Performance Review: Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Continental Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Bentley Continental has a 6750cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Continental shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Continental's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2450 kgs (5401 lbs) this makes the Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley Continental shares the same bhp with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp)

In terms of power the 6750cc 16V V8 engine produces 400 bhp (298 kW) @ 4100 rpm similar to the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 616 lb-ft (835.1 Nm) @ 2150 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo (593 lb-ft) or the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid (593 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Bentley Continental you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 DSG (188.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Continental.

The Bentley Continental has a Power to weight ratio of 163.2 bhp per ton and 251.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Continental competing with the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 DSG (188.2 bhp per ton) or the 1993 BMW 3 Series M3 E36 (188.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Bentley Continental generating around 251.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT (276.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Honda NSX 3.5 V6 Turbo Petrol Electric Hybrid (275.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs). This Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Continental and the 2001 Honda Integra 2.0i VTEC Type R DC5

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Continental on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.03 secs @ 91.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Honda Integra 2.0i VTEC Type R DC5 (14.97 secs), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (14.97 secs), and the 1992 Nissan Sunny GTi R (14.98 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Continental equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Continental Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison