The Car that Changed Perceptions
With the rise of the baby boomers during the mid-1980s, came a higher level of luxury and performance cars. Few, mind you, incorporated both attributes with anywhere near the same level of prowess as the 1985 Bentley Turbo R.
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Few cars incorporated the level of luxury and performance anywhere near that of the 1985-1995 Bentley Turbo R. (Photo: http://www.autosalon-singen.de) |
Initially what were stylish rectangular headlamps, similar to those on the handsome Mulsanne Turbo that was phased out soon after the R took to the road, were replaced with a sporty set of four round headlights in 1989. A bold body-color Bentley grille took center stage, initiating an elegantly sculpted hood that led up to its tall, formal greenhouse. While a fairly square, three-box configuration, the sum of the parts resulted in an attractive overall design.
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Considering the Turbo R's weight and bricklike aerodynamics, it still acheived a top speed of 220 km/h in its first year of production and could go from 0 to 100 km/h in about six seconds. |
But it wasn't its styling that garnered all the initial attention. The Turbo R was mostly about performance, pulling up Le Mans winning roots the premium automaker hadn't returned to in a very long time. Top speed initially was 220 km/h (137 mph), not supercar territory but considering its overall mass and bricklike aerodynamics, despite the addition of a front air dam, an impressive feat. Zero to 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds was even more outstanding.