To celebrate 40 years of turbocharging, the Bentley Goodwood parade boasted several key models that lumbered up the hill in a plush and sedate manner including the original 1982 Mulsanne Turbo.
Included with the models from yesteryear in the Goodwood Twitter video were also the 2022 Continental GTC S, 2022 Flying Spur S and 2022 Continental GT Mulliner but these current models in their range were less the focus than those that ushered in the turbocharged era for the British brand.
In 1982, a decision to bolster sales was made in which the 6,75-litre V8 of the naturally aspirated Mulsanne would be fed with forced induction. As a result, the Mulsanne Turbo came to reality and raised the mediocre 148 kW output from the sizable motor to a substantially improved 224 kW.
The other 10 models included in the Bentley Goodwood parade include the 1981 Turbo R, 2001 Arnage Red Label, 2003 Continental R Mulliner Final Series, 2010 Brooklands, 2010 Mulsanne, 2011 Continental Supersports and 2014 Continental GT V8 S.
The success of the Mulsanne Turbo meant that a total of 4 111 were built over a 9-year production run. The subsequent Turbo R which arrived in 1991 put out 265 kW while the Arnage Red Label debuted before the end of the decade and managed 298 kW from the 6,75-litre V8.
With the arrival of the Brooklands coupe in 2008, the V8 then received a pair of turbochargers which meant the power increased significantly. Power was claimed at 395 kW while 1 050 N.m of torque would thrust the sedan onto 100 km/h from standstill in a matter of 5,3 seconds.
Two years later, the Mulsanne nomenclature was returned to the Bentley portfolio and it was good for similar power, 377 kW and 1 020 N.m to be exact. The models have since moved away from the 6,75-litre motor, now offering select models with the 6,0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 or the 4,0-litre twin turbocharged V8. To remain with the ongoing electrification trend, the Crewe outfit has also started offering a hybrid 2,9-litre twin-turbocharged V6.
Ten turbocharged Bentleys put on a grand parade for the Goodwood crowds. #FOS @BentleyMotors @BentleyComms pic.twitter.com/OJrOBFnpVY
— Goodwood Road&Racing (@GoodwoodRRC) June 23, 2022
