Bentley Celebrates the Iconic W12: A Farewell to the Hand-Built Engine in Crewe
Bentley Motors is celebrating the production of the final hand-built, high-performance 12-cylinder engine at its UK headquarters in Crewe. This marks a pivotal moment in Bentley's history as the last W12-powered Bentayga, Continental GT, and Flying Spur cars complete their assembly at the company's Dream Factory.
Since its debut in the original Continental GT in 2003, Bentley has produced over 100,000 W12 engines. The decision to end production aligns with Bentley's groundbreaking Beyond100 strategy, positioning the company as a leader in sustainable luxury mobility.
Bentley hosted a special lunch at the Heritage Garage in Crewe to commemorate this occasion for the W12 assembly and R&D teams. The celebration continued with a group photograph in the Pyms Lane Plaza, where assembly colleagues received a commemorative W12 engine piston.
Andreas Lehe, Bentley's Manufacturing Board Member, commented, "The W12 has significantly shaped Bentley's history. We should celebrate its retirement with those who have contributed to this powerful engine. The W12's launch transformed our company and will be remembered as a revolutionary milestone. We are proud to have designed, developed, and manufactured such an iconic engine in Britain for so long."
Replacing the legendary 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12, Bentley introduces a new Ultra High-Performance Hybrid powertrain. This advanced system, which combines a robust V8 engine with cutting-edge battery technology, promises the highest output ever in a Bentley, ushering in a new era of dynamic, responsive, and efficient supercars.
Bentley's R&D Board Member, Dr Matthias Rabe, added, "The W12 has driven our cars and company forward at an extraordinary pace and is one of our most significant innovations. Today, we celebrate the conclusion of its development journey, which our R&D and manufacturing teams should be immensely proud of, having continually advanced its power and performance while enhancing emission controls and refinement."
The W12's compact design, essentially two narrow-angle V6 engines sharing a common crankshaft, makes it 24% shorter than a conventional V12. This compactness is ideal for the Continental GT's sleek design, introduced in 2003 with 552 bhp and a peak torque that delivers exceptional performance at any speed.
The combination of 12-cylinder power, all-wheel drive, and a top speed nearing 200 mph, along with the Continental GT's flowing design, has made it a worldwide sensation. Over four generations, the model has dominated its segment for over two decades.
Hand-built in Crewe, each W12 engine undergoes a meticulous seven-hour assembly process involving 2,600 individual components. The finished engine not only passes the 'coin test' for smooth operation but also powers the Continental GT Speed from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, reaching speeds up to 208 mph while maintaining unrivalled refinement and reliability throughout its life.
