Bentley’s 57-year-old beast of a V8 known as the “6 ¾ Litre” will soon become little more than a memory of the past. After more than half a century powering some of the classiest and most exclusive automobiles anyone could buy, the current need for more efficient and modern engines has finally caught up with it. The latest engine bay to house this classic is the current Mulsanne, which was just updated for 2017. Because of this, we expect this engine to stick around for at least a few more years, but Bentley already has plans in the works for its replacement.
If you are worried that we are going to be getting a tiny V8 with a collection of tiny turbo chargers, or even worse a V6, you can put down your pitchforks. Bentley is killing the classic V8, but what they are replacing it, is arguably more exciting. They are building an all-new V12.
The current V8 is no slouch, though. With modern updates over the years such as fuel injection, turbocharging, a stiffened bottom end, cylinder deactivation, and cam phasing, it’s not like this engine is some ancient relic just sitting in the engine bay of the car equivalent of a cruise ship. It makes power, too- 530 horsepower isn’t anything to shake a stick at, but the real party piece is the astronomical 811 lb-ft of torque it makes at 1750 rpm. If they can manage a V8 that makes numbers like that, I can’t wait to see what their engineers are able to accomplish with four more, dramatically more efficient, cylinders under the hood. That said, if you want a Mulsanne with the classic 6 ¾, you’ve still got a few more years at least before you’ll be out of luck.
I think I’ll wait on the V12 myself.
Bentley Pictures Gallery
Written by: Justin Davis
