The Bentley V8 engine reaches the end of production
The Bentley 6¾-litre V8 engine has been in production for more than 60 years and on 1 June 2020, the last of its kind were assembled.
The Bentley 6¾-litre V8 engine has been in production for more than 60 years and on 1 June 2020, the last of its kind were assembled. The team of seven people who in combination has 105 years of Bentley engine building experienced, assembled the last iconic V8 which retained the same configuration and bore spacing as the first version which made its debut in 1959. This last L-Series engine will be powering the 30th and last specially commissioned Mulsanne 6.75 Edition by Mulliner.
The specific Mulsanne which also serves as the close of the bespoke series model celebrates the end of the 6¾-litre V8 engine production with the addition of V8-inspired details such as badging, blueprint graphics and even ventilation “organ stops” featuring a miniature version of the oil cap.
“Our venerable 6¾-litre V8 has powered the flagship Bentley for more than six decades, and so has earned its retirement. I am extremely proud of the generations of skilled craftspeople that have meticulously assembled every one of these engines by hand over the years. That this engine stood the test of time for so long is testament to the ingenious engineers who kept making the engine even more powerful, refined and reliable. Now, we look forward to the future of Bentley, powered by our exceptional W12, sporting 4.0-litre V8 and of course our efficient V6 Hybrid – the start of our journey to electrification,” Peter Bosch, Member of the Board for Manufacturing, Bentley.
The engine which made its first appearance in the 1959 Bentley S2, developing around 134 kW, was designed by a team of Bentley engineers to replace the straight-six engine that preceded it. After years of continual design improvement through the addition of turbocharging (first single, then twin), electronic control systems, fuel injection and variable valve timing, the L-Series motor fitted to the Mulsanne Speed now produce 395 kW and 1 100 N.m of torque.
Over the last 60 years, Bentley’s Crewe headquarters has seen 36 000 L-Series engines built by hand. With emphasis placed on the smooth running of the powerful motor, each component is individually chosen for the assembly and results in 15 hours of building time. After thorough testing, the engine receives a plate affixed to the front of the engine denoting the signature and signifying the sign off by one of Bentley’s engine specialists.
Replacing the Mulsanne as Bentley’s flagship model is the all-new Flying Spur which is set to see the introduction of a hybrid powertrain by 2023. This illustrates Bentley’s commitment to hybrid technology and change after the introduction of the Bentayga Hybrid SUV. While this strategy and the end of the 6¾-litre V8 development and production run, signals the end of a rich and rewarding era for the British manufacturer, the L-Series will live on for decades to come in the beloved cars of Bentley’s customers.
