The Bentley Continental R, was first seen at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show "Project 90" had been exhibited by Rolls-Royce and this was a mock-up of a future Bentley Coupé. Reactions had been so enthusiastic that within five years the company had developed a completely new Coupé this was unveiled as the Bentley Continental R 1991. Based on the Bentley Turbo R floorpan an aerodynamically shaped coupé body had been styled. The well-proven 6.75 Litre turbocharged engine from the Bentley Turbo R had been chosen.

Performance of the 1996 Bentley Continental T were without equal. The Continental T had 590 lb/ft (800Nm) and from 1997 650 lb/ft 875Nm) positioned this car at the top. There existed no other passenger motor car in the world which came even near this figure. The Bentley Continental T was a 2+2 coupé developed from the Bentley Continental R with a more athletic outward appearance due to a 4 in (10 cm) shorter wheelbase and extended front and rear wheel arches. The driver found an engine-turned dash with chrome finish instruments, (as opposed to the wood finish in the Continental R) as a delicate reminiscence of the heyday of Bentley. The Continental T's engine responded to a separate push-button starter. All Continental's were aimed at crossing continents with ease and luxury.

Introduced in 1999 the Bentley Continental T Mulliner could be specified by a discerning Bentley driver by comparison to the basic model. Modified shock absorbers in combination with stiffer torsion bars (front +40%, rear +20%) did permit to use the engine's most impressive power even under conditions, which previously might have been considered as beyond the limit.

However, many of the motoring press critised the Continental T's soggy handling and lack of quick responses, which the company claimed it had. Although, they all fell in love with the sheer presence and character of the car.