We are concerned about Bentley right now. Every model launch or facelift seems to be getting more and more about the bling. Define bling: denoting expensive, ostentatious clothing or jewellery, or the style or materialistic attitudes associated with them. The Mulsanne is Bentley’s flagship bling model and for 2016 Bentley have decided to it extra bling the facelift treatment if you will. As far as we can see it’s all rather “blingy”. Much of that bling can be attributed to the redesigned front grille which which resembles a Cylon from BattleStar Galactica. The in-your-face grille detracts from other areas of the car that have been redesigned such as the front fenders, front and rear bumpers and bonnet. As with all facelifts a majority of the Mulsanne’s changes are subtle… The exception being that god damn front grille. It doesn’t seem to gel the rest of the design. Bentley’s pinnacle model range now comprises of four models the Mulsanne, Mulsanne Speed and Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase. Each model being slightly more powerful than the one below it. Bentley have tweaked the Mulsanne’s 6¾-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Expect 505 bhp and 1,020 Nm of torque all channelled though an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The standard Mulsanne dispatches the 0-60 mph sprint in 5.1 seconds (0‑100 km/h in 4.9 seconds) and has a top speed of 184mph. Bentley engineers have been hard at work tweaking the Mulsanne’s chassis. All-new chassis hardware now includes active engine mounts and suspension bushes. The Drive Dynamics Control system, operated by a rotary switch mounted next to the gearshift selector, can be used to choose from three standard modes – Bentley, Sport and Comfort. These modes, say Bentley, offer precise calibration of suspension and steering control systems. A fourth mode, Custom, allows the driver to select bespoke settings via the multimedia system to ‘tune’ the Mulsanne to a preferred driving style. The air suspension system with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) is designed to provide a refined and comfortable ride at lower speeds. For high speed the Mulsanne’s ride height automatically lowers to reduce lift and improve aerodynamic stability. Even the standard 20″ alloy wheels have latest noise absorption foam architecture built into the tyres. Bentley says this reduces interior cabin noise by up to 4 dBA. The Mulsanne also includes the latest driver assist technology like blind spot indicators. And of course plenty of kit, as you would expect for a flagship ultra luxury car. We could spend all day talking about the ultra luxury interior. The Mulsanne is exquisitely finished from the choice of leather to the wood. The Mulsanne in any model spec makes the S Class Maybach look ordinary. For example the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase feature airplane style seats for rear passengers. The center the console is appointed in the finest handcrafted veneer, metal, glass and leather and houses practical features such as USB ports, pen holders, cup holders and a glass-covered stowage area. Pricing for the updated Mulsanne has yet to be disclosed by Bentley but expect a rise of between 2-5 percent. Currently you can get an ‘entry level’ Mulsanne for £229k. The Speed model is more expensive at £252k and expect the Extended Wheel base model to come close to £300k according to our inside sources at Bentley.