Bentley's Edition 8 lineup announces end of petrol-only V8 engine
Bentley, the renowned British luxury car manufacturer, has announced the discontinuation of its petrol-only V8 engine. The new Edition 8 lineup, including models such as the Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, and the Flying Spur, will be the last to feature this mill. However, Bentley's Bentayga model will continue to use the pure V8 for an unspecified period. This significant change was primarily announced for North America, but will also impact other global markets.
Bentley's Edition 8 lineup: A lavish farewell to V8
The Edition 8 lineup, available in over 60 colors through Bentley's Mulliner division, is a farewell to the petrol-only V8 engine. These vehicles feature 22-inch wheels in five and ten-spoke designs, and self-leveling center caps. According to Bentley, these are the most "lavishly equipped" variants, and sport special badging on the fenders of the Continental cars and the Flying Spur's rear pillar. Since its debut in 2012, over 53,000 Continental GT/GTC and Flying Spurs have been manufactured with this engine.
Bentley's transition to hybrid powertrain
Bentley will introduce the "Ultra Performance Hybrid" powertrain, combining a V8 with hybrid assistance. This setup will deliver over 740hp/1,000Nm. The firm confirmed that it will replace its W12 engine with a V8-based plug-in hybrid powertrain that generates 750hp. Bentley suggested this setup would produce "four-figure torque over a wider plateau", implying it could match the 1,000Nm of the tuned W12 in the Batur. The Continental GT/GTC and Flying Spur will be updated with these new powertrains later this year.
Bentley's electrification plans and delays
Bentley already offers hybrid powertrains based on smaller V6 engines in the Flying Spur and Bentayga models. The sedan gets a 2.9-liter unit, while the SUV employs a slightly larger 3.0-liter mill. The Continental GT and GT Convertible are also set to undergo electrification later this year, likely with the new Ultra Performance Hybrid. However, Bentley has delayed its first battery-electric car from next year to late 2026, due to setbacks in the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) program.
