Bentley Continental R
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bentley Continental R | |
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| Manufacturer | Bentley |
| Also called | Continental S Continental T |
| Production | 1991–2003 |
| Predecessor | Continental |
| Successor | Continental GT |
| Engine(s) | 6.75 L turbo V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 4-sp 4L80-E automatic |
| Wheelbase | 120.5 in (3061 mm) |
| Length | 210.3 in (5342 mm) |
| Width | 80.5 in (2045 mm) |
| Height | 57.6 in (1463 mm) |
| Curb weight | 5340 lb (2422 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 28.5 gal (107.9 L) |
| Related | Mulsanne Azure |
The Bentley Continental R is a large, expensive, luxury coupé made by Rolls-Royce from 1991 to 2002. It was the first Bentley to feature a body not shared with a Rolls-Royce model since the S3 of 1965, the first to use the GM 4L80-E transmission, and the quickest, most expensive, and most powerful Bentley of its day. A convertible derivative, the Bentley Azure, was launched in 1995.
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[edit] Origin
Many elements of the Continental R design were first seen at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show in Rolls-Royce's "Project 90" concept car, a mock-up of a future Bentley coupé. An enthusiastic reception led the company to develop the vehicle for production as the Continental R 1991. Based on the Bentley Turbo R floorpan, an aerodynamically shaped coupé body had been styled. The Continental debuted at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show, and the Sultan of Brunei purchased the show car on-site.
The "Continental" designation recalls the Bentley Continental of the post-war period. The "R" was meant to recall the R Type Bentleys from the 1950s as well as the Turbo R of the 1980s.
The car's body, styled by John Heffernan and Ken Greenley, was a departure for the marque. It had a slight curvature in stark contrast to the flat-sided Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles of the time. While its 0.73 coefficient of drag was not impressive in itself, it was a large improvement over previous Bentleys. The Continental R also featured roof-cut door frames,a subtle spoiler effect in the rear, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
[edit] Continental R
The 6.75 L Garrett-turbocharged engine from the Bentley Turbo R was chosen for use in the Continental R. Power output of 325 hp (242 kW) and torque of 450 ft·lbf (610 N·m) was estimated, as Rolls-Royce refused to supply official figures.
The car used the new 4-speed GM 4L80-E automatic transmission and featured ventilated disc brakes in the front wheels. Top speed was 145 mph (233 km/h), and Rolls-Royce estimated a a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 6.6 seconds. The Continental R was priced at US$271,780 in 1992.
The Continental S was a limited-edition performance model made in 1994 and 1995 with an intercooler added. Only eighteen were produced, after which the intercooler was made available in the Continental R.
The Continental R Mulliner model range, offered from March 1999, was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show. The Bentley Continental R Mulliner was equipped with the most powerful engine after the Continental T. This engine had a power output of 420 hp (313 kW) and a maximum torque of 650 ft·lbf (881 N·m). The car could be pushed to a top speed of some 170 mph (274 km/h).
[edit] Continental T
The high-performance Bentley Continental T brought sportier handling and higher power to the Continental range.
The Bentley Continental T had 590 ft·lbf (800 N·m) and from 1997 650 ft·lbf (881 N·m) positioned this car at the top. The Continental T was a 2+2 coupé developed from the Bentley Continental R with a more athletic outward appearance due to a 4-inch (10 cm) shorter wheelbase and extended front and rear wheel arches. The interior featured an engine-turned dash with chrome-finished instruments (as opposed to the wood finish in the Continental R). The Continental T's engine responded to a separate push-button starter.
The Bentley Continental T Mulliner was introduced in 1999. Modified shock absorbers in combination with stiffer torsion bars (front +40%, rear +20%) increased the Continental's handling ability.
[edit] Continental SC Sedanca
The Continental SC Sedanca was a short production version of the Continental T of 73 units, with a lift-out glass sun roof over the front two seats. Produced in 1999, owners for this model included boxer Mike Tyson.[1]
[edit] Production
- Continental R/S: 1551
- Continental R (1991-2002): 1533
- Continental S (1994-1995): 18
- Continental R Mulliner (1999-2003): Unknown
- Continental T: 350
- Continental T (1996 — 2002): 322
- Continental T Mulliner (1999): 23
- Continental T Le Mans (2001): 5
- Continental SC Sedanca (1999): 73
[edit] References
- K.-J. Roßfeldt: Bentley Continental R. RRAB.com. Retrieved on February 17, 2006.
- K.-J. Roßfeldt: Bentley Continental T. RRAB.com. Retrieved on February 17, 2006.
- Ray Hutton. "Preview: Bentley Continental R". Car and Driver (March 1992): 71–75.
[edit] External links
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| Premium | 8 L | Camargue | Arnage | |||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | Corniche | Continental & C Turbo | Continental R/S/T | C GT | ||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible | Azure | C GTC | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • Bentley Boys | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Saloon | Eight | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mulsanne | Mulsanne S | Brooklands | Arnage | Arnage RL/R | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mulsanne Turbo | Turbo R | Turbo RT | Arnage Red Label | Arnage T | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | Continental R | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Continental S | Continental T | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible | Corniche | Continental | Azure | |||||||||||||||||||||
| colour code: | Silver Shadow-based | Mulsanne-based | Arnage-based | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • Bentley Boys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Saloon car | Arnage | Continental Flying Spur | ||||||||||
| Red Label | Arnage R/T | |||||||||||
| Arnage RL | ||||||||||||
| Coupé | Continental R | Continental GT | ||||||||||
| Continental T | Brooklands Coupé | |||||||||||
| Convertible | Continental GTC | |||||||||||
| Azure | Azure | |||||||||||
| colour code: | Mulsanne-based | Arnage-based | Continental GT-based | |||||||||
| Founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • Bentley Boys • Bentley Speed 8 | ||||||||||||
