UNITED KINGDOM: Luxury carmaker Bentley has announced that it will end production of its W12 engine in April 2024.
To celebrate the end of an era, Bentley is launching a limited-edition Speed Edition 12 of its Bentayga, Continental GT, Continental GTC, and Flying Spur models. Each model will be available in a limited run of just 120 units.
The Continental GT and Continental GT Convertible will feature Speed Edition 12 badges on the front fender, while the Bentayga and Flying Spur will have the emblem on the rear pillar.
Bentley will display a numbered plaque on the engine cover, adding a personalised touch to each unit.
All the models will come with the Blackline package, which darkens the exterior chrome and rides on 22-inch wheels.
The silver brake callipers are prominently visible behind them. The Speed Edition 12 models will also be available in a new colour called Opalite, a mix of light grey and green with a copper-finish effect when the sun hits the body.
Inside the cabin, Bentley is offering several upholstery options, including an all-Beluga black or a two-tone mix of that colour with Brunel blue, Cricket Ball red, linen, or orange.
The seats feature Mulliner Silver piping, and the contrast stitching combines the hues Anthracite, Porpoise, and Stratos.
These models come with high-gloss Grand Black wood veneer trim, and the organ stops’ air vents have “12” machined into them.
As a special touch, the Speed Edition 12 models also come with a 15 percent scale of the W12 engine cast from aluminium.
Bentley has produced over 100,000 examples of the W12 engine since its introduction in 2003 for the Continental GT.
The W-cylinder configuration allowed the engine to be 24 percent shorter than a V12.
However, electrification is the future for Bentley, as the brand plans to offer only electric vehicles by 2030.
The first electric model will arrive in 2026. Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark has revealed that the electric vehicle will have two battery options, including what he calls “the W12 of batteries.”
The electric motors will produce 50 to 100 percent more power than the current combustion engines, with driving ranges of up to 450 miles.
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