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Bentley Continental R – The new self-confidence of an iconic brand

In 2019, Bentley could look back on a 100-year history that included several Le Mans victories and many iconic models. The manufacturer of the famous Bentley Blower had lost much of its independence back in 1931, when it was taken over by Rolls-Royce. By the start of the 1980s, only five percent of all cars produced by Rolls-Royce/Bentley carried the Bentley branding – and the car make was almost forgotten.

The legend that came before +

At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1985, the Bentley stand featured the “Project 90” – one of the concept cars by John Heffernan and Ken Greenley – which measured in at 534 cm long and 190 cm wide. While the car’s looks did not exactly win people over, it did spark interest in the prospect of a stand-alone model from Bentley.

At the Geneva Motor Show six years later, the prototype of the Bentley Continental R took everyone by surprise. Its premiere was anticipated in 1992, one year later, but distribution problems – especially in the US – forced the carmaker to move up the launch. As a side note, the Mercedes Benz S-Class (W140) was also launched at the 1991 show, only to be overshadowed by the unexpected new Bentley.

From a somewhat to a world premiere +

More than 45 years after its premiere, the shape of the Jaguar XJ 12 remains attractive and subtly elegant. The Series II models have an especially modern and contemporary appearance.

Similar to a gentlemen’s club, the interior welcomes you with wood and leather, and allows freedom of movement. The long version is also very spacious in back, although you would rather sit in the driver’s seat and gently lay your hands on the elegant steering wheel. The engine starts as soon as the key is turned, producing a soft baritone sound at idle speed. No sooner is the automatic transmission engaged than the saloon starts moving. The car enables effortless driving and steering. With a light touch on the pedal, the vehicle accelerates immediately. It is easy to understand why the test pilots spoke of a sports car’s temperament. This “feline” accelerates to 100 km/h twice as fast as an Opel or Ford from that time.

Much acclaim +

The new concept car by John Heffernan and Ken Greenley, who had also designed the Aston Martin Virage, impressed the critics. Despite its enormous dimensions (534.2 cm long, 187 cm wide and 146.2 cm high), the car proved to be more elegant and less bulky than its size would suggest.

Even its drag coefficient (cD value) of 0.385 was considered state-of-the-art. But the Continental R, whose name recalled the Continental model of the 1950s, did not include the expected four-valve Bentley engine.

Heavy weight +

After the premiere, it took about a year before the first Continental R models were delivered. Nearly none of the specifications had changed. To make the driving performance of the nearly 2.4-ton coupé more competitive, the Turbo R engine received a 10% boost. The result was 320 hp for a powerful drive and, at least according to the factory, 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 6.6 seconds.

Priced at 462,387 Deutschmarks or 376,850 Swiss francs, the coupé was clearly aimed at the super-rich, who would be getting a stylish cockpit and proven Bentley technology. For the first time, the gears of the four-speed automatic (from GM) could be shifted with a lever on the middle console. The Bentley had its share of clever electronic gadgets as well.

The chassis featured independent double wishbone front suspension and independent multi-link rear suspension with hydropneumatic spring struts. Electronically controlled, the coupé aimed to strike a balance between sportiness and comfort.

While the 6.75-L light alloy V8 engine with central camshaft dated back to the 1960s, the addition of Garrett turbochargers and Bosch KE Motronic injection brought the performance and environmental friendliness up to the present.

A sports car with luxury in its genes +

Needless to say, car magazines jumped at the chance to test-drive the speedy Bentley coupé. It did not, however, live up to its promises. In June 1992, Automobil Revue clocked 8.3 seconds for 0 to 100 km/h, with the maximum speed reported “over 240 km/h”. The fuel consumption levelled off at 16.8 litres per 100 km based on the test runs – not bad for a fully loaded 2.8-ton coupé.

The magazine classified the car as a “tourer for long trips” but criticised the stiffening of the suspension on German motorways. In general, the compromise between sportiness and comfort did not completely succeed, and it would have been nice to be able to fiddle with the electronics.

As for the roominess and interior, there was little to complain about. Automobil Revue concluded: “With the new Continental R, the Bentley brand reclaims a good part of the independence it lost over the past three decades. The new luxury coupé marks a new beginning – one which is full of promise yet also raises expectations!”

Wolfgang König from Auto Motor und Sport also got behind the wheel of the Bentley coupé, which slightly exceeded the length of the saloon. He, too, was critical of the driving comfort when the suspension switched to the sporty setting. But overall, his review was positive: “In the normal setting, the Bentley is tight enough, even comfortable enough, and, like the saloon, surprises with its unexpected ease of handling. The cardinal question, however, remains: Can such a car really be worth 460,000 marks? For Continental drivers – more than 500 are rumoured to have already placed their order – this is not an issue and the question does not even come up.”

Several years after, in 1996, Motor Revue compared the Continental R with the Mercedes-Benz 600 SEC. Although the Mercedes was not even half the price and featured a lot of wood and leather in its stylish interior, it still fared poorly against the Bentley. The Mercedes-Benz was more modern from a technical standpoint, yet in some respects could not keep up with the Bentley, especially in terms of style.

Reviewer Götz Leyrer wrote: “The icing on the cake is the view over the bonnet. With the Mercedes, the view is the same as with all other cars: almost nonexistent. The Bentley, on the other hand, has a tapered bonnet just like in the old days, infinitely long, a symbol of the power that lies beneath it.” In summary, he put it like this: “Driving a Bentley is a matter of conviction. You have to be forgiving of certain weaknesses and can’t expect absolute perfection, and you also have every right to be annoyed by the fact it has one of those dreadful steering wheels with an airbag hidden in the hub. If you want the perfect car, buy a Mercedes. And remove the intrusive lettering. That is the first step on the path that may well lead you to Bentley.”

Ever faster +

In 1996, Bentley launched the Continental T with a slightly shortened wheelbase and 400 hp, and eventually 426 hp, for increased performance. At 500,000 Deutschmarks or 421,200 Swiss francs, the Continental T was even more expensive, but it now went from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and did so without a significant bump in fuel spending compared to the R.

Successful rarity +

A total of 1,854 Bentley Continental R, S and T models were built between 1991 and 2003, with the R, including several limited-edition models, making up the majority. Only 350 of the Continental T were produced, along with 79 of the Continental SC, a Sedanca coupé variant.

Gliding in comfort +

The Bentley Continental R has long been considered a classic, even if it did not actually originate in the classic car era. Surrounded by pleasing leather and beautifully finished Californian wood, the driver can get comfortable in no time and leave everyday worries behind. The engine is started by turning the key in the ignition, left of the steering wheel, and the desired gear is selected by lifting the gearshift of the four-speed automatic gearbox.

Bentley Continental R +

The Bentley Continental R is a first-class glider, and nobody would think of taking it out for a joyride on a curvy road. For this reason, there is really no need to opt for the S (sport) gear, which only makes the ride less smooth. If the driver takes it easy, the suspension feels comfortable. The overall visibility is excellent and makes the car seem more compact than it is. The power steering also plays an important role in that respect. The Bentley Continental R would be an ideal companion for a long road trip, which is ultimately why it was designed.

Guest author: Bruno von Rotz
Pictures and Video: Michael Klauser