The Bentley Continental R was in production from 1991 to 2003, and it had a lot of firsts and superlatives to its name. It was the first car since the 1965 S3 Continental to have a unique body independent of a comparable Rolls-Royce model. The Continental R was the most powerful, expensive, and fastest car at its launch. The Bentley Azure was a derivative of this hugely popular model, which was launched in 1995. Bentley designed the Continental R to replace the Camargue as its top-tier model. This was a successful move by Bentley to move away from its then-close alliance with Rolls-Royce models. The Continental was also the first model to use bodyshells supplied by Park Sheet Metal and was produced under the factory production model. For more historical context, visit here.
The Bentley Continental R is a gigantic car. It’s got room for miles in the backseat, and the engine torque ably handles its bulk. The car gives less of a racing feel and more of an efficient cruiser speeding along with a smooth drive. Turning is tricky, as the bulk of the car makes for complex handling. But in a straight line, there’s little wrong with this car, and it offers a fantastic view from its vast windscreens and windows. The car is equipped with Bentley’s classic 6.75-liter V8, which has 420 horsepower and 553 lb-ft torque, which was a lot for that time. The drive options have button-controlled tires and traction controls, and the car has a good road grip. The car is all restrained energy and capacity, and the steering can seem laggy and stiff at low speeds. The engine is powerful under acceleration but not theatrical, with no whines, pops, or bangs like modern supercar engines using a similar V8. There is a Sport button that helps the car’s transmission handle slightly better. The car reaches 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds, but this acceleration is so smooth that you will probably not even register it to 100mph and beyond. It will run smoothly and noiselessly at average speeds and can offer extreme acceleration at the slightest command. The handling is good but is affected by the stiff suspension.
The interior is all too familiar, with its classic wood trim and supple leather fittings. The car starts with a simple key in the dash ignition, and there are few theatrics to the car starting. Close the door, which is heavy, by the way, and you won’t even notice the V8’s mild rumbling. Start the drive, and the car will glide onwards. This is a mellow, powerful car performance. The engine is powerful, but it doesn’t show it off. There is a chill to the driving experience, and it’s mellow to handle compared to other Bentley models. The dashboard is distractingly full of circular gauges for all the various functions and is a bit too crowded for easy driving by any standards. The car also offers a commanding driver’s seat perspective unique to the Continental R. The car can be accurately summed up as a coupe limo. Its dimensions are larger than those of the Flying Spur, and it is designed for comfortable entry and exit from the rear seats. Driving the car is a smooth experience as its steering is exceptionally soft to the touch and to control.
The Continental is a huge sedan. At 5.3m long and 1.8m wide, its sheer physical presence is a phenomenon, probably why Bentley designed it to be so understated. The wheel arches are subtly flared, and the five-spoke rims are chunky and solid to support the car’s hefty 5,340 lb bulk on 18-inch wheels. The side indents are finely placed and complement the car’s flowing lines. The front features subtle front latticed grilles and four distinct round headlamps. The bonnet tapers down towards the headlamps and emphasizes the grilles. The rear lamps are almost five-sided but uniquely shaped to fit the trunk and add to the overall ambiance of the car.
The Continental R is a 5,340 lb car that is 17.5 feet long and almost seven feet wide. The engine is a twin-turbo 6.75-litre V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque that speeds the bulk of this car from 0 to 62 mph in 5.8 secs and a maximum speed of 170 mph. Despite its vast dimensions, the car offers a comfortable drive and gives a feeling of cruising around. The powertrain is smooth and handles open roads well, while quick turns can be a slight challenge due to the size of the car.
At its launch, the 2003 Bentley Continental R was available for $288,990. Over time, the car model has retained its hold over car lovers and fans of old-school British engineering and the 6.75-litre V8 engine. This is a cult car, as it marks the end of an era of historic British car-making.
This is a brilliant car. It is huge, comfortable, and effortless to drive. You don’t need to get aggressive behind the wheel or push it too much. Just treat it right, and it will perform excellently. Are you interested in a Bentley Continental R? Our Exotic Car Trader platform usually has some interesting Bentleys for sale, and if there aren’t any models or makes that you are looking for, or you can’t find any that match your taste, check back regularly, as we update our Bentley listings frequently.
Exotic Car Trader is the fastest growing marketplace built specifically for automotive enthusiasts. Click below to learn how you can sell your car with us.
LEARN MORE
