Performance Review: Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo - [1983]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Mulsanne Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1983. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T and the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO.This particular Bentley Mulsanne has a 6750cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Mulsanne 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 Mulsanne'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 2250 kgs (4960 lbs) this makes the Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley Mulsanne shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 6750cc 16V V8 engine produces 528 bhp (393 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 450 lb-ft (610.1 Nm) @ 2450 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Bentley Mulsanne you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (259.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Mulsanne.

The Bentley Mulsanne has a Power to weight ratio of 234.6 bhp per ton and 200.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1983 Mulsanne competing with the 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (259.3 bhp per ton) or the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (259.2 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 Mulsanne generating around 200.0 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 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (225.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 4Matic 2.0 Turbo (225.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo as fast as the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs). This Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mulsanne and the 1974 Lamborghini Urraco 3.0L V8 P300

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Mulsanne on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.33 secs @ 102.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1974 Lamborghini Urraco 3.0L V8 P300 (13.27 secs), the 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (13.27 secs), and the 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V3 V-Limited - JDM Wagon (13.27 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1983 version of the Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 1983 Mulsanne equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1983 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

1983 Mulsanne Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison