Bentley is forging ahead into the future with an exciting announcement: the iconic W12 engine will be succeeded by a cutting-edge V8 hybrid powertrain. This new powertrain marks a significant milestone for Bentley, delivering unprecedented power, dynamism, responsiveness, and efficiency, setting the stage for a new era of daily supercars.
Dubbed the Ultra Performance Hybrid, this new powertrain continues Bentley’s legacy of enhancing class-leading combustion engines with advanced technology. From the supercharging of the 1920s to the turbocharging of the 1980s to the present day, Bentley has always pushed the boundaries of performance.
Now, with the introduction of ‘electrocharging,’ Bentley is elevating performance to new heights by leveraging a potent hybrid system, making it the most advanced and powerful powertrain in Bentley’s illustrious 105-year history. Building upon Bentley’s existing hybrid technology, the Ultra Performance Hybrid delivers over 750 PS and boasts an electric-only range of up to 50 miles (80 km) – a significant leap forward from the W12 engine previously offered in models like the Flying Spur and GT W12 Speed derivatives.
As Bentley’s legendary 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine prepares for retirement after powering over 105,000 vehicles over two decades, the Ultra Performance Hybrid is poised to become Bentley’s flagship powertrain.
It will propel a new generation of Bentleys, cementing their status as the world’s premier electrified luxury performance vehicles. Despite its enhanced power and torque, the Ultra Performance Hybrid will achieve a WLTP drive cycle CO2 figure of under 50 g/km, demonstrating Bentley’s commitment to sustainability.
Today, Bentley offers a sneak peek into the character of the new engine with an engine sound clip that captures an attractive blend of cross-plane bass and free-revving growl. This sonic experience represents just one aspect of the powertrain’s versatility, contrasting sharply with the serene silence it offers in electric mode. Stay tuned for more details on Bentley’s groundbreaking electrified powertrain, which will drive the next phase of Bentley’s Beyond 100 journeys.
With every car in the range set to be available as a hybrid, Bentley is poised to redefine the future of luxury automotive excellence. In the meantime, Engine enthusiasts can still experience the final examples of Bentley’s W12 and non-hybrid V8 engines through Bentley’s global retailer network.
