Bentley Continental R

Surely the most arresting Bentley of modern times, the Continental R received a standing ovation when it was launched at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show and the Sultan of Brunei bought the red show car on the spot. Sleek, opulent and yet oh so aggressive, it was nothing like the slab-sided Bentleys of old with dramatic Coke-bottle styling by John Heffernan and Ken Greenley.

Truly a brute in a well-cut suit, it also packed a massive punch from its turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 with an estimated 330bhp and 480lb/ft of torque. Driving through an all-new 4-speed GM4L80-E transmission with an ‘overdrive’ on top, it could whoosh to 60 in just 6.6 seconds and was capable of cruising effortlessly at speeds of up to 150mph with barely a ripple on a glass of champagne. The interior was as lavish as you would expect for £197,000 with acres of the finest burr walnut and hand-stitched leather.

This 1993 example is said to be in lovely condition throughout and has covered some 93,000 miles from new with a fair amount of service history. Currently taxed and with a fresh MOT, it is due to be driven over 150 miles to the sale.

THIS IS A LATE ENTRY AND WILL NOT APPEAR IN THE PRINTED CATALOGUE