Bentley's Diesel Shock

In a move that will shock many enthusiasts, Auto Express can exclusively reveal that Bentley is considering making a diesel car. Amazingly, marketing director Adrian Hallmark has said an oil-burner could be added to the line-up.
"It is a characteristic of our cars to have high-torque, low-revving engines, and a diesel meets these criteria very well," he explained. "There have been some huge advances in diesel technology over recent years." However, he added that only a high-performance powerplant would be considered.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Mat Watson

02nd June 2004

The obvious choice would be the 5.0-litre V10 TDI made by parent firm VW and used in the Touareg off-roader. With 715Nm of torque - more pulling power than any engine previously fitted to a Bentley - it would seem ideal.

But don't place your order just yet. The V10 is too large to sit under the sloping bonnets of the Continental GT, the forthcoming four-door Silver Spur, due in mid-2005, or the convertible, set to arrive a year later. However, the Audi A8's new 4.0-litre V8 diesel would fit, and it offers the same torque as the Continental GT's bi-turbo W12 petrol unit. But its 270bhp is unlikely to satisfy the power demands of Bentley's customers. What is possible, though, is that two of the engines could be mated to produce a V16 for the next Arnage. This car is expected to appear within four years, and will be similar in size to the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

However, it looks as if these new offerings won't be unveiled in traditional style at an international motor show. We can reveal that Bentley is set to re-duce its presence at such events, and could pull out of some altogether.

Hallmark explained: "It costs a lot of money to appear at a show. There are less expensive yet far more effective ways to launch a new model." But he pledged that the firm would always be committed to the British Motor Show.