Footnotes

• Introduced at Geneva in 1985, the Turbo R continued the modern ‘Blower Bentley’ theme, but with the added refinement of suspension better suited to the car’s increased performance. Bentley’s much-improved sports saloon was greeted with approval by Autocar magazine. ‘There was a time, not so long ago, when Bentley played a faint second fiddle to Rolls-Royce. That is no longer the case. Rolls-Royce’s management now recognises the value of the Bentley name and tradition and has developed the image - along with the sales - to take advantage. In a terribly upmarket way, Bentley is now the enthusiast, high performance partner, and never more so than in the turbo-charged Bentley R.’ Outwardly the R differed from the preceding Mulsanne Turbo by virtue of its cast-alloy wheels shod with low-profile Pirelli tyres, while inside there was a revised fascia with rev-counter included amongst the comprehensive instrumentation. In a break with Rolls-Royce tradition, power figures were made public, revealing that the engine produced a 320bhp and a staggering 475lb/ft of torque. Few cars were - or are - better suited to fast long-distance touring.
  There had been relatively few customers for the long-wheelbase versions of the Mulsanne and Mulsanne Turbo, but with the arrival of the Turbo R this more spacious alternative became much more popular, accounting for around 20% of total production. Supplied new to Germany, this left-hand drive example was imported from Japan and displays a total of 34,396 kilometres on the odometer. Finished in Ebony with slate grey leather interior - the latter boasting folding picnic tables, footstools and a Sony television in the glovebox location - the car is unregistered but comes with a specification sheet and C&E Form 386 certifying that EU duty has been paid.
  

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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