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The new Bentley Mulsanne is the first car designed and engineered entirely by the company for over half a century - previous cars being based either on Rolls-Royce designs or, more recently, those of parent company Volkswagen.

The £220,000 flagship model will go head-to-head with the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Maybach to fight it out in the super-luxury segment.

Like its rivals, every Mulsanne will be different from the next, such are the number of colours (over 100), trim and equipment combinations available.

All Mulsannes will feature the iconic 6.75-litre V8 engine, with twin turbochargers to produce 505bhp and 752lb/ft of torque.

A new, eight-speed gearbox, lightweight internals and the ability to shut down half the engine when under a light load cuts CO2 emissions by over 15 per cent; at 393g/km, they're even lower if you fuel it on E85 bio-ethanol.

On the inside, a no-expense-spared multimedia system dominates, with a 60GB hard disc, single-slot DVD drive, six-disc autochanger, two SD card readers and iPod/USB connectivity, plus sat-nav. A dashboard-mounted eight-inch multimedia screen hides behind an electrically operated veneered door.

There are 14 speakers as standard, but a Naim system can be specified; it's the world's most powerful production in-car amplifier with 2200 watts and 20 custom-made speakers.

A personalised keyless entry system - activated via touch points in the door handles - allows multiple pre-programmed configurations. This includes automatically setting the radio stations, phone book plus seat, steering column and seatbelt settings.

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