Skip advert
Advertisement

Bentley's W12 engine to go out of production in 2024

After two decades of service, Bentley’s W12 engine will bow out under the bonnet of the limited-run Batur coupe

Bentley Batur W12

The W12 engine has been a staple of modern Bentleys since the first Continental GT in 2003, but with ambitious emissions targets on the horizon, the firm is putting the iconic engine to rest at the end of this year. Order books for W12-powered models will close in December, but not before the Bentley Batur arrives with the most powerful version of the engine yet. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

All 18 examples of the car have been sold, each based upon the same MSP platform as the Continental GT - albeit with a bespoke design that hints at future models. The two-seat grand tourer costs from £1.65million, and its uprated 6.0-litre W12 makes it the most powerful Bentley road car ever, putting out 739bhp and 1,000Nm of torque. 

Production of the W12 will officially end in April next year, by which time Bentley will have produced over 100,000 examples. According to the firm, a limited number of order slots remain for its core 12-cylinder models, which will be discontinued in favour of the current V8 and V6 hybrid variants. 

Bentley W12

Until then, the W12 will be available in 650bhp form, as fitted to Speed versions of the Bentayga, Flying Spur and Continental GT, as well as Mulliner editions of the firm’s saloon and two-door GT. 

Later this year, the Continental GT will receive plug-in hybrid power for the first time as part of a facelift, which could see it adopt an electrified 3.0-litre V6 or a 4.0-litre V8 hybrid sourced from the VW Group. For reference, the V8-powered Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid produces 690bhp from its hybrid set-up, surpassing the outgoing W12. 

The move towards electrification forms part of Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy, which will see the company launch its first electric car in 2025. The brand’s line-up will consist exclusively of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles a year later; and by 2030, the entire Bentley range will be fully electric.

Click here for our first review of the new Bentley Bentayga EWB...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Rétromobile 2025: inside France’s giant classic car show
Rétromobile 2025

Rétromobile 2025: inside France’s giant classic car show

Classic car shows can draw in massive crowds but Rétromobile is on a different scale…
News
5 Feb 2025
Bentley ‘Urban SUV’ to headline revised Beyond100+ product strategy
Bentley teaser

Bentley ‘Urban SUV’ to headline revised Beyond100+ product strategy

Sleek new SUV to be under five metres long and will be built right here in Britain under the revised product strategy
News
20 Nov 2024
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 - MG sculpture

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights

2024’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was a celebration of over 130 years of engine tech, but it also looked well into the future
News
17 Jul 2024
Bentley W12 engine is dead: long live the ‘Ultra Performance Hybrid’ powertrain
New Bentley 'Ultra Performance Hybrid' engine

Bentley W12 engine is dead: long live the ‘Ultra Performance Hybrid’ powertrain

The iconic 12-cylinder Bentley engine bids farewell after 21 years of service
News
8 May 2024

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it
Renault 5 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it

The reborn Renault 5 is one of the most feverishly anticipated cars in a long time, and at such a low price, our Deal of the Day for 8 February is a p…
News
8 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts