Bentley · 1985–1999

Bentley Turbo R

The Bentley Turbo R is a high-performance automobile which was produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1985 to 1999. The "R" stood for "roadholding", to set it apart from its predecessor. It initially inherited the turbocharged engine from the Mulsanne Turbo and also sported a retuned suspension and wider tyres on aluminium alloy wheels, a first for a Bentley. From the 1987 model year (20,000 series chassis numbers), however, the Turbo R's V8 engine was retuned with fuel injection for added torque. Motor Trend called the Turbo R "the first Bentley in decades deserving of the famous name" in their review of the car on its introduction to the United States in 1989.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Bentley Mulsanne · Successor: Bentley Arnage

All Bentley Turbo R data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

History

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 on improving handling had already begun when Mike Dunn was appointed engineering director in Crewe in February 1983, but instead of the proposed ten per cent increase in roll stiffness, he demanded 50%. This goal was met by upping the anti-roll bar rates by 100 per cent in front and 60 per cent in the rear, and by increasing the damping. A panhard rod to anchor the rear sub-frame was also introduced, reducing side-to-side movement in corners. Spring rates remained the same as on the Mulsanne. Although official figures were never provided by Rolls-Royce, period estimates were for power output at 296 hp (221 kW; 300 PS) with 660 N⋅m (487 lb⋅ft) of torque. Priced at US$195,000 in the US market, the Turbo R slotted above the Bentley Mulsanne S and Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit but $39,000 below the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur. Bentley had intended to keep the Mulsanne Turbo in production alongside the Turbo R, and they did for a brief moment, but the Mulsanne was taken out of production in 1985 as demand dropped precipitously in favor of the new model. In October 1986, for the 1987 model year, the Turbo R received anti-lock brakes and new Bosch MK-Motronic fuel injection to replace the Solex carburetors. Other modifications carried out at the same time included new, slimmer sports seats and a higher rear axle ratio. In mid-1988 (MY 1989) changes to the appearance were made, introducing twin round headlamps and a bigger front spoiler. Around the turn of the year between 1991 and 1992, GM's 4L80-E four-speed automatic transmission replaced the long running three-speed Turbo Hydramatic 400 throughout the Bentley/Rol

Turbo RT

The Bentley Turbo RT was the last and most expensive of the Turbo R line. The Bentley RT came with a 400 bhp (298 kW; 406 PS) version of the 6.75 L V8 engine, as used in the Continental T, which is boosted by a single Garrett AiResearch T04 turbocharger and has a Zytek EMS3 engine management system. This was developed using Formula 1 racing technology, differing from earlier models with the 'Motronic' system. The RT is visually differentiated from other Bentley Turbo R models by its sport wheels, radiator mesh grille and colour-coded bumpers with bright mesh inserts. Performance was sufficient: with a top speed limited to 150 mph (241 km/h), the ultra-luxurious Turbo RT was as fast as the sporting German luxury saloons of the time. The car's base price was US$211,600, or roughly US$65,000 more than the Turbo R. The Turbo RT was produced during 1997 and 1998 only, with 252 units produced. It was essentially a "runout special", an effort to sell off the last SZ-style bodies before the introduction of the Arnage. A few even rarer editions of the RT were made: The Bentley Turbo RT Olympian: in 1998, London dealer Jack Barclay agreed to have a small number of cars built to incorporate many special features. These are probably the rarest version of the RT - although not officially recognised as such, therefore the RT Mulliner commands a much higher premium. These were sold as the Bentley Turbo RT Olympian. They can be identified by the five-spoke alloy wheels (borrowed from the 'Mulliner' version) and the "Olympian" boot badge. It is estimated that only four examples of this version were ever built. The Bentley Turbo RT Mulliner: The Mulliner version, available only by special order for the 1998 model year, was even more exclusive and expensive. It has a 420 bhp (313 kW; 426

Production

Original Turbo R: 5864 Short wheelbase: 4653 Long wheelbase: 1211 New Turbo R: 1366 Short wheelbase: 543 Long wheelbase: 823 Turbo RT: 252 Olympian: 4 Mulliner Edition SWB: 7 Mulliner Edition LWB: 49

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Bentley Turbo R
Layout: FR layout
Manufacturer: Bentley
Production: Turbo R:1985–1997,  7,230 produced, Turbo RT: 1997–1999,  252 produced
Assembly: United Kingdom: Crewe (Bentley Crewe)
Predecessor: Bentley Mulsanne Turbo
Successor: Bentley Arnage
Body style: 4-door saloon
Class: Full-size luxury car
Related: Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit
Engine: 6.75 L turbo Bentley V8
Transmission: 3-speed TH400 automatic, 4-speed 4L80-E automatic
Wheelbase: 1985–1994 R: 120.5 in, 1985–1994 RL, 1995–1997 R: 124.5 in
Length: 1985–1992 R: 207.8 in, 1993–1994 R: 207.4 in, 1985–1992 Turbo RL: 211.4 in, 1993–1994 Turbo RL: 211.8 in, 1995–1997 R: 212.4 in
Width: 74.4 in
Height: 58.5 in
Kerb weight: 2450 kg
sp: uk
Designer: Steve Harper

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q818318CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley_Turbo_RCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1371874227 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1993_Bentley_Turbo_R.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Mr.choppers · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.