Performance Review: Bentley T 2 6.8 V8 - [1977]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley T Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley T 2 6.8 V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1977. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual.This particular Bentley T has a 6750cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The T shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the T's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2235 kgs (4927 lbs) this makes the Bentley T 2 6.8 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley T shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 6750cc 16V V8 engine produces 247 bhp (184 kW) @ 4500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 398 lb-ft (539.6 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Bentley T you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1979 Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am (135.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley T.

The Bentley T has a Power to weight ratio of 110.5 bhp per ton and 178.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1977 T competing with the 1979 Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am (135.5 bhp per ton) or the 1983 Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe (135.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Bentley T generating around 178.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2001 Mercedes C Class 32 AMG (203.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (202.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.7 secs, this made the Bentley T 2 6.8 V8 as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (10.40 secs) the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (10.40 secs) the 1965 BMW 2000 CS (10.40 secs) the or the 1964 Jaguar Mark X 4.2L Overdrive (10.40 secs). This Bentley T 2 6.8 V8 is also faster than the 1993 Toyota T100 3.0 V6 (10.50 secs) the 1975 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam (10.50 secs) the 1971 Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed (10.50 secs) the and the 1963 Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 (10.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the T and the 1998 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT

When talking about the performance of the Bentley T on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.14 secs @ 79.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT (17.06 secs), the 1963 Lotus Super Severn 1.5L (17.06 secs), and the 2006 Alfa-Romeo Brera 3.2 V6 Qtronic (17.08 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1977 version of the Bentley T 2 6.8 V8 has a maximum speed of 118mph.

Top Speed of the 1977 T equals the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1977 Bentley T 2 6.8 V8 then how about the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph), the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (129 mph), or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (129 mph).

Related Links:

1977 T Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison