New plug-in V8 hybrid boasts increased power compared to old 12-cylinder engine.
Bentley has announced that they will reveal further information about the replacement of their W12 engine in the following months. As we wait for these details, Wayne Bruce, Chief Communications Officer at Bentley, has shared some exciting news about the upcoming hybrid setup. He confirmed that it will have a greater power output than the current 12-cylinder engine.
“We have a new high-performance hybrid drivetrain coming in the not-too-distant future,” Bruce revealed in an interview with Australia’s carsales. “The high performance that’s coming will have more combined power than the W12, but we’ll reveal more details in the upcoming months.”
According to Bruce, the production of the last W12 has been confirmed for the end of April 2024 in Crewe. This marks the conclusion of a successful 21-year period, during which a total of 105,000 units were expertly crafted by hand in the factory starting from 2003. The highly coveted Edition 12 models, powered by the W12 engine, have all been sold out.
but Bentley’s version may be detuned.Last year, a number of plug-in hybrid versions of the Flying Spur and Continental GT from car brand Bentley were spotted out for testing. These sightings indicate that the company is planning to release a V8 plug-in hybrid with a high output of over 650 horsepower and 664 lb-ft, similar to the current W12 model. It is predicted that the engine choice for this new model will be the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid found in the latest Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, which boasts an impressive 670 hp and 685 lb-ft of torque. However, it is possible that Bentley’s version will have slightly lower power figures.
Aside from their current lineup of hybrid cars, Bentley is also putting effort into developing their first ever fully electric model. This much-awaited creation is predicted to hit the market by 2026, boasting twice the power of their renowned W12 engine. Along with this exciting launch, four other electric models are slated to be released within the next decade.
Despite the shift towards pure electric vehicles, Bentley will continue to provide plug-in hybrid options. According to CEO Bruce, there is a growing desire for PHEVs and this sentiment is echoed by other car manufacturers in recent times.
With that being said, it is probable that we will witness the sale of both plug-in hybrid and electric Bentleys simultaneously, yet without them sharing a common body or nameplate. In simpler terms, Bentley will not be offering multiple powertrain options for each model.
