Bentley Continental Flying Spur 2006 Only 16k Miles Nav Lthr Snrf Loaded Clean on 2040-cars

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Bentley warns its 6.0-liter W12 engine won't survive beyond 2026

Bentley confirmed it will only sell plug-in hybrid and electric models by 2026, so its W12 engine will either be axed. Autoblog learned from a company spokesperson that the latter solution has been chosen. "No more W12," a representative replied when we asked what the future holds for the engine. It's a tectonic shift for Bentley, which proudly calls itself one of the industry's largest manufacturers of 12-cylinders. What remains to be seen is when the 6.0-liter will retire. Jan-Henrik Lafrentz, Bentley's board member for finance, affirmed there is "a lot of mileage left in [the W12]," which suggests it's not going away in the coming days, weeks, or months. Its days are undoubtedly numbered, however, which shows the British firm isn't afraid to make difficult decisions to keep up with regulations and market demand. It illustrated this point well when it axed the Mulsanne, its flagship model in the 2010s, earlier in 2020. Pivoting toward electric powertrains gives it an opportunity to return to the segment; sedans normally return better range than comparable SUVs because they tend to be lighter and more aerodynamic. Will it? Executives didn't say a comeback is imminent, but they didn't rule it out, either. "The market for big sedans is interesting. It has changed a lot over the past 20 years. It's not in a growth phase. While we have a great heritage in that space, we have a perfect sedan with the Flying Spur, so let's see what evolves as we release and reveal our electric car strategy," said company boss Adrian Hallmark. Bentley's first series-produced electric car is tentatively due out in 2025. Built on a new platform, it will be the first in a full range of EVs, and the company pledged to phase out the internal combustion engine by 2030.

Bentley's SUV will be first of many plug-in hybrids

Bentley is not exactly a company known for its environmental credentials. Sure, it recently cut its water usage down by over a third, and given the relatively small number of vehicles it produces, the British firm's overall impact on the environment may be negligible compared to mass-market rivals. And of course, its affluent customers are hardly likely to feel the pinch of rising fuel costs, so Bentley's idea of engine downsizing has been going from twelve cylinders to eight.
That will all change with the launch of its first SUV, previewed by the controversial EXP 9 F concept and expected to be called Falcon. To hear Auto Express tell it, the luxo-ute is being designed from the get-go to incorporate a plug-in hybrid powertrain, slated to go on sale a year after the conventional version arrives late in 2015 or early 2016. But that's just the tip of the iceberg which Bentley is trying to help keep from melting.
Following the Falcon, other Bentleys are slated to get PHEV systems as well. It'll just take a while. That's because current models like the Continental and Mulsanne were never designed to incorporate PHEV powertrain systems in the first place. So while they may get them in the long run, their integration will likely have to wait until their replacements arrive.

Limited-production Odyssean Edition is the greenest Bentley Bentayga yet

Ultra-luxury cars with six-figure price tags haven’t historically been the most environmentally focused vehicles, but thatÂ’s changing. Rolls-Royce will release its first EV in 2023 and convert its entire lineup to electric by 2030. Bentley is on pace to do the same, and today the automaker announced what it says is its most sustainable Bentayga model. Bentley will build only 70 examples of the Bentayga Odyssean Edition and says that it focused on including sustainable, environmentally friendly materials such as tweed and responsibly sourced woods. Interior color groups with names like “Beluga,” “Porpoise,” and “Cricketball” give buyers a wide variety of three-color themes to choose from, and Bentley says the interior embroidery “sees thread colors blend calmly into one another across the width of each seat.” The Odyssean EditionÂ’s PHEV powertrain includes a 3.0-liter gas engine and a 100 kW electric motor. The two combine for 456 horsepower and can propel the stately SUV from 0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds. Bentley says acceleration is effortless because of the electric motor and notes a top speed of 158 mph. An 18-kWh battery provides an all-electric range of 28 miles (WLTP), and drivers can choose between three modes to use or conserve battery power. EV Drive, Hybrid Mode, and Hold Mode can be engaged manually or selected automatically by the vehicle, but EV Mode is the default on start. The SUV can automatically adapt power output settings based on road conditions, driving directions, and driver behavior. It also pokes the driver to let them know when to save battery. In EV Mode, for example, Bentley uses the SUVÂ’s navigation system with visual and haptic feedback to alert the driver when there are opportunities to conserve or regain battery power. The gas pedal vibrates when approaching an intersection or lower speed limit zone, letting the driver know to lift off and let regenerative braking take over. The system also vibrates on the transition between electric and gas powertrain components. Related video: