Bentley Motors is an iconic British luxury car manufacturer that was founded in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley. The company has produced some of the most luxurious and impressive cars over the years, including the Continental GT, Mulsanne, Arnage, and Brooklands.
Bentley is a name that is synonymous with luxury, performance, and style. The British automaker has been crafting some of the finest automobiles in the world for over a century, and their cars have been sought after by discerning buyers since day one.
What are the best Bentley models? This is a question that many car enthusiasts ponder, and there is no easy answer. Each of Bentley's models offers something unique and special, making it difficult to choose just one as the "best" option. However, after careful consideration, we have compiled a list of our top 10 favorite Bentley models. Keep reading to learn more!
Here are our picks for the best Bentley models of all time.
1. Bentley Continental GT
2. Bentley Turbo R
3. Bentley Flying Spur
4. Bentley Mulsanne
5. Bentley Speed 8 (2003)
6. Bentley Arnage T (2007)
7. Bentley Mark VI
8. Bentley 8 Liter
9. Blower Bentley
10. Bentley Speed Six
10Bentley Speed Six
Only 182 Bentley Speed Six were produced
The Speed Six, introduced in 1928 as a faster and more sporting version of the famed Bentley 6 ½ Litre, featured Bentley's signature straight-six engine and was capable of reaching speeds of over 100 mph. The Speed Six won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1929 and 1930, solidifying its place as one of the most iconic Bentley models ever.
Two Bentley Speed Sixes became known as the "Blue Train Bentley" after their owner Woolf Barnato's involvement in the Blue Train Races of 1930.
9Blower Bentley
These models were a supercharged version of the 4½ Litre Bentley, and known most popularly as the "Blower Bentley." The essential difference between the Bentley 4½ Litre and the Blower was the addition of a Roots-type supercharger to the Blower engine by engineer Amherst Villiers.
A total of 720 4½ Litre cars were produced between 1927 and 1931, including 55 cars with a supercharged engine popularly known as the Blower Bentley.
In June 2012, a "Blower" Bentley was sold by Bonhams for $7 million at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
8Bentley 8 Liter
The Bentley 8 Litre was W.O. Bentley’s finest grand tourer. It was also the last model he designed for Bentley Motors. Launched in 15 Sep, 1930, it was the largest and most luxurious Bentley of its time.
78 Bentley 8 Litre cars were known to survive as at mid-2011. Many of these have had their original limousine or saloon bodies replaced by new replica tourer bodies. As a result, Bentley 8 Litres with original bodies are much sought after by collectors.
7Bentley Mark VI
This first Bentley factory finished car was given the name Bentley Mark VI standard steel sports saloon. This shorter wheelbase chassis and engine was a variant of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith of 1946 and, with the same standard steel body, became the cautiously introduced Silver Dawn of 1949.
The Bentley Mark VI is one of the few cars from this period that can comfortably be driven long distances.
6Bentley Arnage T (2007)
The Arnage T is a modern Bentley in every respect, packed with comfort, Connolly leather, and craftsmanship. It is named after a famous racing corner at Le Mans.
In 2002, the Arnage T was claimed to be the most powerful road-going Bentley at its launch at the Detroit Motor Show. For the Arnage T, the factory stated a 0–97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration time of 5.2 seconds, and a top speed of 288 km/h (179 mph).
For the 2007 model year, the Garrett turbochargers were replaced with low-inertia Mitsubishi units designed to improve engine response. The engine was mated to a 6-speed ZF 6HP26 transmission also found in the Continental GT range.
5Bentley Speed 8 (2003)
The Bentley Speed 8 was a race car that was developed to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With 600bhp from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine (based on the Audi R8's 3.6-litre unit), the Speed 8 can hit 215mph and sprint from 0-60mph in less than 3.2 seconds. It won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003, becoming the first Bentley to do so in 73 years.
A 2001 Bentley Speed 8 chassis no. 002-3 was sold to a Japanese collector, then it was subsequently sold to an American collector where it remains today (as of 2009), and was sold in 2012 RM Monterey auction for US$2,530,000. It remains the sole car outside Bentley ownership.
4Bentley Mulsanne
The Mulsanne is the first flagship car to be independently designed by Bentley Motors in nearly 80 years. The last independently designed Bentley automobile was W.O. Bentley's 8 litre model in 1930, after which most Bentleys shared platforms with Rolls-Royce cars.
The model is named after the Mulsanne Straight of the Le Mans racing circuit, where Bentley race cars have won six times in the 24 hours racing format.
Highs Aristocratic pedigree, effortless acceleration, positively palatial cabin space. The Mulsanne rewards the well-to-do with ultimate comfort and unrivaled prestige.
The Flying Spur W12 is built on Bentley’s hallmark 6.0 litre W12 engine. Delivering a sense of truly limitless acceleration, its phenomenal power can propel it to a top speed of 207 mph (333 km/h). It's one of the fastest and most luxurious sedans on the market.
The Flying Spur became the only Bentley sedan model, as production of the Mulsanne ended in the second quarter of 2020 without a direct successor.
2Bentley Turbo R
The Bentley Turbo R is a high-performance automobile which was produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1985 to 1999. The "R" stood for "roadholding", to set it apart from its predecessor. It initially inherited the turbocharged engine from the Mulsanne Turbo and also sported a retuned suspension and wider tyres on alloy wheels, a first for a Bentley.
From the 1987 model year (20,000 series chassis numbers), however, the Turbo R's V8 engine was retuned with fuel injection for added torque. Motor Trend called the Turbo R "the first Bentley in decades deserving of the famous name" in their review of the car on its introduction to the United States in 1989.
1Bentley Continental GT
The Bentley Continental GT is a luxury grand tourer that was first introduced in 2003. It was the first model released by Bentley under Volkswagen AG management, after the company's acquisition in 1998, and the first Bentley to employ mass production manufacturing techniques.
As its name implies, the Bentley Continental GT is a car that's designed to carry its passengers across continents in as relaxed a manner as possible. It's fun to drive, quick, comfortable and feels very luxurious inside.
The Bottom Line
While there are many Bentley models that could make this list, these ten have been selected based on their popularity and acclaim over the years. From the classic Bentley Flying Spur to the more recent Bentayga SUV, these cars represent some of the best that Bentley has to offer. If you’re in the market for a high-end luxury car, a Bentley may be just what you’re looking for.
If you are looking for a luxurious car that will turn heads, a Bentley is the perfect choice. We have highlighted some of the best models from this iconic brand and we hope you enjoy reading about them.