Bentley finally lives with its era and the climate emergency

Driving a Bentley is living in a world apart. A world finally caught up by climate emergencies and the need to consume less.

It was no longer possible, for Bentley, to slow down further. The switch to hybrid might be an insult to its past, but not to its future. Which would not have existed without a somewhat partial reassessment. Even the great rival Rolls-Royce has already shifted to electric, aware that luxury lies in silence and the quiet strength of this new powertrain.

With drums and trumpets, Bentley announces its move into hybrids, 20 years behind the competition. Some might laugh at this. The Crewe manufacturer in England thus promises to kill its “iconic 6.0-liter W12 engine” to replace it with a new V8 hybrid powertrain.

Thanks for the ozone layer!

To make the pill easier to swallow, Bentley proudly states that this engine will be even more powerful than the one it replaces. Therefore, not sure if saving the planet is the main concern: 750 horsepower and 80 kilometers in 100% electric mode. That’s 91 more horsepower than the previous W12, built in 105,000 units. A remarkable feat, by the way.

However, let’s celebrate the CO2 emissions value of just 50 g/km. Say goodbye to the 60,000 euro eco-tax; it’s important to consider customers’ purchasing power.

This model will go into production in summer 2024, with more details to follow soon. In the meantime, Bentley concludes its announcement: “Customers can continue to enjoy the remaining units of Bentley’s non-hybrid W12 and V8 engines.” It would be a shame to give that up.

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