Bentley has announced a significant step towards the future with the introduction of an all-new, performance-focused V8 hybrid powertrain, which will succeed its iconic W12 engine. Named the Ultra Performance Hybrid, this new powertrain marks Bentley’s commitment to delivering the highest power output ever offered in a Bentley vehicle, alongside unparalleled dynamism, responsiveness, and efficiency, ushering in a new era of daily supercars.
The Ultra Performance Hybrid continues Bentley’s tradition of enhancing class-leading combustion engines with cutting-edge technology to elevate performance. Building on Bentley’s existing hybrid powertrains, this new system introduces “electrocharging,” employing a potent hybrid setup to achieve the most advanced and powerful powertrain in Bentley’s history. With over 750PS and an electric-only range of 80km, it surpasses the performance of the previous W12 engine by at least 91PS, previously offered in the Flying Spur and GT W12 Speed derivatives.
As Bentley’s iconic 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine nears retirement after powering 105,000 engines over the last two decades, the Ultra Performance Hybrid will take the lead as Bentley’s premier powertrain. It will propel a new generation of Bentleys, establishing them as the world’s finest electrified luxury performance vehicles. Despite delivering more power and torque than the W12, the Ultra Performance Hybrid will achieve a WLTP drive cycle CO2 figure of under 50 g/km.
The character of the new engine is previewed with an engine sound clip, showcasing a blend of cross-plane bass and a free-revving growl, representing the spectrum of audio experiences offered by the powertrain. This ranges from dynamic engine notes to absolute silence in electric mode.
More details on Bentley’s new electrified powertrain, driving the next phase of its Beyond 100 journey, will be revealed in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, customers can still enjoy the remaining examples of Bentley’s W12 and non-hybrid V8 engines available through Bentley’s global retailer network.
