Bentley stops production on V8 Continental and Flying Spur models

This is part of the marque’s Beyond100 strategy, which aims to have hybrid powertrains across all model lines in 2024.

Bentley will retire its current-gen 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 from the Continental GT, Continental GTC and Flying Spur model lines in the UK, Europe and the Middle East as it looks towards a hybrid future. The engine will stay on in the Bentayga family but will be joined by a hybrid version soon with a hybrid Flying Spur set to release.

The V8 was originally introduced in a Bentley car way back in 1959 in the S2. The L-Series V8 engine produced 180bhp and today’s V8 boasts three times the power (542bhp) with only two-thirds of the capacity. Maximum torque of 770Nm at 2,000rpm is possible while lower emissions and better efficiency have been achieved.

The 4.0 litre V8 introduced in 2012 has been used in over 53,000 Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur, all produced by hand at Bentley’s Dream Factory in Crewe.

The final V8 models are set to be completed soon and final deliveries will take place in June. Other examples will remain available through separate retailers although other regions will follow suit soon by also stopping production.

Bentley is set to go one step further than hybridisation in the future with its first EV set for 2026 while the whole brand will be electric by 2030.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Bentley