This Is Your Last Chance to Buy a Bentley With a W-12

In a move intended to ensure it remains a “leader in sustainable mobility,” British luxury marque Bentley has announced an official end to its long-in-the-tooth W-12 engine, which has been on the road for two decades. The automaker says its order books are almost full and remaining W-12 slots are limited, and production will cease in April of 2024 no matter what, so you better act fast if you’re interested.

We’ve known this day was coming since the 2024 Bentley Flying Spur looked as though it was the swan song of the W-12. Now we have a date. Of course, you’ll still be able to get one second-hand, as Bentley claims it will have built more than 105,000 units of its W-12 by the time it goes away; we’re sure a few will probably still be good for some years to come.

Since its conception in 2002 and introduction in 2003, the Bentley has improved the W-12’s power by 37 percent, torque by 54 percent, and emissions have been reduced by 25 percent. The most powerful version yet was recently revealed in the limited-production (and sold-out) Batur, making 740 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque. One benefit of a W-12 configuration, according to Bentley, is that its around 24 percent shorter than an equivalent V-12 would be for improved packaging. Its clever packaging wasn’t enough to stave off death as Bentley works towards its carbon-neutral goals.

The good news is that Bentley will be retaining all 30 of the dedicated W-12 staffers, who will be reassigned to other jobs once production ceases at the factory in Crewe. The W-12 is still available in the 2024 Bentley Bentayga, Flying Spur and Flying Spur Mulliner, and the Continental GT Speed and GT Mulliner, so you still have choice for a limited time.

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