- Bentley is gearing up to introduce “lower powered derivatives” of the new Continental GT.
- The current model has a plug-in hybrid powertrain producing 771 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque.
- Revenues and operating profits took a big hit in 2024, and sales were down 21.5 percent.
2024 was a year of change at Bentley as the company said farewell to its iconic W12 engine, which debuted in the first-generation Continental GT. That model helped to relaunch the luxury brand and it also entered its fourth-generation last year.
As part of the redesign, Bentley replaced the W12 with a new plug-in hybrid powertrain that consist of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, an electric motor, and a 25.9 kWh battery pack. This gives the Speed and Mulliner variants a combined output of 771 hp (575 kW / 782 PS) and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque.
More: New Bentley Continental GT Speed Goes PHEV And Packs 771 HP
Those are impressive numbers, but pricing starts at $306,250 for the Speed and climbs to $330,950 for the Mulliner. That’s pretty expensive, but Bentley suggested more affordable variants are on the horizon.
While the company was tight-lipped on specifics, they confirmed “lower powered derivatives” of the Flying Spur and Continental GT will arrive in 2025. Little is known about them at this point, but it sounds like they’ll use a detuned version of the plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Speaking of future models, Bentley has begun transforming the oldest building at their Pyms Lane factory into a future electric vehicle assembly line. The EV is slated to be launched in 2027 and the company has previously described it as the “world’s first true Luxury Urban SUV.”
The crossover is part of the company’s Beyond100+ plan, which calls for the automaker to go electric-only by 2035. That date has already been pushed back once, but we can expect a “new hybrid or electric model every year for the next decade.”
Bentley EV teaser
While Bentley is looking to the future, 2024 wasn’t pretty as revenues fell 10% to €2.6 ($2.8 / £2.2) billion. Their operating profit also plummeted 37% to €373 ($406 / £313) million.
Despite the disappointing result, Bentley said 70 percent of customers are choosing a Mulliner bespoke option. Thanks to demand for personalization, the company is now earning the highest ever revenue per car. However, that’s not much help when global sales fall 21.5% to 10,600 units.
Bentley CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser said, “Last year marked a milestone year in our transformation as we prepare for our electric future. We are investing at levels never seen before at Bentley, as we not only revolutionize our product cycle plan, but also transform an 85-year-old site for a new age of electrification. These are the critical foundations that will build our long-term sustainability and success.” Walliser went on to say 2025 looks challenging due to “difficult global market conditions and maintained volatile political and economic environments.”
