Number manufactured |
1,292 |
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First and last chassis number |
First chassis number: SCBZB03D5NCX42001 (1992). Last chassis number: SCBZB25E43CX01874 (2003). |
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Dimensions, kerb weight, performance |
Length, width, height |
534, 187, 146 cm |
Wheel base |
306 cm |
Kerb weight |
2420 kg. |
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h |
6.6 seconds 6.3 seconds in model year 1997 |
Top speed |
152 mph, 245 km/h 155 mph, 249 km/h in model year 1997 |
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Characteristics and peculiarities |
Backgrounds of this model
- The Bentley Continental R is the first 2-door Bentley saloon (coupé) after the production of the Bentley Corniche 2-door saloon was terminated at the end of model year 1980. Up to and including 1986 the factory did sell a 2-door saloon model: the Rolls-Royce Camargue. But the one-off Bentley Camargue from 1985 may not be considered as the predecessor of the Bentley Continental R. After the Camargue the factory didn't sell any Fixed Head Coupé at all so far.
- The model doesn't succeed another model but is a model that was introduced besides existing models.
Original characteristics
- The Bentley Continental R has the turbocharged 6750 cc V8 Turbo R engine. The power is 328 bhp at 4200 rpm (not officially released).
- Built on the platform and running gear of the Bentley Turbo R.
- The Continental R got the new GM 4L80E four-speed automatic gearbox.
- Spare wheel stowage in the luggage compartment.
- Vaned grille in body colour, later matrix grille.
- Turbo R wheels.
- Facia with a centre console and the gear lever situated on the centre console.
- Driver's airbag as an option.
Model year 1993
- Only in model year 1993 all Bentley badges are enamelled in green.
Model year 1994
- Engine power enlarged to 385 bhp at 4200 rpm.
- Re-styled 17 inch wheels. 255/55-17 tyres.
- Engine covers.
- Red Bentley badge.
- Driver and front passenger airbags.
Model year 1997
- Re-styled 17 inch wheels.
- The engine was replaced by the Continental S engine from model year 1995. Engine specifications changed from 360 bhp at 4200 rpm to 385 bhp at 4000 rpm.
- Front-seats of the Azure with integral seatbelts.
Model year 1998
- Matrix grille.
- Restyled bumpers.
- New alloy wheels.
- New upholstery style with curved pleats and partially 'ruched' leather.
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Production and chassis numbers |
Identification of the model in the chassis number
The chassis number of a Bentley Continental R has:
- the letter B on the fifth position
- a number between 42001 and 42728 (model years 1992 and 1993)
- a number between 52001 and 52449 (model years 1994 and 1995)
- a number between 53001 and 53514 (model years 1996 and 1997)
- a number between 63001 and 63564 (model years 1998 until 2001)
- number 01874 (model year 2003).
The next models have a partly overlapping identification:
- Bentley Continental R Mulliner (between 63141 and 63568).
- Bentley Continental R Millennium (between 63309 and 63320).
- Bentley Continental R Le Mans (between 63546 and 63577).
Further details about the production and the chassis numbers
- The chassis numbers in the years 1990 up to and including 2003 are assigned in separate series per model type (often per model year as well) or in separate series per model. A model type stands for e.g. the standard saloon models (Silver Spirit, Brooklands), the long wheelbase models (Silver Spur, Bentley LWB), the 2-door coupé models (Continental R, Continental T, et cetera).
- In 1995 the numbers of the following models are mixed within the same series of numbers: Bentley Continental R and Bentley Continental S.
- The first Bentley Continental T got a number within model year 1996 of the Bentley Continental R.
- In 1997 the numbers of the following models are mixed within the same series of numbers: Bentley Continental R and Bentley Continental T.
- The first Bentley Continental R Mulliner (1999) got a number within model year 1998 of the Bentley Continental R.
- In 1998 the Continental R got a series of numbers that was not shared with other models.
- In 1999 the numbers of the following models are mixed within the same series of numbers: Bentley Continental R and Bentley Continental R Mulliner.
- In 2000 the numbers of the following models are mixed within the same series of numbers: Bentley Continental R, Bentley Continental R Mulliner and Bentley Continental R Millennium.
- In 2001 the numbers of the following models are mixed within the same series of numbers: Bentley Continental R, Bentley Continental R Mulliner and Bentley Continental R Le Mans.
Series of numbers and unused numbers
- Number 42006 (1992) is not used.
- The numbers 42205 - 42500 in model year 1993 have not been used.
- The numbers between the model years 1993 and 1994, and between 1997 and 1998 are assigned to other models.
- The numbers 52452 - 53000 between the model years 1995 and 1996 have not been used.
- Chassis number SCBZU23CXVCX53136 is the chassis number of a Continental T (the letter U and the engine 23) but is called a Continental R by the factory. The number is from model year 1997 (the letter V) that fits within the series of numbers of the 1996 Continental R.
- The numbers 53194 - 53300 between the model years 1996 and 1997 have not been used.
- The numbers 63186 - 63300 between the model years 1999 and 2000 have not been used.
- The numbers 63366 - 63500 between the model years 2000 and 2001 have not been used.
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Numbers LHD / RHD |
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Left-hand drive |
Right-hand drive |
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Model year |
Number |
% (p yr) |
Number |
% (p yr) |
Total |
1992 |
71 |
49% |
75 |
51% |
146 |
1993 |
209 |
73% |
76 |
27% |
285 |
1994 |
150 |
60% |
101 |
40% |
251 |
1995 |
85 |
53% |
76 |
47% |
161 |
1996 |
104 |
55% |
86 |
45% |
190 |
1997 |
37 |
46% |
43 |
54% |
80 |
1998 |
72 |
49% |
75 |
51% |
147 |
1999 |
7 |
47% |
8 |
53% |
15 |
2000 |
7 |
64% |
4 |
36% |
11 |
2001 |
5 |
100% |
0 |
0% |
5 |
2002 |
0 |
0% |
0 |
0% |
0 |
2003 |
1 |
100% |
0 |
0% |
1 |
Total |
748 |
58% |
544 |
42% |
1,292 |
Model years 1992 until 1998 are not listed below.
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Model year 1999
SCBZB16E0XCX63142
SCBZB14E6XCX63150
SCBZB14E8XCX63151
SCBZB15E8XCH63152
SCBZB14E1XCX63153
SCBZB15E1XCH63154
SCBZB15E3XCH63155
SCBZB15E5XCH63156
SCBZB15E7XCH63157
SCBZB15E9XCH63158
SCBZB15E0XCH63159
SCBZB14E9XCX63174
SCBZB15E8XCX63178
SCBZB14E8XCX63179
SCBZB15E4XCH63181
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Model year 2000
SCBZB22E6YCX63305
SCBZB22E8YCX63306
SCBZB23E9YCX63328
SCBZB22E5YCX63330
SCBZB23EXYCH63339
SCBZB23E8YCH63341
SCBZB23E0YCX63346
SCBZB26E4YCH63347
SCBZB22E7YCX63359
SCBZB23E1YCH63360
SCBZB22E2YCX63365
Model year 2001
SCBZB22E21CX63503
SCBZB22E41CX63504
SCBZB22E91CX63532
SCBZB22EX1CX63541
SCBZB22E01CX63564
Model year 2003
SCBZB25E43CX01874
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Bentley Continental R, model year 1992, press photos
Bentley Continental R, model year 1996, press photo (below)
Bentley Continental R, model year 1997, press photos (below)
Bentley Continental R, model year 1998, press photo (below)
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