The Continental R formalized the revival of the Bentley marque, which had degenerated into nothing more than a Rolls-Royce with a different radiator grille, in the years since Rolls-Royce’s 1931 takeover of the company.
![Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 Bentley Continental R 1991-2003](https://cars.svebas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bentley-Continental-R-1991-2003.jpg)
The first Bentley to carry a distinctive body of its own since the 1950s, the R and its sister models combined the muscular performance of a turbocharged V8 engine with an exquisitely trimmed coupé body. The result was one of the very finest grand tourers money could buy.
![Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 front and rear view Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 front and rear view](https://cars.svebas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bentley-Continental-R-1991-2003-front-and-rear-view.jpg)
At the beginning of the 1980s, Bentley was on the brink of closure. With no models specific to the marque, there was no reason to buy a Bentley other than sentimentalism or a liking for the radiator design. Sales represented about 5 percent of the parent company’s total output of Rolls-Royces and Bentleys.
Serious thought was given to discontinuing the marque. Instead, a turbocharged version of the Mulsanne sedan was introduced in 1982, and developed over subsequent years into a magnificent luxury sedan with searing performance. It was then decided to produce a more sporting coupé badged as a Bentley to replace Rolls-Royce’s two-door Camargue.
![Logo Bentley motor company Logo Bentley motor company](https://cars.svebas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Logo-Bentley-motor-company.jpg)
A racing pedigree
Walter Owen Bentley made his name as an aircraft-engine designer. His first car was announced in 1919, and the company’s sports models found fame by winning the Le Mans 24-hour race five times. Since 1998 Bentley has been owned by Volkswagen.
The Bentley Continental R emerged in 1991, based on the Mulsanne-derived Turbo R sedan-whose running gear could be traced back to that of the 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow.
A more powerful S model was available in 1994-95, and this led to the high-performance Continental T, which had a 4-in (10-cm) shorter body and uprated brakes and suspension. Other derivatives included a convertible, the Azure.
Model | Bentley Continental R, 1991–2003 |
Assembly | Crewe, UK |
Production | 1,854 all types |
Construction | Steel monocoque |
Engine | 6,750 cc, pushrod V8 |
Power output | 385–420 bhp at 4,000 rpm |
Transmission | Four-speed automatic |
Suspension | Independent by coil; self-leveling |
Brakes | Four-wheel discs |
Maximum speed | 150 mph (241 km/h) |
The exterior
The starting point for the Continental R was 1985’s Bentley “Project
90” styling exercise by British designers John Heffernan and Ken
Greenley. The final R design has a lower radiator grille that allows a
lower hood line, and the kick-up in the line of the rear wing evokes
that of Rolls-Royce’s Corniche model. The later, shorter-wheelbase T
model has flared wheelarches and different bumper and sill treatments.
![Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 exterier Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 exterier](https://cars.svebas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bentley-Continental-R-1991-2003-exterier.jpg)
- Logo essentially the same since 1919
- Car revives famous Continental name
- Twin headlights first seen on Turbo R
- Mesh grille is a stainless-steel lattice
- Slender door mirrors
- Various designs of alloy wheel used
- Sleek chrome door handle
- Retractable radio antenna on rear wing
- Fuel filler on rear pillar
- Taillights unique to Continental and Azure
- Tail-pipes hint at power
The interior
The quality of the Bentley’s leathertrimmed interior is unparalleled. The Continental’s cockpit has a more sporting flavor than a Bentley sedan, and features a center console extending into the rear compartment. The R dashboard is in beautifully crafted wood veneer, while on the T it is generally in engine-turned aluminum. A floor-mounted gearshift-as opposed to one on the steering column-was an innovation for a modern-day Bentley.
![Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 interior A Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 interior A](https://cars.svebas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bentley-Continental-R-1991-2003-interior-A.jpg)
- Sophisticated interior with walnut wood finish
- Steering wheel less elegant than in the past
- Speedometer bears Bentley logo
- LCD display for mileage, automatic transmission, and fuel
- Trademark chrome vents, operated by a small chrome knob
- Auxiliary dials on console
- Hefty chrome door “furniture”
- Seat backs have pleated map pockets
- Mulliner Park Ward is former in-house Rolls/Bentley coachbuilder
- One-arm headrest
![Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 interior B Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 interior B](https://cars.svebas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bentley-Continental-R-1991-2003-interior-B.jpg)
Under the hood
The all-aluminum V8, dating back to 1959, has old-fashioned pushrods rather than an overhead camshaft, and still has two valves per cylinder. Use of a turbocharger pushes power to 385 bhp, or to 400 bhp, and latterly 420 bhp in the T model-as also found in the special Continental T Mulliner version. The torque (pulling power) in this ultimate format is 650 lb ft at 2,200 rpm, more than any other car in the world at the time.
![Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 under the hood Bentley Continental R 1991-2003 under the hood](https://cars.svebas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bentley-Continental-R-1991-2003-under-the-hood.jpg)
- Modern shrouding hides 1950s engine design
- Turbocharger source of Bentley’s strong performance
- Under-hood light