Bentley Continental is one of those cars that has made it through the ages, albeit with several hiccups along the way. In 1991, the model made a comeback, 26 years after the last Bentley Continental entered the market. Today, they have a vintage appearance compared to the modern GT versions but offer a nostalgic experience of the last millennium's top supercars. Available as a 2- or 5- door and with a variety of engine sizes - there is a wide range of models to choose from so you are bound to find one for you. Read our expert Bentley Continental GT review for more information on the latest Continental.
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The R and T versions of Bentley Continental set the ground for the modern grand touring coupes and convertible, and , respectively. However, they are structurally different as the GT and GTC models are from Bentley's plant in Crewe, bringing out the carmaker's independent say on supercars. The pre-2003 Bentley Continental versions borrowed hugely from Rolls Royce's design and performance preference.
The Bentley Continental came as a 2-door 4-seater. Unlike modern supercars with a similar description, the rear seats were easily accessible and comfortable for adult occupants. On storage space, the 1996-1998 Bentley Continental T has a 350-litre boot space that is useful, especially if you plan to make it the ride to your weekend getaway and need to carry two weekend bags.
Given the high torque V8 petrol engine, the Bentley Continental claimed a fuel economy of 15 mpg on new cars, which was in the 90s. Therefore, you should expect the old Continental on sale to have no more than 10 mpg. Since the engines are also less refined than modern ones, the Bentley Continental attracts a high road tax of �270.
If you are keen on fuel efficiency, then go for the modern Continental GT or GTC. However, if you are a Bentley enthusiast and don't mind the high cost of riding a collectable version of the Continental, then find a good used one on Motors.co.uk. Besides, since the price of the model dropped with the GT and GTC introduction, you can get the exclusive supercar driving experience at a lower price.
Speed, performance and power were the main focus of carmakers through the late 90s. The primary safety features were seatbelts and braking power, with the latter determining how long it took for the car to brake when at full speed. Continental's average was 4 seconds from 100 mph to 0. Other safety features included adaptive ride control and an antilocking device, which came as standard on all Bentley Continental variants.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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