Bentley has announced its latest V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, designed to succeed the iconic W12 engine. This new powertrain, named the Ultra Performance Hybrid, is positioned to be the most dynamic, responsive, and efficient system in Bentley’s history, signaling a new direction for the brand’s lineup of luxury vehicles.
The Ultra Performance Hybrid continues Bentley’s tradition of incorporating advanced technology to enhance performance. Building on the existing hybrid powertrains, this new system is expected to deliver more than 750 PS and an electric-only range of 50 miles (80 km), surpassing the power output of the previous W12 engine by at least 91 PS.
As Bentley prepares to retire its iconic W12 engine, which has seen over 105,000 engines built over two decades, the Ultra Performance Hybrid is poised to become the brand’s flagship powertrain. It will power a new generation of Bentleys, positioning them as some of the world’s top electrified luxury performance vehicles, with a WLTP drive cycle CO2 figure of under 50 g/km.
The new powertrain’s character is exemplified by an engine sound clip released by Bentley, showcasing a blend of cross-plane bass with a free-revving growl. This sound profile represents one end of the audio spectrum offered by the powertrain, which can also operate in silence in electric mode.
Bentley’s new electrified powertrain will play a significant role in the brand’s Beyond 100 journey, with plans for every car in the range to be available as a hybrid. More details on the new powertrain will be revealed in the coming weeks, while customers can still enjoy the remaining examples of Bentley’s W12 and non-hybrid V8 engines, available through Bentley’s global retailer network.
