1998 Bentley Turbo RT

The Bentley Turbo R entered production in 1985 and continued to 1999 with the 'R' representing 'roadholding.' Power was initially from a turbocharged engine sourced from the Mulsanne Turbo and from 1987, the Turbo R's V8 engine received Bosch MK-Motronic fuel injection, replacing the Solex carburetors. Appearance modifications and a Zytek fuel injection system were applied in 1995 for the 1996 model year. Bentley also introduced a limited model known as the Bentley Turbo S for the 1995 model year with total production reaching just 60 examples.

The final and most expensive version of the Turbo R line was the Turbo RT, equipped with a 6.75-liter V8 engine delivering 400 horsepower, as used in the Continental T. It used a single Garrett AiResearch T04 turbocharger and a Zytek EMS3 engine management system. Visual differences that distinguished it from the Turbo R were the sport wheels, color-coded bumpers, bright mesh inserts, and radiator mesh grille.

The base price of the Bentley Turbo RT was $211,600, which was roughly $65,000 more than the Turbo R. Production of the Turbo RT lasted from 1997 to 1998 with 252 examples built.

London dealer Jack Barclay secured a small batch of Bentleys in 1998, known as the Turbo RT Olympian, and came with five-spoke alloy wheels and the 'Olympian' badging on the boot. It is believed that just four of these versions were built.

The Bentley Turbo RT Mulliner were special order vehicles built for the 1998 model year with a total of 56 (as few as 55) examples produced, of which 17 are right-hand drive. 49 examples rested on the lengthened wheelbase while seven were on the standard wheelbase.

The Turbo RT Mulliner was powered by a 420 horsepower engine with 634 lb-ft of torque, a remapped engine management system, and a new compressor for the turbocharger.

Visual modifications on the Mulliner included flared fenders, wider track, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, low-profile 255/55 tires, and rounded bumpers. Many were equipped with the smaller Mulliner rear windscreen and side and bonnet vents. Another popular feature was a speedometer for the rear passengers.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2020