The 1982-1991 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo was the first "blower Bentley" in 50 years. The original Turbo was announced two years behind the Bentley Mulsanne/Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit on which it was based, but it wasn't sold with them in America. It differed from the normal Mulsanne chiefly in the more potent, turbocharged version of Crewe's 6.75-liter aluminum V-8 with well over 300 estimated horsepower (Bentley/R-R continued its policy of not quoting engine outputs).

This 1989 Bentley Turbo R sedan was part of the 1982-91 Bently Mulsanne Turbo & Turbo R series.
1989 Bentley Turbo R sedan.
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The replacement Bentley Mulsanne Turbo R, introduced to Europe in 1985 and to the United States for 1989, boasted uprated chassis with stiffer shocks, higher-rate front/rear anti-roll bars and rear self-leveling system, and a new Panhard rod in back. The result was roadholding -- thus the R? -- to equal the beast's amazing go: 0-60 in 7 seconds or less, top speed near 130 mph despite its barn-bluff shape.

Revised instrumentation included a tachometer and slightly more "buckety" front seats. And adopted from 1990 was Automatic Ride Control -- variable-rate shock absorbers computer-managed to driving conditions, which restored some ride comfort lost to the beefed-up suspension. Both the Turbo and Turbo R versions were offered solely with a GM three-speed automatic.

The 1982-1991 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo and Turbo R should be the most collectible of the Spirit generation, and the quickest, most distinctive Bentleys since the S-type Continental, with the Turbo R having the edge in esteem thanks to its more capable handling.

Pluses of the 1982-1991 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo and Turbo R:

  • The usual Bentley/R-R attractions plus thrilling yet civilized performance
  • Turbo R's surprising agility

Minuses of the 1982-1991 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo and Turbo R:

  • Staid styling
  • Mechanical complexity
  • Bound to be overshadowed in glamour (and investment potential?) by a slick new 1992 Continental R coupe

Production of the 1982-1991 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo and Turbo R:
NA, but limited

Specifications of the 1982-1991 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo and Turbo R:
Wheelbase, inches: 120.5
Length, inches: 207.4
Weight, pounds: 5,215
Price, new: $150,000-$167,400

Engines for the 1982-1991 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo and Turbo R:

Type Size Horsepower* Years
ohv V-8 6,750 cc (412 cid**) 315-350 1982-1990

*Estimated
**Turbocharged

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