TO GO THE DISTANCE... When a bloodstock trainer puts a promising colt through its paces, he asks himself one question: will he go the distance? Speed alone is not enough; stamina and the will to win are the attributes that separate the winner from the also-ran.
THE BENTLEYS OF THE PAST ARE FAR REMOVED, technologically, from their successors. But from the marque's earliest days, Bentleys had that rare capacity to go the distance. On the rough, dusty roads of their time, they had the reserves of power both to outpace and to outlast their rivals.
Today's Continental R, with its beautifully-appointed interior, its supremely capable 553 lb. ft., 385 bhp V8 engine and its sophisticated computer-aided reaction to the driver's inputs, has the quality of long-striding power that distinguished its predecessors. From the outside, the laser-cut stainless steel matrix grille hints at the marque's lineage, giving the motor car's lines a purposeful edge. Inside, sports seats, unique to the Continental R, provide the support and comfort for spirited long-distance driving while the sculpted dual-tone leather steering wheel is another of the cockpit's many tactile pleasures.
The Continental R is a true Grand Tourer, capable of maintaining high average speeds while cocooning four occupants and their luggage in quiet comfort for hundreds of miles at a time. It is a car that rewards and exhilarates the driver without unnecessary physical effort: responsive and finely controlled in traffic, unmatched and magnificent on the open road. A thoroughbred deserving of its green Bentley badge, and a grand tourer to go the distance.
A GRAND TOURER TO GO THE DISTANCE; a magnificent blend of elegance and muscularity in the lines on the Continental R, set off by the laser-cut matrix grille and cut-through bumpers.
The dual-colour steering wheel now features a larger diameter rim and sculpted hand grips for improved ergonomics. The new Continental R sports seats with integral seat belts offer improved lateral support and are twin stitched in a curved flute style. The burr walnut veneer pictured here is just one of the many fine wood veneers that may be specified.
The motor car shown is simply one example of the many specifications available from the wide choice of colour combinations and finishes offered by Bentley Motors. The scope is extended even further through the engineers and craftsmen of Mulliner, who are able to undertake special commissions to design and specify a motor car for an individual's driving characteristics and tastes.
THE GRAND TOURER PAR EXCELLENCE, with a sporting, cockpit-like interior that accommodates four in comfort. The turbocharged and intercooled engine, providing 385 bhp and 553 lb. ft. of torque, gives this long-striding coupe true continent-covering ability. The latest specification includes interior in two hide colours and a wide choice of fine wood veneers for fascia and waistrails.
STYLE
Distinctively styled two-door fixed-head coupe with accommodation for four adults.
Stainless steel laser-cut matrix grille.
Cut-through restyled front and rear bumpers.
Sports 17" alloy wheels of single spokelet design and 255-section performance tyres.
Optional 18" sports alloy wheels of single spokelet design and255-section performance tyres.
Sports front seats with integrated seat belt.
TECHNOLOGY
Automatic Ride Control provides computer control of the suspension dampers to optimise ride comfort and handling.
Transmission shift energy management provides computer control of the gearbox to produce smooth gear changes under all conditions.
Adaptive Shift Control modifies the gear change points in 'normal' mode according to driving style.
Electronic Traction Assistance System (ETAS); EMS microprocessor monitors traction with wheel speed data and reacts via fuel metering to individual cylinders, significantly faster and more precisely than conventional throttle or brake intervention systems. Viscous limited slip differential eliminates need for individual wheel control.
Zytek EMS3 engine management system provides high density 32x32 site bit-maps for fueling and ignition, enabling more accurate engine mapping, so providing greater efficiency, power and almost instant throttle response.
Automatic headlamp system actuates in low light conditions and switches off as light intensity rises. This system may also be programmed to actuate after windscreen wipers have been in use for 30 seconds or more.
Alarm and headlamp operations are programmable to owner's individual preferences.
CFC-free air conditioning system.
GSM digital telephone system- UK
Analogue telephone system - North America
PERFORMANCE
6.75 litre V8 engine with exhaust driver turbocharger and liquid-cooled charge cooler.
Digital boost control system.
7.5J x 17 aluminium alloy wheels fitted with directional 255/55WR17 tyres provide responsive steering and sure-footed roadholding in both wet and dry conditions.
Centre console-mounted gearshift with sport/standard gear change pattern selector.
Four speed electronically controlled automatic gearbox with torque converter lock-up.
Maximum power 286 kW (385 bhp) at 4000 min-1
Maximum torque 750 Nm (553 ft. lb.) between 2000 and 3450 min-1
Maximum speed 245 km/h (155mph)
Acceleration 0-60 mph 6.0 seconds
0-100 km/h 6.3 seconds
Fuel consumption European Union drive cycle US EPA (us gallon)
Urban 25.7 1/100 km (11.0 mpg) 11 mpg
Extra urban (highway) 13.0 1/100 km (21.7 mpg) 16 mpg
Combined 17.7 1/100 km (16.0 mpg) 13 mpg
DURABILITY
Underside of the bodyshell is zinc-coated and undergoes a ten-stage metal pre-treatment process prior to cathodic electro-priming. Multi-stage painting process with the latest 'clear over base' paint technology.
Flexibilised polymer clearcoat lacquer applied to the front surfaces of the motor car provides increased stone chip protection.
Elastomeric stone-chip protective coating is applied to the sill and wheel arch areas prior to painting.
SAFETY
Fully powered braking system with four-channel electronic anti-lock system and anti-dive geometry, featuring performance brakes.
Driver and front seat passenger airbags.
Anti-side intrusion beams to doors.
Careful attention to weight distribution under all loading cases, together with full-length lever arm front suspension and semi-trailing arm rear suspension with Panhard rod provide a progressive handling characteristic at all times.
Seat belt pre-tensioners to front seat belts.
APPOINTMENTS
Two colour hide interior.
Sculpted hide-covered steering wheel with matched hide-covered dashboard cowl.
New-style seats with lightly ruched panels front and rear.
Seat belt integrated into seat frame, with automatic headrest adjustment.
Tilt-adjustable steering column enables the ideal driving position to be reached, improves instrument visibility and has 'easy entry-exit' feature.
Memory facility allows the positions of the seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel of four different drivers to be recalled.
Dual level air conditioning.
Air conditioning outlets for rear seat passengers permit individual control of the rear cabin environment.
4 x 30 Watt tuner-cassette audio system, with 6 CD autochanger mounted in centre console armrest for ease of access, playing through an eight speaker system.
Remote control of in-car entertainment system for rear seat passengers.
Full hide upholstery, Wilton carpet and lambswool rugs provide a unique interior ambience.
Wide choice of fine wood veneers and finishes, including burr walnut with straight-grained walnut banding.
Two stage heating to front seats.
Bi-level lumbar support system to front seats.
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 3061 mm 120.5 in Overall length 5350 mm 17 ft. 6.6 in Overall width - across mirrors 2058 mm 6 ft. 9.0 in Overall height 1462 mm 4 ft. 9.6 in Laden weight - GVW 2850 kg 6283 lb. Unladen weight - kerbside 2450 kg 5401 lb. Fuel tank capacity 108 litre 23.75 gal Turning circle - kerb to kerb 12.16 m 39 ft 10.7 in Luggage compartment volume 0.347 m 12.262 ft
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
Continental R $279,900.00 Continental R Mulliner $299,900.00 Continental R Mulliner $319,400.00 (tuned suspension)