V8 hybrid is now the pinnacle powertrain in Bentley’s line-up.
Bentley’s iconic W12 engine will be succeeded by an all-new, performance-focused V8 hybrid powertrain. Producing the highest power output ever offered in a Bentley, the new powertrain is also said to be the most dynamic, responsive and efficient system in Bentley’s history.
A look back into Bentley’s history shows supercharging being added in the 1920s to boost performance. Turbocharging has been a Bentley mainstay since the 1980s.
Now, Bentley is introducing ‘electrocharging’ to further increase performance. The new system builds on Bentley’s existing hybrid powertrains, but goes even further in the level of performance and efficiency, with more than 750hp and a 80km electric-only range.
This means an increase of at least 91hp over the W12 powerplant offered in the Flying Spur and GT W12 Speed models.
As Bentley’s iconic six-litre twin turbo W12 engine heads towards retirement this summer, with 105,000 engines built over the last two decades, the new Ultra Performance Hybrid will take on the mantle as Bentley’s leading powertrain.
While developing more power than the W12 and at least 1,000Nm of torque over a wider plateau, the Ultra Performance Hybrid is also said to deliver a WLTP drive cycle CO2 figure of under 50 g/km.
More details on Bentley’s new electrified powertrain, which will drive the next phase of its Bentley’s Beyond 100 journey and deliver the promise of every car in the range being available as a hybrid, will be released over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, customers can continue to enjoy the final few remaining examples of Bentley’s W12 and non-hybrid V8 engines, available through Bentley’s global retailer network.
Here’s a sample of what the ultra performance V8 hybrid will sound like:
Photo Credits: Bentley
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