The Bentley Turbo R was a high-performance saloon produced by Bentley Motors from 1985 to 1999. The R stood for roadholding, to set it apart from its predecessor, and the car combined the turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 of the Mulsanne Turbo with a retuned suspension and wider tyres on aluminium alloy wheels, a first for a Bentley.
Bentley Turbo R at a glance
| Maker | Bentley Motors, Crewe |
|---|---|
| Production | 1985–1999 |
| Engine | 6.75-litre V8, turbocharged |
| Power | about 296 hp, estimated (Rolls-Royce never published figures) |
| Torque | 660 N·m |
| Transmission | GM Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed, later 4L80-E four-speed |
| Suspension | retuned with a Panhard rod on the rear subframe |
| Wheels | aluminium alloy, a first for Bentley |
| US price | $195,000 at the 1989 introduction |
| Successor | Turbo RT in 1998 |
History of the Bentley Turbo R
Chassis and engine
The Turbo R inherited the turbocharged engine of the Mulsanne Turbo and added a retuned suspension and wider tyres on aluminium alloy wheels. The suspension changes, though seemingly subtle, transformed the soft and less than well-controlled ride of the Mulsanne Turbo into that of a real performer. Development had begun when Mike Dunn became engineering director at Crewe in February 1983, and instead of the proposed ten per cent increase in roll stiffness he demanded fifty per cent. The target was met by raising anti-roll bar rates by 100 per cent at the front and 60 per cent at the rear, increasing the damping and adding a Panhard rod to anchor the rear subframe and reduce side-to-side movement in corners; spring rates stayed as on the Mulsanne.
Rolls-Royce never published official power figures, but period estimates were 296 hp and 660 N·m. In the United States the Turbo R cost $195,000 at its 1989 introduction, above the Mulsanne S and Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit but $39,000 below the Silver Spur. Motor Trend called it “the first Bentley in decades deserving of the famous name”.
Model years
Bentley had intended to keep the Mulsanne Turbo in production alongside the Turbo R, but demand for the new model was so strong that the Mulsanne went out of production in 1985. In October 1986, for the 1987 model year, the Turbo R received anti-lock brakes and Bosch MK-Motronic fuel injection in place of the Solex carburettors, along with slimmer sports seats and a higher rear axle ratio. In mid-1988 came twin round headlamps and a larger front spoiler, and around 1991–1992 the GM 4L80-E four-speed automatic replaced the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic 400.
New Turbo R, Turbo S and Turbo RT
A New Turbo R was introduced in 1995 for the 1996 model year with Zytek fuel injection and appearance changes; a Turbo R Sport with the Continental T’s alloy wheels and carbon-fibre interior panels was offered in Germany. In 1995 the Bentley Turbo S was announced as a strictly limited model with fewer than 100 units envisaged; just 60 were built, making it the rarest of the Bentley SZ cars. Its Blackpool engine used Bosch Motronic injection and digital ignition derived from Formula 1, with a larger Garrett AiResearch turbocharger and intercooler, giving 408 hp and a 250 km/h top speed. In 1996 production of the short-wheelbase Turbo R ended, leaving the long-wheelbase model, and for 1998 the Turbo R was replaced by the Turbo RT with a 400 bhp engine and a 241 km/h limit, built in 252 units. The Turbo RT Mulliner had 420 bhp and 860 N·m.
Design and features
- Retuned chassis: stiffer anti-roll bars, a Panhard rod and uprated damping turned the Mulsanne Turbo into a driver’s car.
- Alloy wheels: wider tyres on aluminium alloy rims, the first on a Bentley.
- Turbo V8: the 6.75-litre engine, with fuel injection from the 1987 model year.
- Limited editions: the 60-car Turbo S and the run-out Turbo RT.
Bentley Turbo R versions
- Turbo R (1985–1999): the standard car, later in short and long wheelbase.
- New Turbo R (1996–1999): Zytek injection and revised appearance.
- Turbo R Sport (1996): German-market version with Continental T wheels and carbon-fibre trim.
- Turbo S (1995): 60 cars, 408 hp, 250 km/h.
- Turbo RT (1997–1998): 400 bhp, 252 built, plus the 420 bhp RT Mulliner.
The Turbo R followed the Mulsanne Turbo and was joined in the range by the Continental R. More cars are in the Bentley collection.
Video: 1991 BENTLEY TURBO R REVIEW – STARTING 6.75 V8 ENGINE & DRIVING!
Video by Keith Explores The Internet on YouTube.
Sources
- Bentley Turbo R, English Wikipedia: chassis, engine, model years, Turbo S, Turbo RT
- Bentley Turbo R, French Wikipedia: suspension, transmission, power estimates
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