Once a dominant force in the automotive world, the V8 engine is becoming increasingly rare. The impending discontinuation of the CT6-V will soon remove Cadillac’s cherished Blackwing from the lineup, while the clock is already ticking for the V8s produced by Toyota. Meanwhile, for Bentley’s iconic 6.75-liter V8, urgency is heightened, as it welcomed its last new iteration on Tuesday, June 2.
The final Bentley six-and-three-quarter V8 was meticulously crafted by a dedicated team of seven technicians in Crewe, each contributing to a total of 105 years of experience in manufacturing these engines. This pivotal engine will be housed in the last Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition, a special commemorative version limited to just 30 units, created by the company’s expert coachbuilder, Mulliner.
Initially developed in the 1950s when Bentley and Rolls-Royce were united under one roof, the L-series V8 first appeared in the 1959 Bentley S2, where it produced a modest 180 horsepower at 6.25 liters. An increase in stroke in 1968 transformed it into the 6.75-liter version, and further enhancements, including a Garrett turbocharger added in 1982, boosted power to around 300 horsepower for the Mulsanne Turbo, the brand’s first model to feature forced induction since the 1920s “Blower Bentleys.”
Although the 6.75’s association with Rolls-Royce ended in 2002 with the Corniche, its most remarkable period was still ahead. In 2010, Bentley significantly reengineered the 6.75, upgrading its crankshaft and introducing features such as cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing. The most significant change was the addition of a second turbocharger, allowing power to soar to 530 horsepower and 774 pound-feet of torque, a nearly tripled output compared to its debut. This impressive advancement came alongside a reduction in emissions by over 99 percent.
With continuity in bore spacing and block design throughout its iterations, the 6.75 is recognized as the longest-running V8 engine in history, surpassing even the Chevrolet small-block’s 49-year legacy with an impressive 61-year production span.
While Bentley’s new flagship sedan, the Flying Spur, will not feature a V8, the configuration will not entirely disappear from the British manufacturer’s lineup. The four-liter, twin-turbo engines will still be offered in the Continental GT and Bentayga, though these Audi-sourced engines lack the evocative charm that characterized the traditional six-and-three-quarter V8.
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