The Bentley Turbo R was based on the the Bentley Mulsanne's chassis, however the Turbo R was built to be a high performance car. Like the Mulsanne, the Bentley Turbo had a turbo charged engine, however the Turbo's engine was highly tuned in comparison to the Mulsanne's. With Bosch fuel injection to increase torque levels, uprated suspension, anti-roll bars and superior dampers the Bentley Turbo was suprisingly nimble in the bends for a car of its size. Using a 6750cc V8 capable of 135mph the Bentley Turbo R was a real performer in a straight line too. Although the addition of alloy wheels, a first for Bentley, had some Bentley enthusiasts and owners clubs thinking the car was slightly too flamboant, rave reveiws in the press helped dealers move the Turbo R in relatively substantial numbers ('Motor Trend' described it as "the first Bentley in decades deserving of the famous name").

Released in 1985 the Turbo R was a clear indication that Bentley Motors Ltd intended to be at the leading edge of the fashionable sports car market. Sales were sufficiant enough for Bentley to decide to cease production of the Mulsanne, despite Bentley initially intending to keep both cars in production. Once this decision had been made, the Bentley turbo R went on to be one of the best ever selling cars that the Rolls-Royce or Bentley had ever built. A slight face-lift of the Turbo went ahead in 1989, with the most noticable change being the replacement of the 2 large, sqaure front head-lamps with quad round head-lamps; giving the car a more sporty and individual look. Eventually rplaced in 1997 by the Bentley urbo RT, 7230 Turbo R's were sold.