Bentley Motors, renowned for its luxury vehicles, is celebrating a significant milestone as it concludes the production of the last hand-built, high-performance 12-cylinder engine at its UK headquarters in Crewe.
This event marks a pivotal moment in Bentley’s history, signifying the end of an era as the final W12-powered Bentayga, Continental GT, and Flying Spur cars roll off the production line at the company’s Dream Factory. Over 100,000 W12 engines have been meticulously crafted since their debut in the original Continental GT back in 2003.
The decision to cease production aligns with Bentley’s forward-thinking Beyond100 strategy, aimed at positioning the company as a global leader in sustainable luxury mobility.
To commemorate this special occasion, a celebratory lunch was hosted for the W12 assembly and R&D teams at Bentley’s Heritage Garage in Crewe. Following the gathering, attendees participated in a portrait photograph session at the Pyms Lane Plaza, capturing the essence of this historic moment. Assembly colleagues were also presented with a symbolic gift—a commemorative W12 engine piston—to cherish the legacy of this remarkable engine.
Andreas Lehe, a key figure at Bentley Motors, expressed pride in the W12 engine’s legacy, emphasizing its transformative impact on Bentley’s trajectory. He highlighted the engine’s pivotal role in reshaping the company’s identity and noted the significance of designing, developing, and manufacturing such an iconic engine in Britain for an extended period.
The 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, recognized as the most successful 12-cylinder powerplant of the modern era, will make way for an all-new, performance-focused powertrain, ushering in a new era for Bentley. The upcoming Ultra High Performance Hybrid will feature a potent V8 combustion engine paired with advanced battery technology, leveraging an innovative ‘Electrocharging’ hybrid system to enhance performance and efficiency.
This new powertrain promises the highest output ever offered in any Bentley vehicle, driving a new generation of dynamic, responsive, and efficient supercars. Bentley’s entire lineup will soon be available with this electrified powertrain, offering enhanced power output compared to the retiring W12 engine while achieving a remarkably low WLTP drive cycle CO2 figure of just 50 g/km.
Dr. Matthias Rabe, a key figure in Bentley’s R&D division, acknowledged the W12 engine’s profound impact on the company’s development and success. He praised the collaborative efforts of R&D and manufacturing teams in realizing this milestone, emphasizing the engine’s role as a cornerstone innovation in Bentley’s storied history. Today marks the culmination of a journey characterized by continuous progress in power, performance, emissions, and refinement—an achievement that all involved can take pride in.