Bentley to Produce W12 Engines for as Long as Possible
Bentley wants to be the last automaker in the world to manufacture 12-cylinder engines.
While automakers worldwide are downsizing their engines to improve fuel economy and meet stricter emissions standards, Bentley has to plans on cutting its 12-cylinder engines from production. Currently, the automaker assembles W-12 powerplants for the entire Volkswagen Group and plans to lead future development of the engines. Rumor has it that Bentley plans to add direct injection to its 6.0-liter twin-turbo W-12 engine.
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Currently the engine can be found on the Bentley Continental and Flying Spur models, but it will be offered in its upcoming SUV. Last year, the company built 5,000 W-12 engines but production is expected to nearly double to around 9,000 units once the SUV is in full production. Top-of-the-line Audi A8 models also use the W-12 engine, albeit in low volume.
Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled its new S65 AMG Coupe, which is powered by a V12 engine. The German automaker has also expressed its desires to keep producing V12s and using them in their range-topping models.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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