Performance Review: Bentley S 2 Saloon - [1959]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley S Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley S 2 Saloon is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1959. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 and the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato.This particular Bentley S has a 6231cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The S 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 S'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 2006 kgs (4422 lbs) this makes the Bentley S 2 Saloon in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley S shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 6231cc 16V V8 engine produces 200 bhp (149 kW) @ 4500 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 332 lb-ft (450.1 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1983 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (124.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley S.

The Bentley S has a Power to weight ratio of 99.7 bhp per ton and 165.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1959 S competing with the 1983 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (124.5 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 (124.1 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 S generating around 165.5 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 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (190.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (190.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.4 secs, this made the Bentley S 2 Saloon as fast as the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 (12.00 secs) the 1977 Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen (12.00 secs) the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (12.00 secs) the or the 1965 Bentley T 6.2 V8 (12.00 secs). This Bentley S 2 Saloon is also faster than the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 (12.10 secs) the 1967 Mercedes 200 W114 Sedan Serie 1 (12.10 secs) the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 Coupe (12.10 secs) the and the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (12.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the S and the 1996 Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T

When talking about the performance of the Bentley S on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.76 secs @ 77.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T (17.68 secs), the 1965 Ford Falcon 2nd Gen Sprint Hardtop 289 V8 4-Speed (17.68 secs), and the 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (17.68 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1959 version of the Bentley S 2 Saloon has a maximum speed of 113mph.

Top Speed of the 1959 S equals the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1959 Bentley S 2 Saloon then how about the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (124 mph), or the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (124 mph).

Related Links:

1959 S Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison