Bentley Continental 6.8 AT: Which Version Should You Choose?
The Bentley Continental catalogue contains one generation, built from 1984 to 2002 as a Coupe, and five versions all named 6.8 AT. Since their names and 6,750 cc engine capacity are identical, the practical way to distinguish them is by output: 240 hp, 325 hp, 360 hp, 389 hp, or 426 hp. The 426 hp 6.8 AT is the performance choice, reaching 100 km/h in 6 seconds and 273 km/h.
The Bentley Continental catalogue contains one generation, built from 1984 to 2002 as a Coupe, and five versions all named 6.8 AT. Since their names and 6,750 cc engine capacity are identical, the practical way to distinguish them is by output: 240 hp, 325 hp, 360 hp, 389 hp, or 426 hp. The 426 hp 6.8 AT is the performance choice, reaching 100 km/h in 6 seconds and 273 km/h. The 325 hp 6.8 AT is the only version with measured fuel-consumption figures. The 240 hp 6.8 AT is the least powerful and the only non-turbo version, while the 360 hp and 389 hp versions occupy the middle ground.
Bentley Continental generations and versions
The first generation ran from 1984 to 2002. It was offered as a Coupe with five catalogue versions. Every version carries the exact 6.8 AT name, so power is essential when comparing listings or specifications.
There is no second generation in the supplied data, and no separate restyling is listed. Consequently, choosing among these cars is a comparison between five versions within the same generation rather than between different generations.
Bentley Continental engine specs compared
Every 6.8 AT uses Gasoline, a 6,750 cc engine, 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, 2 valves per cylinder, distributed injection (multi-point), and RWD. Four versions are Turbo models with a front, longitudinal engine position and a 4-speed Automatic gearbox. The 240 hp version has no boost, a 3-speed Automatic gearbox, and its engine position is not measured.
| Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.8 AT (240 hp) | 240 hp at 4,300 rpm | 450 Nm at 1,600 rpm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 6.8 AT (325 hp) | 325 hp at 4,000 rpm | 610 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 6.8 AT (360 hp) | 360 hp at 4,000 rpm | 677 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 6.8 AT (389 hp) | 389 hp at 4,000 rpm | 745 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 6.8 AT (426 hp) | 426 hp at 4,000 rpm | 875 Nm at 2,100 rpm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
Calculated from the supplied output and displacement, power density rises from 35.6 hp per litre in the 240 hp 6.8 AT to 48.1, 53.3, 57.6, and 63.1 hp per litre in the 325 hp, 360 hp, 389 hp, and 426 hp versions respectively. Because engine capacity does not change, the figures clearly show what separates the five versions: boost, output, torque, transmission specification, performance, and weight—not engine size.
The 325 hp Turbo version adds 85 hp and 160 Nm over the 240 hp non-turbo car. Moving from 325 hp to 360 hp adds 35 hp and 67 Nm; moving from 360 hp to 389 hp adds 29 hp and 68 Nm. The final step from 389 hp to 426 hp contributes another 37 hp and 130 Nm.
Bentley Continental performance and fuel economy
| Exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.8 AT (240 hp) | 11.8 sec | 205 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 6.8 AT (325 hp) | 6.7 sec | 233 km/h | 28.1 | 13.2 | 18.7 |
| 6.8 AT (360 hp) | 6.3 sec | 245 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 6.8 AT (389 hp) | 6.2 sec | 249 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 6.8 AT (426 hp) | 6 sec | 273 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The largest performance change comes with the move from the 240 hp 6.8 AT to the 325 hp Turbo version. Acceleration to 100 km/h improves by 5.1 seconds, while top speed increases by 28 km/h. The 360 hp version cuts another 0.4 seconds from the sprint and adds 12 km/h.
The difference between the 360 hp and 389 hp versions is much smaller: the 389 hp car is 0.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 4 km/h faster at maximum speed. By contrast, the 426 hp version adds 24 km/h over the 389 hp car and improves acceleration by 0.2 seconds.
Only the 325 hp 6.8 AT has measured consumption data: 28.1 in the city, 13.2 on the highway, and 18.7 combined. Fuel consumption for the other four versions is not measured. CO₂ output and environmental class are not measured for any version, so no emissions-based comparison can be made.
Bentley Continental dimensions, weight, and tank capacity
Exterior length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured for any of the five versions. Wheel sizes are also not measured. The available size-related specifications cover kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, and fuel-tank capacity.
| Exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.8 AT (240 hp) | 2,430 kg | 2,760 kg | not measured | 108 | not measured |
| 6.8 AT (325 hp) | 2,450 kg | 2,850 kg | 140 mm | 100 | not measured |
| 6.8 AT (360 hp) | 2,450 kg | 2,850 kg | 140 mm | 100 | not measured |
| 6.8 AT (389 hp) | 2,610 kg | 2,980 kg | 140 mm | 100 | not measured |
| 6.8 AT (426 hp) | 2,450 kg | 2,850 kg | 140 mm | 100 | not measured |
The 240 hp 6.8 AT is the lightest at 2,430 kg and has the largest tank at 108. The 389 hp version is the heaviest at 2,610 kg—160 kg heavier than each of the 325 hp, 360 hp, and 426 hp versions. Its gross weight is also the highest at 2,980 kg.
Weight per horsepower sharpens the comparison. The 240 hp car carries about 10.1 kg for every horsepower, versus about 7.5 kg/hp for the 325 hp version, 6.8 kg/hp for the 360 hp version, 6.7 kg/hp for the 389 hp version, and 5.8 kg/hp for the 426 hp version. The 426 hp car therefore combines the joint-lowest Turbo kerb weight with the strongest output.
All five versions have independent, spring suspension at the front and rear. Every version has ventilated disc front brakes. Rear brakes are Disc on the four Turbo versions and not measured on the 240 hp version.
Which Bentley Continental 6.8 AT should you buy?
Choose the 6.8 AT (426 hp) if performance is the priority. It has the highest power and torque, the best power density, the lowest calculated weight per horsepower, the quickest 0–100 km/h time, and the highest top speed. At 2,450 kg, it is also 160 kg lighter than the 389 hp version despite producing 37 hp and 130 Nm more.
Choose the 6.8 AT (325 hp) if measured fuel consumption is important to the decision. It is the only version for which city, highway, and combined figures are provided. It also delivers a major performance gain over the 240 hp car while adding only 20 kg of kerb weight.
The 6.8 AT (360 hp) is the strongest numerical middle ground. Compared with the 325 hp version, it has the same 2,450 kg kerb weight, 2,850 kg gross weight, 140 mm clearance, and 100 tank capacity, but adds 35 hp and 67 Nm. It is 0.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 12 km/h faster.
The 6.8 AT (389 hp) needs a more specific reason to choose it on specifications alone. It improves slightly on the 360 hp version’s acceleration and top speed, but adds 160 kg. Its calculated 6.7 kg/hp remains competitive, although the 426 hp version is both lighter and substantially faster.
Choose the 6.8 AT (240 hp) only if the non-turbo configuration or 3-speed Automatic gearbox is specifically desired. It is 20 kg lighter than the 325 hp, 360 hp, and 426 hp cars and carries 8 more in tank capacity, but its 11.8-second acceleration time is 5.1 seconds behind the 325 hp version and 5.8 seconds behind the 426 hp version.
No price or sale data is supplied, so value for money cannot be calculated and no claim can be made about what extra purchase cost buys. Based strictly on the available specifications, the 426 hp 6.8 AT is the clearest performance choice, the 325 hp 6.8 AT is the only choice supported by measured economy figures, and the 360 hp 6.8 AT offers the most balanced step between them.