Bentley Mulsanne WO Edition Is Steeped In 8 Liters Of Heritage

Only 100 examples will be made in tribute to the company's founder

Bentley is coming up on its centenary year. But before it does, it's looking back on one of its earliest motor cars with the Mulsanne W.O. Edition. Crafted by Bentley's Mulliner customization division, the special Mulsanne draws its name and inspiration from the company's founder and the 8 Liter limousine that was his personal ride and the last he ever designed. The W.O. Edition even includes a piece of the crankshaft from that very car, encased in a marquetry cabinet with machined metal trim in the rear center armrest.

Aside from the showcase, the interior features two-tone leather in Fireglow and patinated Fireglow Heritage, with Beluga hide trim and dark burr walnut veneer. It also comes with a bottle fridge, a set of glass tumblers, rear-seat privacy curtains.

The bodywork is finished in onyx-black paint wth an optional chrome grille and trim strip, though customers can specify theirs in any color Bentley offers, if they so choose. It's also available on the standard Mulsanne, the extended-wheelbase model, or even the Mulsanne Speed. Either way, though, only 100 examples will be made. Look for its debut in Monterey next month, with deliveries set to commence as Bentley kicks off its 100th anniversary next year.

Bentley To Honor Its Heritage With Unique Features For All 2019 Models

Centenary specifications will include a number of unique design touches.

Bentley Motors Limited was founded by English engineer Walter Owen Bentley and his brother in 1919. Intending to turn their aero engine business into a car manufacturing one, they soon built a name for themselves with sporty Grand Tourers that proved themselves in various endurance racing events such as the LeMans 24 Hours.

While the company has seen its fair share of ups and downs with numerous owners at the helm, W.O. Bentley’s principle to build “a fast car, a good car, the best in its class”, has been a core principle throughout. To celebrate its illustrious history, all 2019 model year Bentleys will feature a number of unique design features and details.

Centenary badging, distinctive seat embroidery and unique treadplates with a 1919-2019 display are among some of the features that will be found on all cars built from January to December 2019.

The steering wheel badge, key fob and gear selector will also be of a slightly different design and a refined metallic gold, referred to as Centenary Gold, will be used on logos, contrast stitching and other trim pieces. The color has been chosen to honor the metalwork found on vintage Bentleys of the past such as the EXP 2 of 1919 and the famous racing 1929 Birkin Blower.

After many decades of absence, Bentley finally returned to its racing roots once again and is participating in the Blancpain Endurance Series.

Back in the 1920s, W.O. Bentley used the harsh racing environment as a proving ground for his early models and the successes of the legendary ‘Bentley Boys’ made Bentley a household name the world over. Aside from winning at Le Mans five times, Bentley also triumphed at Brooklands, Indianapolis and the Isle of Man. Let’s hope it continues its winning ways both on and off the track for the next 100 years.