A worker inspects a Bentayga SUV on the Bentley production line at their factory in Crewe, Britain, on December 7, 2022.
Phil Noble | Reuters
Bentley Motors plans to end production of its 12-cylinder engine next April as the famous luxury car maker transitions to electric cars.
The British ultra-luxury performance carmaker said the milestone will be celebrated with the most powerful version of the W12 engine ever created, with 740 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque.
Bentley said the upgraded engine will only be used in 18 Bentley Batur – hand-built two-seater performance cars that start at around $2 million. The vehicles have already been sold, the prestigious automaker said.
“The time has come to retire this now iconic powertrain as we make strides toward electrification,” Bentley Chairman and CEO Adrian Hallmark said in a statement.
The end of the W12 is the latest example of automakers shifting to purely electric vehicles. Bentley said last year it would spend 2.5 billion pounds (about $3 billion) over the next decade to become an all-electric luxury brand by 2030.
A company that is owned Volkswagensaid a limited number of 649bhp W12 engines are available for the Continental GT, Bentayga and Flying Spur versions.
Production of the W12 engine will be replaced by expanded assembly of V8 and V6 hybrid engines, according to the company. Bentley says it has produced more than 100,000 W12 engines since assembly began in 2003.
The company said it plans to transfer the 30 workers who make the engine at its famous factory in Crewe, England, to other operations.
Bentley’s all-electric vision is in line with other automakers, but it differs significantly from its famous rival, Ferrari. The Italian sports car maker, which currently produces V6, V8 and V12 engines, said it will continue to do so as long as there is sufficient demand for them.
