Bentley’s W12 engine is dead; a new hybrid V8 enters the fray
The Bentley’s 6.0-litre W12 engine is defunct, and this comes as the brand shifts towards a sustainable future.
Only 18 units of the Mulliner Bantur, the last model to use the iconic powerplant, were available. Since 2002, Bentley has built over 105,000 units of the W12 engine at its Dream Factory in England.
While the W12 is held in high regard and forms part of the brand’s traditions, regrettably, even the most exceptional things must eventually conclude. However, the Crewe-based automaker has revealed a new performance V8 hybrid engine that succeeds the W12 unit.
With four fewer pistons, it’s no slouch, thanks to a powerful electric motor, and according to Bentley, the V8 hybridised engine will have more than the 551kW churned by the Bantur’s W12 powerhouse, thus making it the most dynamic, responsive, and efficient engine in Bentley’s history books.
Bentley doesn’t give out specific details about the new hybridised V8 engine but says it will have up to 80km of EV range before the combustion engine takes over propelling duties. The V8 engine is likely to be based on the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine in the Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, but we are only speculating at this stage.
In a brief video that Bentley shared, the new V8 engine's distinct sound is audible and exhibits the distinctive growl associated with V8 engines. This suggests that, despite the use of hybrid technology, the V8 is still capable of maintaining its V8 character.
Despite the death of the W12 engine, Bentley says those who still wish to own it can buy the 484kW variants of the Speed versions of the Continental GT, Bentayga, Flying Spur, Continental GT Mulliner, and Flying Spur Mulliner.
The same Dream Factory in Crewe, England will construct the new V8 hybrid engine.
As we bid farewell to the iconic W12, the new hybridised V8 engine further proves that the brand still has something even more powerful in store for its formidable models.
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