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Bentley is world-famous for creating some of the finest handcrafted luxury automobiles to have ever turned a wheel, opulent vehicles that feature superb high-quality materials finished to exacting standards that lesser car creators can only dream about producing. From the lusted after historic racers through to the latest 2022 Bentley Bentyaga, the company is a well-respected manufacturer renowned for creating lust-worthy vehicles with hefty price tags to match.
Regarded as a British Titan and often compared to the similar Rolls-Royce, the Bentley tends to be regarded as the more sporting of the two brands. That claim that is backed up and heavily bolstered by a truly glorious motorsport history. More recently, popular offerings like the beautifully crafted Continental GT coupe, are more than happy to show a clean pair of heels to the plethora of competition offered up by dedicated performance car manufacturers, proving that nothing has been lost through the passage of time.
A car that could be the finest example of function over form, the Bentley Turbo R isn't much of a looker by modern standards, but then it really doesn't have to be. An exercise in simplicity, its boxy silhouette defines the vehicle instantly and in one quick glance. Recognized as being a distinct, super-refined, massively powerful, and once ultra-expensive symbol of both status and wealth, here's what everyone forgot about the Bentley Turbo R.
10 The Winged 'B'
The Bentley badge is widely recognized as being fixed to one of motoring's greatest and most prestigious brands, a manufacturer who has a history steeped in motorsport glory and whose vehicles have been favored by royalty.
Famed for their use of aluminum valves to revolutionize aerospace engines, the Bentley badge is synonymous with winning sporting events such as Le Mans, Brooklands, and the internationally renowned Indianapolis 500.
9 An Iron Fist In A Velvet Glove
Despite its power output, the Bentley Turbo R was not a crass sports sedan but an indulgent grand tourer that would swallow whole continents whilst its occupants were snugly shielded from the outside world.
Thunderously capable, the Turbo R's V8 engine's only drawback is its fondness for gasoline, but in these days of hyper-miling, the Bentley unashamedly flouts this notion and remains refreshingly unapologetic about its lack of any eco-credentials.
8 Opulence And Exclusivity
Featuring the highest quality leathers, woods, and handcrafted instruments, the interior of the Bentley Turbo R is sumptuously appointed throughout. Whether sitting in the driver's seat or as a privileged passenger, being inside the Turbo R is a truly luxurious experience.
In its twelve-year run, a little over seven thousand Bentley Turbo R's were manufactured, making it a highly exclusive vehicle, whilst its original list price of $195,000 placed it far above any other sedan available.
7 Millionaire Image On A Budget
Thanks to suffering enormous depreciation, a Bentley Turbo R can today be bought for the price of a second-hand hot hatch, which means the experience of living like an oil baron can be had for literally next to nothing.
A decent condition 1991 Bentley Turbo R model in today's marketplace will, as priced using Hagerty's valuation tool, set you back circa $13,500. That's a massive image upgrade and a massive amount of luxury for not a lot of money.
6 Practicality That Floats On Air
Noted for its serene road manners, the Bentley Turbo R wafts along on a fully independent coil-spring suspension setup that featured a self-leveling hydropneumatic system at the rear, providing a super comfortable ride.
In addition to the enormous amount of interior passenger space on offer, the Bentley Turbo R features a cavernous trunk space of 550 liters. This allows for a whole host of luggage bags to be stashed when a need to tour the nation arises.
5 A Gentleman's Power Plant
Displacing a rather famous 6.75 liters, or six and three quarters in Bentley speak, from its V8 engine, the Turbo R initially made 296 hp with later models having power upped to 330hp thanks to engine revisions.
With a colossal 480 lb-ft of torque on offer in later cars, the near 3-tonne luxury sedan will happily hustle to 60 mph in a very impressive 6.6 seconds before charging on to a rather cool 140 mph.
4 Timeless Stylish Elegance
Large, boxy, and looking like every bit as solid as it was, the Turbo R dispenses with the need for elaborate body styling, wings, vents, or spoilers, as such things are just simply beneath it and not worthy of attention.
Faced with a large chrome grille and dual headlights, the Bentley is sophisticated simple, it is a hand-tailored suit and leather brogues in a world that has become jam-packed with nasty-looking cargo shorts and sliders.
3 An Unlikely Racer
First and foremost an ultra-refined mode of transport for those who had very deep pockets, the Bentley Turbo R could, and was, adapted for motorsport by independent teams and enthusiasts who acknowledged its potential.
A highly modified version created by Phantom Motors featured a 'detuned' twin-turbo engine producing 530 hp yet had a potential for 700 hp and benefitted from uprated suspension, a roll cage had its luxury interior stripped out to save weight.
2 Historic Provenance
Bentley has been an established luxury coachmaker since 1919, a marque that has become famous for the creation of bespoke hand-crafted vehicles finished to the highest of standards, offering no compromises.
No matter the owner, and there have been several over the years, Bentley continued to turn out motor vehicles that appealed to high-performance fans, the rich and famous, and those seeking ultimate refinement from their cars.
1 Outstanding Reliability
Expertly assembled by master craftsmen, the Bentley Turbo R has been known to rack up big mileages without major incident as long as strict servicing schedules are adhered to. Coasting past 200,000 miles is no hardship for a Turbo R.
In addition to the robust engine, all of the specialist interior trimmings and toys also prove to be particularly robust, partly down to the high quality of items fitted upon the first manufacture, as a Bentley is simply built to last.