From the W12 Era to the V8 Ultra-Performance Hybrid: How Bentley Reinvented Its Flagship Powertrain

Few engines in modern automotive history have shaped a brand the way Bentley's twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 shaped Crewe. Built by hand for more than two decades, it powered four generations of Continental GT, every Flying Spur of its era, and the original Bentayga. Over 100,000 examples were assembled, each one requiring around seven hours of careful work and 2,600 separate components. For a long time, it defined what a modern Bentley sounded, felt, and accelerated like.

That chapter closed in July 2024, when the final W12 was hand-built in Crewe. In its place, Bentley introduced something that sits at the heart of its current lineup: the Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 paired with a powerful electric motor. It is the cleanest and most powerful drivetrain the brand has ever offered, and it now powers the Continental GT Speed, the Flying Spur Speed, and the Mulliner models. For drivers in Quebec curious about what changed and why, here is a clear walkthrough.

Why the W12 Reached the End of the Road

The W12 was always an engineering statement. Two narrow-angle V6 engines shared a single crankshaft, producing a 12-cylinder unit that was about a quarter shorter than a conventional V12. That compactness is exactly what allowed Bentley to build the long, low silhouette of the original 2003 Continental GT, the car that effectively created the modern grand-tourer segment.

After 20 years, however, two realities pushed Bentley toward a new architecture. The first was emissions: even the most refined large-displacement engine could not match what a hybrid V8 can deliver on the same drive cycle. The second was performance. Bentley engineers concluded that pairing a smaller, more responsive V8 with instant electric torque would beat the W12 on every measurable axis, including efficiency. The Ultra Performance Hybrid was the answer.

What "Ultra Performance Hybrid" Actually Means

The new system is built around a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 working alongside a compact electric motor neatly integrated within the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Together they make the new Flying Spur Speed and Continental GT Speed the most powerful road-going Bentleys ever built. Output is higher than the outgoing W12 Speed, torque is higher, and the V8's cross-plane character gives the exhaust a deeper, more athletic voice than the smoother W12 ever produced.

The hybrid side of the equation matters just as much. A 25.9 kWh battery feeds the electric motor, delivering useful pure-EV running for short trips, quiet morning departures, and city driving. In Sport mode, the combustion engine and electric motor work together to provide a continuous wave of acceleration with no turbo lag, because the e-motor fills in the bottom end of the rev range instantly.

Key Takeaways at a Glance

More Than Just a Spec Sheet — A Shift in How a Bentley Feels

The Ultra Performance Hybrid changes the daily experience of owning a Bentley, not only the brochure. You can leave a Montreal driveway in silent electric mode, glide through residential streets, and only bring the V8 online when you reach an open highway. The combustion engine can switch off entirely while you drive on electricity, because the e-motor handles low-speed duties on its own.

Bentley also rethought the V8 itself. Fuel injection pressure has been raised, twin single-scroll turbos replace the older twin-scroll setup, and there is no traditional vacuum system. The result is cleaner combustion, hotter-running turbos, and lower emissions, all without sacrificing the muscular sound and immediacy that buyers expect from a flagship Bentley.

Where the Ultra Performance Hybrid Lives in the Lineup Today

This powertrain is now standard equipment in the highest-performance versions of Bentley's three core grand tourers:

• Continental GT Speed — the most powerful two-door Bentley ever made
• Continental GT Convertible (GTC) Speed — the same V8 hybrid in an open-top body
• Flying Spur Speed and Flying Spur Mulliner — the most powerful Bentley sedan ever

Alongside the Ultra Performance Hybrid, Bentley also offers a second V8 plug-in hybrid called the High Performance Hybrid, which powers the core Continental GT, GTC, Flying Spur, and the Azure wellness-focused variants. The two hybrid powertrains form the backbone of the current Continental and Flying Spur range. Bentayga remains powered by its own V8 lineup, with a V6 hybrid option for buyers who want maximum efficiency.

What This Means for Quebec Drivers

For owners in Montreal and across Quebec, the Ultra Performance Hybrid is a strong fit for how people actually use these cars here. Cold-morning starts are easier on the engine because electric power moves the car off the line. Short drives across the island can often be done on electricity alone. And when you point a Continental GT Speed or Flying Spur Speed toward the Laurentians or the Eastern Townships, the V8 returns the acceleration and long-distance composure that defines a Bentley grand tourer.

The new powertrain is also a sign of where Bentley is headed. Under the Beyond100+ strategy, the brand has committed to producing only fully electric cars eventually, with plug-in hybrids carrying the lineup through the transition. The Ultra Performance Hybrid is the bridge between Bentley's combustion past and its electric future, and it is already in dealerships today.

Visit Bentley Montreal to Learn More

If you would like to see how the new V8 hybrid drives compared to the W12-era Bentley you may already know, our team at Bentley Montreal would be glad to walk you through it. Drop by our showroom right here in Montreal to explore the current Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Bentayga lineup, and to feel the Ultra Performance Hybrid for yourself.