The W12 engine is retiring after two decades in production.
British luxury carmaker Bentley will hold the swan song for its W12 engine at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed next week, from July 13 to 16. The last Bentley 6.0-liter twin-turbo 12-cylinder mill will be built in April 2024, marking the end of its 21-year production run that first debuted with the Continental GT in 2003.
To celebrate the famous engine, a parade of 12 cars will be staged at Goodwood – a fitting celebration before the carmaker transitions to producing fully electric vehicles by 2030 as part of its Beyond 100 plan. The Batur and the Speed Six Continuation Series are headlining Bentley's festivities at Goodwood.
The Bentley Batur, which delivers 740 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, has the most potent W12 engine the automaker has ever produced. Its appearance at Goodwood will serve as its UK debut, and it will be one of the six Bentley vehicles that will take on the Goodwood Hillclimb.
Only 18 Bentley Batur units will be made, and the prototype version, Car Zero-Zero, finished in Marina Teal paint, will tackle the hill.
The 641-hp Bentley Continental GT Le Mans Collection, limited to 48 examples, will join the Batur on the hill climb. The Continental GTC Speed, considered Bentley's fastest convertible, is also set to participate.
Other Bentley cars joining the Goodwood Hillclimb are the Flying Spur Speed Edition 12, Continental GT Pikes Peak, and the 4½ Litre Supercharged, more commonly known as the Bentley Blower.
Bentley's Mulliner division will also be premiering its latest project, the Speed Six Continuation Series – a vehicle that gives a nod to the classic Le Mans winner back in 1930. The British automaker will build 12 bespoke cars, all already spoken for, at Mulliner's facility on Crewe. Bentley said each of the 12 vehicles would feature a “faithful continuation” of the race-winning Speed Six.
The Bentley Flying Spur will also be on display, integrated with various bespoke features from Mulliner's “Personal Commissioning Guide.”
Keyword: Bentley Celebrates W12 Engine In Style At Goodwood Festival Of Speed