Supercar manufacturers were the last to introduce heavy fuelled powertrains. When all other technologies have been fine-tuned and polished, luxury brands began “trying” diesel engines step by step. Before making a decision to bring diesel engines for Cayenne and Panamera models into production, Porsche, for instance, made sure that the sound of such motors got utterly close to the sound of petrol motors and especially when running at idle speed. And right now it’s the turn for another luxury brand from the VAG group — Bentley.
These used to be just rumours but now it has been officially confirmed by the company’s representatives. “Diesel for Bentley is decided. It won’t be a V10. But the V10 is not dead within the VW Group; there will be a successor”, VW Group boss Martin Winterkorn confirmed in his interview to autocar.co.uk
Leaving out the V10 powertrain, they still have the V12 or V8 variants. Different magazines and experts make different suggestions in favour of each of them. The new tendencies in engine-building are very diverse. Martin Winterkorn did not announce any information regarding the future diesel-powered models. But it’s highly probable that the new engine will be found under the bonnet of the first Bentley SUV making it rather symbolic. Moreover, the EXP 9 F concept, which will serve as the base for the future crossover, will also be the first vehicle in the brand’s history to be equipped with a hybrid powertrain.
Power performance and other specifications of the diesel engine and hybrid powertrain have not been revealed yet. But if Bentley decides to start implementing such motors, one can be sure that the company’s engineers will take them to the extreme. The reputation of the brand is put on the line.
