Bentley has announced it’s committed to continue to build its W12 engine for the foreseeable future, and that it hopes it will be the last manufacturer in the world to produce these 12-cylinder engines.

The future of Bentley’s W12 engines

A W12 engine is said to be a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. Research shows that the original W12 configuration was used in some early aircraft engines, notably including the Napier Lion, while the more recent configuration is used in the Volkswagen Group W12.

According to a source within the company, Bentley plans on being the “last manufacturer of 12-cylinder engines in the world.” The company is also said to switch its current 6.0-litre twin turbocharged W12 engine to direct injection – to ensure that it remains relevant and viable into the future.

The company’s forthcoming SUV will also be offered with a W-12, and with this new model, production is expected to increase from 5000 units to roughly 9000 units annually.