The age of the W-12 is over at Bentley. The final 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine has been constructed by technicians on the manufacturing unit in Crewe. To mark the event, the Bentley groups sat down for a particular lunch whereas reminiscing about 21 years with the enduring mill.
Has it actually been 21 years? Technically talking, it has been a bit longer than that. Developed by Volkswagen, the 6.0-liter engine first entered manufacturing with the 2001 Audi A8. Nonetheless, the model utilized by Bentley arrived in 2003 for the Continental GT, gaining a pair of turbochargers within the course of. For the following 20 years, the engine would discover its means into each Bentley whereas being additional developed for extra energy. Beginning out with 552 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, it now makes 740 hp with 737 pound-feet within the gorgeous Batur.
W-12 manufacturing is over, however do not anticipate the engine to only disappear in a single day. Bentley says it is probably the most profitable 12-cylinder of the trendy period, with over 100,000 constructed since 2003. Mainly a pair of V-6 engines squashed collectively, the W-12’s staggered cylinder structure made it considerably shorter than a standard V-12.
“The W-12 has propelled our automobiles and enterprise ahead at an distinctive velocity and can go down as probably the most necessary improvements in our illustrious historical past,” mentioned Dr. Matthias Rabe, member of the board for analysis and growth at Bentley. “Right this moment marks the top of a growth journey that our R&D and manufacturing colleagues through the years needs to be extraordinarily happy with.”
Bentley
Bentley
Changing it as Bentley’s flagship engine is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter hybrid V8. An electrical motor is put in between the engine and transmission, leading to a complete output of 779 hp and 738 lb-ft of twist. It launches with the 2025 Bentley Continental GT Velocity later this yr.
