Bentley Eight

Bentley Eight

Manufacturer	Bentley
Production	1984–1992 1736 produced
Assembly	Crewe, United Kingdom
Successor	Bentley Brooklands
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Engine	6.75 L (411.9 cu in) Rolls-Royce V8
Transmission	4-sp 4L80-E automatic
Wheelbase	3,061 mm (120.5 in)
Length	5,310 mm (209.1 in)
Width	1,890 mm (74.4 in)
Height	1,490 mm (58.7 in)
Kerb weight	2,320.2 kg (5,115 lb)
Related	Bentley Mulsanne Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

The Eight was Bentley's "entry-level" offering from 1984 until 1992. Distinguished mainly by a wire-mesh grille radiator instead of vertical slats, the Eight also had somewhat less equipment than the similar Mulsanne on which it was based. A firmer suspension offered slight handling improvements. The Eight was so popular that sales expanded from the original UK market to Europe and the United States.

Model specification

The Eight was introduced with cloth upholstery, steel wheels, and a mesh grille that was simpler than the slatted grille of the Mulsanne. Fuel injection and anti-lock brakes were added in 1986, leather upholstery and power memory seats were added in 1987, and automatic ride height adjustment was added in 1990. Catalytic converters became optional in 1990. The three-speed automatic transmission was replaced by a four-speed transmission in August 1992.

References

• "Conceptcarz.com - 1989 Bentley Eight - Specifications". Conceptcarz.com. Daniel Vaughan. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/default.aspx?carID=12135&catID=0&eventID=&i=2#menu. Retrieved 2009-02-18. 
• Dawe, Jason (2002-11-17). "Bentley Eight". Times Online (London, United Kingdom: Times Newspapers). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/used_car_reviews/article823822.ece. Retrieved 2009-02-18. 
• "Octane: Model specs - 1984-1992 Bentley Eight Saloon". Octane. London, United Kingdom: Dennis Publishing. http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=1561. Retrieved 2009-02-18. 
• Roßfeldt, K.J.. "Bentley Eight (1984 - 1992)". Rolls-Royce and Bentley Photos, Reports and Books from the Archives of K.J. Roßfeldt. Schwerte, Germany. http://www.rrab.com/beight.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-18.