The W12 engine was first introduced in 2003 and has been used in various Bentley models over the years. However, the company will now shift its focus to its V8 and V6 hybrid line-up, which it plans to expand in the coming years.
The final 6.0-litre W12 engine will power the 18 Mulliner-crafted Bentley Batur coupes. The updated engine, which features an improved intake, exhaust, and cooling system, will produce 739bhp and 737lb ft, making it the most powerful internal combustion engine ever fitted to a production Bentley car.
Once production ends next year, more than 100,000 examples of the W12 will have been produced since its introduction. Bentley plans to convert its W12 production line to an "expanded area" for V8 and V6 hybrid powertrains.
Production of Bentley’s iconic W12 engine to finish in April 2024 after more than 100,000 units produced in Crewe
The company has already started training some of its engineers to focus on hybrid powertrains, including the potential arrival of a more powerful plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) system. Bentley has confirmed that test mules for this new system are currently in the early stages of testing.
Bentley expects orders for W12 variants of the Continental and Flying Spur to close in December this year, but it hasn't disclosed how many units remain available for purchase. The company's engineering boss, Matthias Rabe, has hinted that the new PHEV system will be based around the V8 engine and will have a peak output of 730bhp, positioning it above the current V6 PHEVs.
Source: Bentley
