Bentley’s Turbo nameplate emerged in the early 1980s as part of the company’s effort to reassert its identity as a maker of fast luxury cars. The story begins with the Mulsanne Turbo, launched in 1982 as Bentley’s first turbocharged production model. It was a significant turning point for the marque: Bentley positioned the car as a return to the high-performance character that had long defined its pre-war reputation, while still preserving the quiet, handcrafted luxury expected of a Crewe-built Bentley.
In 1985, the Mulsanne Turbo evolved into the Turbo R, with the “R” standing for roadholding. That change marked more than a badge update. Bentley revised the chassis and running gear to sharpen the car’s handling and make the turbocharged flagship feel more purposeful on the road. The Turbo R became the defining Bentley saloon of the era, and over time it spawned long-wheelbase versions as well as further developments that refined the formula rather than replacing it.
By the 1990s, the turbocharged Bentley saloon had become a broader family of related variants. The Turbo R lineage continued alongside derivatives such as the Turbo RL and the later Turbo RT, including short- and long-wheelbase versions and special Mulliner-built cars at the end of the run. These cars kept the classic Bentley four-door shape alive while adding increasingly muscular performance and more modern equipment.
For enthusiasts, the Turbo name represents Bentley’s comeback era: the period when the company moved decisively back toward its performance roots and established the template for later Bentley luxury-performance models. It is one of the most important nameplates in Bentley’s post-war history and a key bridge between the traditional Crewe saloons and the modern performance Bentleys that followed.