First Drive: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne is modern luxury with a strong sense of history

Contrary to what you might expect, successfully keeping tradition alive in the automotive world isn’t just about periodically mining one’s stylistic back catalog or simply refusing to change altogether. To convincingly abide by the spirit of one’s history without running the risk of extinction, or worse – self-parody – requires stealthy innovation, and to do so is a decidedly tricky undertaking.

Just ask Bentley. The British automaker has a long history of artfully highlighting its considerable heritage, from the exploits of the fabulous Bentley Boys to the timeless craftsmanship employed in its interiors. And despite the upright look of its new flagship, the 2011 Mulsanne, much thought and effort has been exerted into making what is actually a very modern proposition seem… traditional. Accomplishing this in an authentic and timeless manner is particularly important for an automaker like Bentley. Given the rather lengthy model lifecycles that small-volume manufacturers are often forced to adopt, it’s crucial to nail the entire package the first time. Follow the jump to see if they’ve managed the feat.