Bentley S: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Bentley S choice comes down to two distinct specifications. The first generation, produced from 1955 to 1959 as a Coupe, offers the 4.9 AT with a 4,887 cc engine, 135 hp, a 0–100 km/h time of 18.9 seconds, and a top speed of 166 km/h.
The Bentley S choice comes down to two distinct specifications. The first generation, produced from 1955 to 1959 as a Coupe, offers the 4.9 AT with a 4,887 cc engine, 135 hp, a 0–100 km/h time of 18.9 seconds, and a top speed of 166 km/h. The second-generation Cabrio, produced from 1959 to 1962, and the third-generation Cabrio, produced from 1962 to 1965, use the more powerful 6.2 AT: 6,223 cc, 200 hp, 450 Nm, 13 seconds to 100 km/h, and 182 km/h. Choose the 4.9 AT if the Coupe body and first-generation specification matter most. Choose a 6.2 AT if performance is the priority: it adds 65 hp, reaches 100 km/h 5.9 seconds sooner, and raises top speed by 16 km/h. Price, condition, reliability, and repair data were not measured, so they cannot determine the recommendation.
Bentley S generations: what changed?
The first-generation Bentley S ran from 1955 to 1959. It was a Coupe with one version, named exactly 4.9 AT. Its naturally aspirated 4,887 cc Gasoline engine has 6 cylinders in an Inline layout, 2 valves per cylinder, carburetor fuel delivery, and a compression ratio of 6.7. Output is 135 hp or 99 kW. It uses a 4-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. This is the generation to choose specifically for the Coupe body or for the smaller-displacement, 6-cylinder specification.
The second-generation Bentley S ran from 1959 to 1962. It was a Cabrio and the data lists two versions, both named exactly 6.2 AT and both rated at 200 hp. Their core specifications are identical: 6,223 cc, 147 kW, 450 Nm, a V-shaped 8-cylinder layout, 2 valves per cylinder, no boost, carburetor fuel delivery, a 4-speed Automatic gearbox, and RWD. One record additionally specifies a Front, longitudinal engine position, 2,100 kg kerb weight, and an 82-liter tank; those fields are not measured for the other record. Because the available performance figures are also identical, the data does not establish a faster or more economical choice between these two same-name versions.
The third-generation Bentley S ran from 1962 to 1965. It was also a Cabrio and had one 6.2 AT version. Its recorded engine, transmission, drive, acceleration, top-speed, suspension, and brake figures match the second-generation 6.2 AT specification. Kerb weight, tank capacity, and engine position are not measured for this generation. On the supplied numbers alone, the third generation does not deliver a quantified performance gain over the second; its clear distinction is its later production period.
Bentley S engine specs and version comparison
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 4.9 AT | 135 hp / 99 kW | not measured | 4,887 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 6.2 AT, 200 hp | 200 hp / 147 kW | 450 Nm | 6,223 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 6.2 AT, 200 hp | 200 hp / 147 kW | 450 Nm | 6,223 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation 6.2 AT, 200 hp | 200 hp / 147 kW | 450 Nm | 6,223 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
The 4.9 AT produces about 27.6 hp per liter, while each 6.2 AT produces about 32.1 hp per liter. The 6.2 AT therefore combines 1,336 cc of additional displacement with 65 hp of additional output, representing about 48.1% more horsepower than the 4.9 AT. Its specific output is approximately 4.5 hp per liter higher.
The 6.2 AT reaches its 200 hp at 4,500 rpm and develops 450 Nm at 2,500 rpm. Power and torque engine speeds are not measured for the 4.9 AT, and its torque is also not measured, so a numerical torque comparison is unavailable. The 6.2 AT has a bore and stroke of 104.1 × 91.4, while bore and stroke are not measured for the 4.9 AT.
Bentley S performance, speed, and mpg
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 4.9 AT | 18.9 seconds | 166 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 6.2 AT, 200 hp | 13 seconds | 182 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 6.2 AT, 200 hp | 13 seconds | 182 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Third generation 6.2 AT, 200 hp | 13 seconds | 182 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
For buyers comparing speed, every 6.2 AT has the stronger recorded result. Its 13-second acceleration time is 5.9 seconds shorter than the 18.9-second figure for the 4.9 AT, an improvement of about 31.2%. Its 182 km/h maximum is 16 km/h above the 4.9 AT’s 166 km/h maximum.
No city, highway, or combined fuel-consumption figure was measured for any Bentley S version. Fuel economy therefore cannot be used to choose between the generations. CO₂ output and environmental class were also not measured for any version.
Bentley S dimensions, weight, tank, and wheels
Overall exterior dimensions are not measured for the 4.9 AT or any 6.2 AT, so the supplied data cannot support a length, width, or height comparison. Ground clearance, wheel sizes, and gross weight are likewise not measured across all versions.
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 4.9 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 6.2 AT, 200 hp, Front, longitudinal | 2,100 kg | not measured | not measured | 82 liters | not measured |
| Second generation 6.2 AT, 200 hp, engine position not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Third generation 6.2 AT, 200 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Only one second-generation 6.2 AT has a measured kerb weight: 2,100 kg. At 200 hp, that equals 10.5 kg per horsepower. A weight-per-horsepower comparison with the other versions is not possible because their kerb weights were not measured. The same second-generation record is the only one with a measured tank capacity, at 82 liters; this does not prove that the other versions had different capacities.
All listed versions use Independent, spring front suspension and Dependent, leaf spring rear suspension. Drum brakes are specified at both the front and rear for every version. These figures provide no numerical basis for preferring one generation’s chassis specification over another.
Bentley S reliability and problems
Engine reliability, common problems, maintenance costs, and component life were not measured. The data confirms that the 4.9 AT and 6.2 AT use Gasoline engines with carburetor fuel delivery and no boost, but those specifications alone do not establish which engine is more reliable. A purchase decision based on condition or running costs requires evidence outside this catalogue dataset.
Which Bentley S version should you buy?
For the strongest measured performance, buy a 6.2 AT. Whether selected from the second or third generation, it provides 200 hp, 450 Nm, 13-second acceleration to 100 km/h, and a 182 km/h top speed. Compared with the first-generation 4.9 AT, that means 65 hp more, 5.9 seconds quicker acceleration, and 16 km/h more top speed.
Choose the first-generation 4.9 AT when the Coupe body is the deciding factor. It is the only Coupe in the model data and the only version with a 4,887 cc Inline 6-cylinder engine. Its performance is lower—135 hp, 18.9 seconds to 100 km/h, and 166 km/h—but it represents a mechanically and stylistically distinct choice rather than a duplicate of the later Cabrio formula.
Between the two Cabrio generations, choose the second-generation 6.2 AT if documented catalogue detail matters. One second-generation entry provides the otherwise unavailable Front, longitudinal engine position, 2,100 kg kerb weight, and 82-liter tank figures. Choose the third-generation 6.2 AT if the later 1962–1965 production period is the priority. Do not pay a premium on the assumption that it is faster: its recorded 200 hp, 450 Nm, 13-second acceleration, and 182 km/h top speed are unchanged from the second-generation 6.2 AT.
The two second-generation entries named 6.2 AT cannot be ranked by output because both have 200 hp and 450 Nm, and both record the same acceleration and top speed. The additional weight and tank fields attached to one entry improve catalogue completeness, but they do not demonstrate a mechanical or performance advantage. Since prices were not measured, the question of what extra money buys cannot be quantified from the supplied data.