Luxury automaker Bentley revealed the most-powerful version of its Continental GT coupe on Tuesday. The 2023 Continental GT gets the name Mulliner, which is reserved for its top-of-the-line models.
The Continental GT Mulliner takes the performance and chassis enhancements of the GT Speed, including all-wheel steering, and combines them with its most luxurious and comfortable interior from the new Azure range.
The Mulliner name can be traced back to the 1500s in England, though it wasn't until 1760 when Francis Mulliner began building carriages for the Royal Mail that the family gained prominence in the coachbuilding world. The first collaboration between the two, H.J. Mulliner built a 3.0-liter, two-seat Bentley for the 1923 Olympia Show in London.
Here are the biggest changes to the 2023 Bentley Continental GT Mulliner.
The Bentley engine is laid out in a W formation, with two V6s mated together. It makes 650 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque in this application. That's good for a top speed of 208 mph and a zero-to-60 sprint of just 3.5 seconds.
Both the engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission have been calibrated for the GT Mulliner. The company says the upgrade is most noticeable in sport mode when the vehicle holds gears longer and downshifts earlier.
The 2023 Continental GT Mulliner features an all-wheel steering system. At low and medium speeds, the rear wheels are steered in the opposite direction to the front wheels for quick changes of direction and easy parking lot maneuvers. At high speeds the wheels turn in the same direction as the front to improve stability.
All-wheel drive is standard with an electronic limited slip differential that sends power to whatever wheel has the most traction. Bentley says it improves corner entry and exit, and allows an enthusiastic driver to slide the vehicle around a turn, balancing the angle with the throttle.
The three-chamber active air suspension on the GT Mulliner and 48-volt active antiroll bars adjust with the drive modes and depending on the road. The antiroll bar stiffens up automatically to keep the car flat around corners, loosening when more wheel travel is required.
The company says Bentley and Comfort modes are the most progressive, but it will still be felt in the others. The system can react in less than a tenth of a second, softening suspension reactions even in Sport mode when necessary.
The 2023 Bentley Continental GT Mulliner offers eight different three-color combinations, though customers can always choose their own from "the full suite of Bentley hide colors, veneers and stitching". Almost 400,000 of those stitches go into every Bentley Mulliner. The diamond pattern process alone took 18 months to create.
The seats are embroidered with Mulliner logos and the floor mats feature micropiping to match the rest of the cabin. The Mulliner also features chrome Bentley "B" retention caps that are specific to it. The center console features a unique diamond milled technical finish with Grand Black walnut veneer with chrome overlays. A unique Breitling clock sits in the center.
At the front, the 2023 GT Mulliner features a new "Double Diamond" matrix grille with matching fender vents with Mulliner branding. Those can be had either in bright chrome or gloss black with the Mulliner Blackline Specification. Mirror caps in either satin or silver shine Mulliner logos on the ground as welcome lights.
A special 22-inch wheel design features self-leveling badges that keep the Bentley 'B' vertical at all times.
The 2023 Bentley GT Mulliner W12 will debut officially at the Goodwood Festival of Speed June 23-26. It has a base price of $344,625. There's a convertible version too; it starts at $378,825.
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