The Bentley W-12 Is Dead and There's a New Hybrid V-8

Because all good things eventually come to an end, Bentley will retire its iconic W-12 engine this summer. The Batur Convertible is the last hurrah for the twelve-cylinder behemoth. But what comes after? A downsized and electrified alternative, of course.

Bentley announced a new "Ultra Performance Hybrid" as its flagship powertrain. Replacing the venerable 6.0-liter, twin-turbo engine, the hybrid setup is based on a V-8 gasoline engine. Despite having four fewer cylinders, the new unit promises more power—but only with an electric motor. Bentley says the combined output will exceed the 740 horsepower available in the Batur, which is also an extra 89 hp over the Flying Spur Speed and Continental GT Speed models.

The exact amount of torque isn't mentioned but the number will have four figures. Bentley is referring to 1,000 Newton meters, which works out to 738 pound-feet. It's going to be available over a wider rpm range compared to the outgoing W-12. We'll remind you that the Batur has 738 lb-ft of twist from 1,750 to 5,000 rpm.

Bentley mentions the Ultra Performance Hybrid will be its "most dynamic, most responsive” powertrain ever. It'll also be "the most efficient" thanks to hybrid technology. An unspecified battery pack will be good for 50 miles of electric range. That figure is based on the WLTP cycle, so an equivalent EPA rating is likely to be lower.

Touted as a performance-focused hybrid V-8, the new hardware won’t be the first electrified setup from Bentley. The 2.9-liter V-6 hybrid has been around for years. In the Flying Spur, this PHEV configuration is rated at 536 hp and 553 lb-ft combined.

Bentley will use its Ultra Performance Hybrid in a new family of “daily supercars” without the W-12. The old engine has been built in 105,000 examples over the last 20 years, during which it gained almost 40 percent more power. Fuel consumption went down by 25 percent, but the new hybrid V-8 aims to deliver even greater efficiency.

Bentley's all-electric future has been pushed back. The automaker originally planned to offer only EVs from 2030, but the new target is 2033. In addition, the first zero-emission model has been delayed by about a year. It's now scheduled to