Mulsanne Shaheen adds to sparkling Bentley sales

After an impressive 53 percent increase in sales in the Middle East this year, Bentley wants to capitalize on the momentum by introducing a vehicle “specifically created for the Middle East market.”
Chris Buxton, Bentley regional director, told Arab News that he expects the company to achieve its best results in the region this year.
The flagship model, Mulsanne, has hiked sales by 70 percent during the first half of 2013.
The Mulsanne Shaheen was unveiled at this year’s Dubai Motor Show, a variant of the flagship model which draws inspiration from the Shaheen eagle.
The Shaheen would be available by special orders and will be equipped with the Mulliner Driving Specifications.
The Mulsanne Shaheen blends design features including 21-inch alloy wheels, Bentley Flying ‘B’ wing vents and Diamond Quilted leather trimmed cabin with driver-selectable, sports-tuned suspension and steering.
This tuning underscores the performance credentials of Bentley’s V8 flagship saloon.
The Mulsanne’s 6.75 liter V8 develops 512 PS (505 HP/377 KW) while the massive torque (1020 Nm/752 lb ft) is delivered from 1750 rev/min.
This dramatic torque delivery from just above idle and right across the rev range ensures that with a slight tap of the accelerator the driver is immediately rewarded with characteristic phenomenal acceleration.
This special edition took inspiration from the colorings of the Shaheen eagle using Tungsten over Onyx paintwork, with Magnolia and Beluga leather and Dark Stained Burr Walnut Veneer for the interior.
Final touches include a bespoke signature Mulsanne Shaheen logo on the rear iPad picnic tables using a gold overlay.
Further options include Wi Fi hotspot, a large tilt-opening, tinted glass sunroof and an electrically operated bottle cooler.
The Middle East has performed impressively across all Bentley’s model range; the new Flying Spur, Continental GT and Mulsanne increased sales during 2013.
When discussing the new Bentley Mulsanne Shaheen, Bentley’s regional director Asia, Middle East and Africa Geoff Dowding, said: “The Middle East is the biggest market for our flagship Mulsanne, so this year we really wanted to create a car especially for our customers here. Our in-house Mulliner design team from the factory in Crewe, UK spoke directly with many Mulsanne customers to create this limited addition Mulsanne Shaheen.”
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are the largest two markets for Bentley in the region, according to Buxton.
The company runs the largest Bentley workshop in the world from Dubai and last year it opened a new showroom in Jeddah.
There are plans for expansion in Riyadh, Doha and Muscat.