Performance Review: Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Mulsanne Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Bentley Mulsanne 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 Mulsanne 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 Mulsanne's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 Mulsanne Turbo RT in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley Mulsanne shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 6750cc 16V V8 engine produces 398 bhp (296 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 590 lb-ft (799.9 Nm) @ 2100 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2014 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 (187.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Mulsanne.

The Bentley Mulsanne has a Power to weight ratio of 162.4 bhp per ton and 240.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 Mulsanne competing with the 2014 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 (187.4 bhp per ton) or the 1984 BMW 6 Series M635 CSi E24 (187.3 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 Mulsanne generating around 240.8 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 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch (265.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (265.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs). This Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mulsanne and the 1998 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 Biturbo Evoluzione

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Mulsanne on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.06 secs @ 90.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 Biturbo Evoluzione (14.99 secs), the 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster 300bhp (15.00 secs), and the 1998 Nissan 300ZX Version S Twin Turbo (15.00 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 Mulsanne 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 1998 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT 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:

1998 Mulsanne Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison