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About the Bentley Continental
The reintroduction of the Continental in 1991 set the groundwork for the famous buyout and the eventual division of Bentley and Rolls Royce. Different versions and facelifts of the Bentley Continental came to the market, but the model remained potent, complex, fast and pricey. In terms of power, the model had a turbocharged intercooler 6.75-litre V8 engine that had a jaw-dropping acceleration at the time, going from 0-62 mph in 6 seconds as a standard. Most of the Continental versions that ran through to 2002 had an average full speed of 155 mph.
What should you expect to find in a Bentley Continental?
Bentley Continental was available in two major variants, the R variant and the T variant. Bentley Continental R came with a 6.75-litre turbocharged engine borrowed from the Bentley Turbo R that delivered 325 HP. The Continental R remains an automotive icon, decades after its last production. Some of the features in the R trim included:
- Roof-cut door frames
- Curved front lines
- Two passenger doors
- Full 4-seat package
In 1999, Bentley upgraded the Continental R, introducing a more powerful 420 HP engine that achieved a maximum of 170 mph. Dubbed the Continental R Mulliner, it was sportier than its predecessor with outstanding aerodynamic performance. In 1996, Bentley introduced a T variant of the Continental to be a non-coach built unibody coupe. Some of its key features include:
- V8 Garret AirResearch turbocharger and intercooler engine
- 4-speed automatic gearbox
- Independent rear and front suspensions
- Adaptive ride control
- Ventilated disc brakes in front and plain disc brakes in rear wheels
The initial plan was to make a limited number of the Continental T version, but the market response was better than Bentley had anticipated. Consequently, the carmaker had to facelift the version in the mid-90s, equipping it with extra horsepower, reducing weight and shortening the wheelbase to improve its handling. The T version offered the most refined luxury driving experience of the decade for the marque.
