Bentley considering swansong V8 celebration model

British luxury brand Bentley could farewell the 4.0-litre V8 engine used across its line-up with a bespoke multi-million-dollar limited-run celebration model.

The car is shaping to be the third ‘coachbuilt’ special-edition developed by the brand’s Mulliner personalisation and bespoke division following on from the W12-powered 2020 Bacalar convertible and 2022 Batur coupe (both pictured here).

Soon to be presented for sign-off off by the Bentley board, the next Mulliner model would be announced in 2023 or 2024 and have a hand-built production run likely to take 18 months.

Along with the twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 engine used at the top end of the range, the 4.0-litre V8 is a Volkswagen Group engine introduced to the Bentley line-up since the German giant’s 1998 takeover of the British premium brand.

Both engines are both facing retirement in 2026 when the brand switches to plug-in hybrid and battery-electric drivetrains.

Bentley currently has two PHEV drivetrains in its line-up, both marrying electric motors with V6 combustion engines.

The first PHEV to land in Australia is the Flying Spur sedan in November, while the Bentayga hybrid SUV arrives in about 12 months.

By 2030 the PHEVs will be dispensed with and Bentley will become an entirely battery-electric brand.

Asked by carsales if the next coachbuilt model would celebrate the V8 engine, Bentley Mulliner boss Paul Dickinson responded: “Wouldn’t be a silly idea would it?”.

Paying tribute to the 4.0-litre V8 with a Mulliner limited-edition is a logical move as the Batur performs a similar function for the W12.

Bentley has confirmed the Batur is the last new model to launch with the W12 and it’s the most powerful version of the engine yet released, cranking up from 485kW to 554kW. That also makes it the most powerful Bentley ever.

Logically, the V8-tribute Mulliner will develop the power output of the 4.0-litre further as well, from the current peak 404kW offering.

Built in extremely limited runs, Mulliner coachbuilt models bring bespoke bodywork and exorbitant price tags.

Based on the Continental GTC convertible, only 12 examples of the Bacalat were built, each priced at 1.5 million pounds ($A2.6m).

Eighteen Baturs have been announced and sold ahead of delivery over the next 18 months. Based on the Continental GT coupe, it comes in at a cool 1.98 million pounds ($A3.46m).

Dickinson, in Australia for an international media drive event and Mulliner immersion, was less forthcoming about what model the next coachbuilt car would be based on.

Along with the Conti GT and GTC, the Bentayga and the Flying Spur also have the 4.0-litre V8 offered in their line-ups.

Questioned specifically about the prospects for Bentley’s most popular model – the Bentayga – to form the basis of the next Mulliner model, Dickinson was non-committal.

“The question is … do we continue with that [Continental] platform or do we go to one of our other platforms.

“That’s an open discussion at the moment and we include our customers in that.

“The next couple [of Mulliner coachbuilt cars] are in the process of getting ready to be approved by the board but aren’t there yet,” he explained.

Dickinson is also visiting Australia as part of a fact-finding mission to increase the popularity of Mulliner personalisation among Bentley customers in the Asia-Pacific.

Mulliner options can stretch from a dab of paint or stitching to completely personalised vehicles.

One-off cars are also within the company’s capabilities, although none have been built in the modern era.

“We are definitely looking to see if the right customer would like to do that sort of project,” said Dickinson.

“It’s definitely on peoples’ radar.”

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