongs to the second kind. From the classic Bentley Mulsanne to today’s Flying Spur and beyond, each model has carried the same promise: effortless power, quiet confidence, and refinement in every detail.

Over the years, that promise has evolved. The classic V8-powered Mulsanne once ruled the scene, but today’s Bentleys bring advanced technology and even hybrid power, blending tradition with modern sustainability.

Where does Bentley’s reputation come from?

Bentley Motors was founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley in Cricklewood, London. That year, the company built its first prototype, called EXP 1, which showed the brand’s focus on strong engineering and performance. In the late 1920s, Bentley became famous for racing.

The brand won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four years in a row, from 1927 to 1930. These victories were made possible by the Bentley Boys, a group of wealthy British racers who supported and drove the cars. But the Great Depression hit Bentley hard. In 1931, the company was bought by Rolls-Royce, and production moved to Derby.

For many years after, Bentley models were closely linked to Rolls-Royce in design and engineering. A big change came in 1998, when Volkswagen Group purchased Bentley. They invested more than £500 million to modernise the Crewe factory and increase production. This marked the start of Bentley’s modern era, where traditional craftsmanship was combined with new technology.

The Mulsanne era: Old-world craft in modern form

For more than a decade, the Bentley Mulsanne stood as the brand’s flagship saloon. It combined immense power with traditional craftsmanship, representing the last of Bentley’s grand, old-world luxury cars. At its core was the iconic 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8, producing 505 bhp and 1,020 Nm of torque. That performance pushed the car from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, with a top speed of 184 mph. The 2015 Mulsanne Speed pushed things further still, raising output to 530 bhp and 1,100 Nm for those who wanted more urgency behind the wheel. Inside, the Mulsanne was built with extraordinary attention to detail.

Each car required over 400 hours of handcrafting, including 150 hours dedicated to the leather interior alone. Over its production run, more than 7,300 Mulsannes were made at Crewe, a process involving 700 craftspeople, nearly 3 million labour hours, 42 million welds, and more than 4 million quality checks. Production ended in 2020, closing a chapter in Bentley’s history.

The final 30 cars were built as the “6.75 Edition by Mulliner,” marking the retirement of the legendary V8 engine after more than 60 years. Today, the Mulsanne is remembered as the last Bentley to fully embody traditional luxury before the brand’s pivot toward hybrids and electrification.

A new chapter: The rise of the Bentley Flying Spur

When the bentley Mulsanne ended production in 2020, the Flying Spur stepped up as Bentley’s new flagship saloon. It’s a four-door grand tourer that combines limousine comfort with real performance, making it one of the most versatile cars in the range. Each Flying Spur takes around 130 hours to build, more than the Continental GT, with 13 full bull hides used for the interior. The result is a cabin space that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.

On the road, performance is just as impressive. The W12 delivered 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, hit 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, and reached a top speed of around 207 mph. Bentley hand-built the last of those engines at Crewe in July 2024, after more than 100,000 had been made since 2003. Comfort is equally impressive with three-chamber air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and massaging seats; the Flying Spur is as refined as it is powerful.

Bentley has also introduced the Ultra Performance Hybrid, pairing a 4.0-litre V8 with an electric motor to produce 771 bhp, 1,000 Nm of torque, and over 45 miles of electric-only range. The standard Hybrid offers more than 25 miles in EV mode, making it well-suited to low-emission zones without losing Bentley’s hallmark refinement. Hybrids are now a growing share of the market, and in the UK, they make up the majority of Flying Spur sales.

In our fleet, it’s the Flying Spur Mulliner Black that takes the spotlight. With bespoke detailing, a handcrafted interior, and a commanding road presence, it’s become a popular choice for weddings, corporate travel, photoshoots, and luxury weekends across the UK. While the Hybrid shows where Bentley is heading, the Mulliner captures what clients want today: prestige, comfort, and craftsmanship in one flagship saloon.

Why do people choose a Bentley?

Engines may change, but choosing a Bentley car for hire still delivers the same sense of occasion. Clients continue to choose it for:

• An arrival that always makes an impression
• Chauffeur-driven journeys that combine ease with comfort
• Tailored extras for weddings and events, from champagne to floral décor
• Spacious interiors designed for long-distance travel
• Over 100 years of experience in building world-class luxury cars

Who’s hiring Bentleys today?

Bentleys are hired for a wide range of occasions, each with its own needs:

a) Photoshoots & Media: Frequently used in music videos, films, and brand campaigns where instant status and visual impact matter.

b) Weddings: Chosen for their timeless style and the way they photograph, making them perfect for the big day. We have written separately on choosing a Bentley as your wedding car.

c) Corporate Travel: Executives value the quiet comfort and prestige a Bentley brings to business journeys.

d) Red Carpet Events: Ideal for premieres and galas, offering a refined arrival without being flashy.

e) Luxury Weekends: Popular for self-drive getaways, delivering long-distance comfort with grand tourer performance.

Where is Bentley heading next?

Bentley, as the brand, is moving toward electrification, though more slowly than once planned. The first all-electric Bentley is now expected to reach customers in early 2027, and the company has said it will keep combustion and hybrid models in the range until at least 2035. For now, the Flying Spur Hybrid already offers a low-emission option, making Bentley hire suitable even in city clean-air zones. Cabins are also advancing with smarter technology and sustainable materials such as flax, wool, and vegan leather, proving that luxury can evolve responsibly.

Request a quote, or speak to our team about Flying Spur Mulliner availability for your dates.

Key takeaways

• The car in our fleet is the Flying Spur Mulliner Black, hired for weddings, corporate travel, photoshoots and weekends.
• The Mulsanne was Bentley’s last old-world flagship: 6.75-litre V8, 505 bhp, over 400 hours of handcrafting per car, production ended 2020.
• The Flying Spur replaced it as a four-door grand tourer, faster and more technical, built in around 130 hours.
• The W12 is gone. The last one was hand-built at Crewe in July 2024, replaced by a V8 hybrid making 771 bhp.
• Bentley’s first EV is now expected in early 2027, with combustion and hybrid models staying until at least 2035.

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