William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

August 21, 2012

Since February of this year, Bentley has said they're looking into the plug-in hybrid powertrain for their upcoming SUV. But the SUV isn't the only vehicle that Bentley is considering for a hybrid.

Car and Driver learned from former Bentley CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer that future Bentley models, including the SUV, will be available with a plug-in hybrid option.

Also being worked on for future Bentley model are diesel engines. Dürheimer reveals that prototype vehicles with diesel engines are up and running. Dürheimer didn't reveal any details, but Car and Driver speculates that Bentley will use Audi’s next-generation V8 diesel engine producing more than 400 HP.

There is some bad news with Bentley's powertrains. The venerable 6.75L (or 6 3/4) twin-turbo V8 used in the Mulsanne will be retired.

“I believe the 6.75-liter V-8 can retire,” said Dürheimer.

The reason? Bentley is setting itself to be VW's center for 12-cylinder engines. Having your flagship model using a V8 is a no-no. However, the change won't be happening until the next generation Mulsanne is released, and no one knows when that will be happening.

Source: Car and Driver

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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Considering that this affects only the upper 1%, this is a non event for me!

I would hope they do a nice large capacity Turbo V12 to replace the 6.75L V8! That atrange W12 should go and be replaced by the new 4.0L Turbo V8 in the continental line! They could use a hybrid systen with the new V12 and even the V8 to improve the efficiency!

Considering that this affects only the upper 1%, this is a non event for me!

LOL - What is there to add to that ?? Hilarious...!

It's a BENTLEY, Bentley folks...leave a big honkin' gas powered V8 or V12 in it !!

Jeeves, filler up please? ..and of course, premium Jeeves, but you know that already why I keep telling you that I don't know...sorry! Here's the BP card, thanks boo

Look at all the hollywood types that drive around in Pruises and Escalade Hybrids. There is a market for it.

dfelt, on 21 August 2012 - 07:22 AM, said:

Considering that this affects only the upper 1%, this is a non event for me!

LOL - What is there to add to that ?? Hilarious...! It's a BENTLEY, Bentley folks...leave a big honkin' gas powered V8 or V12 in it !! Jeeves, filler up please? ..and of course, premium Jeeves, but you know that already why I keep telling you that I don't know...sorry! Here's the BP card, thanks boo

I do not think Jeeves has to ask for the BP card, this person already has his own card supplied by the employer and knows to keep ti fueled, polished and stocked for what ever whim comes their way.

yougojay, on , said:

dfelt, on 21 August 2012 - 07:22 AM, said:

Considering that this affects only the upper 1%, this is a non event for me!

LOL - What is there to add to that ?? Hilarious...! It's a BENTLEY, Bentley folks...leave a big honkin' gas powered V8 or V12 in it !! Jeeves, filler up please? ..and of course, premium Jeeves, but you know that already why I keep telling you that I don't know...sorry! Here's the BP card, thanks boo

I do not think Jeeves has to ask for the BP card, this person already has his own card supplied by the employer and knows to keep ti fueled, polished and stocked for what ever whim comes their way.

Yes, I am all too familiar of how a household with a driver, cook and housekeepers works.

I could use a massage.