Rolls-Royce Silver Spur: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Rolls-Royce Silver Spur catalogue contains four Sedan generations produced from 1980 through 1999. Every listed car is called 6.8 AT and uses the same basic specification: a 6748 cc Gasoline, turbocharged V-shaped 8-cylinder engine, a 4-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. The meaningful differences are output, measured performance, documented weight and the number of versions available.
The Rolls-Royce Silver Spur catalogue contains four Sedan generations produced from 1980 through 1999. Every listed car is called 6.8 AT and uses the same basic specification: a 6748 cc Gasoline, turbocharged V-shaped 8-cylinder engine, a 4-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. The meaningful differences are output, measured performance, documented weight and the number of versions available. Buyers seeking the clearest combination of strong performance and complete data should start with the 1995–1999 6.8 AT with 304 hp: it produces 738 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, has a top speed of 225 km/h and is the only version with a measured kerb weight.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spur generations compared
The 1 generation, produced from 1980 to 1989, is a Sedan with one 6.8 AT version. Its engine produces 329 hp at 4000 rpm and 738 Nm at 2100 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 10.2 seconds, while top speed is 192 km/h. That makes it the only generation before 1995 for which both performance figures are measured.
The 2 generation, produced from 1989 to 1993, is also a Sedan with one 6.8 AT version. Its listed output remains 329 hp at 4000 rpm and 738 Nm at 2100 rpm, but acceleration and maximum speed are not measured. The engine, transmission, drive type and 165 mm ground clearance match those of the surrounding generations in the supplied specifications.
The 3 generation, produced from 1993 to 1994, continues as a Sedan with one 6.8 AT. It again has 329 hp at 4000 rpm and 738 Nm at 2100 rpm. Neither its 0–100 km/h time nor its top speed is measured, so the available data does not establish a performance advantage over the 2 generation.
The 4 generation, produced from 1995 to 1999, offers three versions, all named 6.8 AT. They must be distinguished by power: 279 hp, 304 hp and 329 hp. The 279 hp version has 503 Nm, whereas both more powerful alternatives produce 738 Nm. The 304 hp and 329 hp versions have a measured top speed of 225 km/h; their respective 0–100 km/h times are 7.9 and 8.1 seconds. Performance figures for the 279 hp version are not measured.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spur engine and specs
All versions use a front, longitudinal 6748 cc Gasoline engine with 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, 2 valves per cylinder, Turbo boost and Distributed injection (multi-point). Compression ratio is 8, and bore and stroke are 104.1 × 99.1. Every version uses 95 fuel, a 4-speed Automatic transmission and RWD.
| Generation and years | Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation, 1980–1989 | 6.8 AT, 329 hp | 329 hp / 242 kW | 738 Nm | 6748 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2 generation, 1989–1993 | 6.8 AT, 329 hp | 329 hp / 242 kW | 738 Nm | 6748 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 3 generation, 1993–1994 | 6.8 AT, 329 hp | 329 hp / 242 kW | 738 Nm | 6748 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 4 generation, 1995–1999 | 6.8 AT, 279 hp | 279 hp / 205 kW | 503 Nm | 6748 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 4 generation, 1995–1999 | 6.8 AT, 304 hp | 304 hp / 224 kW | 738 Nm | 6748 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 4 generation, 1995–1999 | 6.8 AT, 329 hp | 329 hp / 242 kW | 738 Nm | 6748 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
Because displacement is identical, output per litre provides a direct comparison. The 279 hp version develops about 41.3 hp per litre, the 304 hp version about 45.1 hp per litre, and the 329 hp version about 48.8 hp per litre. Moving from 279 hp to 304 hp adds 25 hp and 235 Nm. Moving from 304 hp to 329 hp adds another 25 hp but no additional listed torque.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spur performance and mpg
| Generation and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation, 6.8 AT, 329 hp | 10.2 seconds | 192 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2 generation, 6.8 AT, 329 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3 generation, 6.8 AT, 329 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4 generation, 6.8 AT, 279 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4 generation, 6.8 AT, 304 hp | 7.9 seconds | 225 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4 generation, 6.8 AT, 329 hp | 8.1 seconds | 225 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The measured figures do not make the highest-output 4 generation car the quickest. The 304 hp 6.8 AT reaches 100 km/h 0.2 seconds sooner than the 329 hp 6.8 AT, despite having 25 hp less. Both reach the same measured maximum speed of 225 km/h. Compared with the 1 generation 329 hp version, the 4 generation 304 hp version is 2.3 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and has a top speed that is 33 km/h higher.
No city, highway or combined fuel-consumption figure is measured for any Silver Spur version in the data. Consequently, an mpg comparison—including a specific 1991 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur mpg figure—cannot be made from this catalogue. CO₂ output and ecological class are also not measured for every version.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spur dimensions and weight
All listed versions have 165 mm of ground clearance. Fuel-tank capacity and wheel sizes are not measured for any generation. Gross weight is also not measured throughout the range.
Kerb weight is measured only for the 1995–1999 6.8 AT with 304 hp, at 2470 kg. That equals approximately 8.1 kg per horsepower. Kerb weight is not measured for the 279 hp and 329 hp versions of the 4 generation, or for the versions in the preceding generations, so equivalent weight-per-horsepower comparisons would not be supported by the data.
Every listed version has Independent, spring front suspension, Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes. Independent, spring rear suspension is recorded for the 279 hp and 304 hp versions of the 4 generation; the rear-suspension specification is not measured for the other entries.
Which Rolls-Royce Silver Spur version should you buy?
The 4 generation 6.8 AT with 304 hp is the strongest evidence-based choice. It combines 738 Nm with the quickest measured acceleration, completing 0–100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. Its 225 km/h top speed equals that of the 329 hp alternative, and its 2470 kg kerb weight permits a useful weight-per-horsepower calculation that cannot be made for the other versions.
The 4 generation 6.8 AT with 329 hp suits a buyer who prioritizes the highest listed power. It produces 25 hp more than the 304 hp version and reaches about 48.8 hp per litre, but torque remains 738 Nm, top speed remains 225 km/h, and the measured 0–100 km/h time is 0.2 seconds slower. The supplied numbers therefore do not show a straight-line performance gain from its additional power.
The 4 generation 6.8 AT with 279 hp is the weakest specification numerically. It gives up 25 hp and 235 Nm to the 304 hp version, while its acceleration and top speed are not measured. Without price data, its lower output cannot be balanced against a documented saving, so the catalogue cannot show what a buyer receives in exchange for choosing it.
Among earlier cars, the 1 generation 6.8 AT with 329 hp offers the most transparent performance record because both 10.2-second acceleration and a 192 km/h maximum speed are measured. The 2 generation and 3 generation versions list the same 329 hp and 738 Nm but lack measured acceleration and top-speed figures. No reliability or problems data is supplied for any generation, so those factors cannot fairly separate them.
Prices, asking prices, limousine specifications and sale listings are not included in the data. There is therefore no supported Rolls-Royce Silver Spur price, Silver Spur II price, price in India or “for sale” recommendation to report. On specifications alone, choose the 304 hp 6.8 AT for the best measured performance, the 329 hp 6.8 AT for the highest listed power, or the 1 generation 6.8 AT if measured performance matters more than selecting a later generation.