In the late 1970s, Bentley was in a deep crisis. One day its president David Plastow proposed chief engineer John Hollings; an idea that was not very traditional, but full of sensations…
By the late 1970s, Bentley’s sales declined; customers in large markets like the US were simply unaware of the brand’s heritage or ethos. It was against this bleak backdrop that Chairman David Plastow Chief Engineer John Hollings posed an intriguing challenge; “Let’s have some fun.” He proposed turbocharging the classic 6.75-litre V8, which had been the brand’s only engine since 1959.
It was a wise proposition. In its naturally aspirated variant, the big 90-degree V8 produced 200 horsepower (198.5 horsepower to be exact), but the design, by engineer Jack Phillips, had the potential to deliver much more horsepower.
Turbocharged, the power of the 6.75-litre V8 rose to 300 horsepower, giving the Mulsanne Turbo an acceleration that would bother Ferrari owners at the time. In 1985, the company introduced its successor, the Turbo R, with significant improvements in handling and handling. A new chapter in Bentley’s history had begun.
The Turbo R was a huge sales success for Bentley. A nine-month waiting list proved that Bentley’s renaissance as a high-performance brand was underway. During the 9-year production run, 4,111 units were built.
With a top speed of over 150 mph, the Continental R, launched in Geneva in 1991, was a true high-performance grand tourer and the first Bentley with its own unique bodywork since the R Type Continental of 1952. Its 6, 75-liter turbocharged V8 developed 355 horsepower; it went from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds.
When the Arnage was first launched in 1998, it was powered by a 4.4-litre BMW V8 engine. Bentley owners thought this was an insult: a BMW engine in their car…
Protests and pleas from the owners and the personal intervention of VW Group chairman Ferdinand Piëch convinced management to reconsider their decision and shortly after the company became part of the VW Group, Bentley announced a new Arnage “Red Label” featuring the beloved Jack Phillips engine, the 6.75 liter derivative V8, under the hood. With more than 400 hp and 835 Nm of torque, the feeling of thrust was restored from a few laps so dear to the enthusiasts of the brand: thus the Arnage could be considered a worthy heir to the Turbo R. And it went from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.3 seconds.
The appeal of the 6.75-litre Bentley V8 and the continued demand for cars with strong personalities from those who are happy in every way of these cars, reserved for the spirit of craftsmanship, inspired Bentley to launch a limited edition coupe. based on the Arnage platform. Further revisions to the 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8 boosted power to 535 hp with a whopping 1,050 Nm of torque. The top speed rose to 296 km/h and with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, remarkable figures for a luxury coupé of no less than 2.7 tons…
And in 2010 a new Mulsanne arrived. All engine components evolved and the 6¾-litre V8 only shared its main internal dimensions and layout with its ancestors. Variable valve timing and cylinder shutdown made it up to 99% cleaner and much more fuel efficient than a 1950s Bentley V8. And it had over 500 horsepower and 1020 Nm of torque. And that brought this aristocratic crowd to a top speed of almost 300 km/h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 in 5.1 seconds.
The year 2020 saw the last Mulsanne, the 6.75 edition and thus the last version of the 6.75 liter “Jack Phillips” V8 after more than sixty years of production.
Of course, this story parallels the story that started in 2003, that of the Bentleys with a W12 engine, 48 valves and a 6.0-litre twin turbocharger; essentially two narrow V6 engines on a common crankshaft.
But for the purists of the brand, don’t talk about anything other than the old V8. This design had several advantages; it was compact so it could be mounted closer to the center of the car, and the character was hugely smooth. It was certainly a bold move in 1982 for Bentley to incorporate turbo technology, and it paid off. In the words of automotive historian Eric Dymock, it was a decision that “regained Bentley’s soul.”
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
