Auto Show
Report: The Bentley Mulsanne is Going Electric for China – Motor Trend

China is more and more becoming a crucial market for Bentley, especially with the introduction of the ultra-luxury Bentayga SUV. But big, opulent sedans like the Mulsanne are still important too, and if Bentley wants to sell in China, it’ll have to play by their rules. According to one Bentley executive, that means switching to electrified power.

In an interview with Autocar, product and marketing manager Hans Holzgartner said that talks are already taking place. “I wouldn’t say we’re discounting [hybrid engines] completely, but it looks like if you don’t have a full electric drive, even some of the hybrid drives just won’t get into some cities in China.”

Holzgartner points out that electric power, with its silence and bountiful low-end torque, is actually a perfect fit for comfort-focused luxury sedans like the Mulsanne, which will spend more time in city traffic than clipping apexes.

2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed interior

2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed interior

Sports cars are a tougher sell, on the other hand. Given the beefy batteries and loss of high-revving drama, a car like the Continental GT Speed might lose its edge by swapping traditional combustion for electric propulsion. The character of Bentley’s signature Speed line is also a matter of concern when it comes to a Mulsanne EV.

“If you’ve got a Mulsanne Speed you’ll want to let rip every so often,” Holzgartner points out. “That’s going to be the challenge: creating something that can be fun as well.”

Bentley showed us a Hybrid Concept based on the Mulsanne in Beijing back in 2014, so this idea has clearly been on the brain for a few years. And with similar emissions restrictions perhaps on the horizon in Europe, the time for a Mulsanne EV may be ripe.

Source: Autocar

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Email

Report: The Bentley Mulsanne is Going Electric for China

      /14

      Advertisement

      to Skip

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed front three quarter in motion 07
        1|14

      • daihatsu-e-s-front-three-quarters-view
        2|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne front three quarter
        3|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed front three quarter 02
        4|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed front three quarter in motion 05
        5|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed front three quarter in motion 08
        6|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed rear interior
        7|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne EWB rear tray
        8|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed interior 660x439
        9|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed side in motion 02
        10|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed rear three quarter in motion
        11|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed rear interior
        12|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed front three quarter
        13|14

      • 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed hood ornament
        14|14

      Related Post