[Scorcher]

"Bentley, famous for making highly expensive petrol-guzzling cars, is to bring out a vehicle with a diesel engine"

It would be the first time in the company's illustrious 92-year history that any of its cars had been powered by diesel. It had previously said that wealthy Bentley owners were "not interested" in economic diesel engines, but Ferdinand Piech, the chairman of the VW group which owns the brand, said: "You will see diesels at Bentley."

At the recent Qatar Motor Show, one of the most important showcases for top-of-the-range manufacturers in the Middle East, Mr Piech confirmed to a trade magazine that the company was working on a secret project to give at least some of its range diesel power.

Bentley cars consume a notoriously large amount of petrol. The miles-per-gallon figure for the current models – from the £126,000 Continental to the Mulsanne at £229,000 – average just 17.

But Bentley is aware that the addition of a diesel engine option could boost sales in Europe as well as improve economy and reduce emissions.

The firm's sales and marketing chief Alasdair Stewart has confirmed that Bentley is investigating diesel power, even though in its two fastest-growing markets in China and America buyers still favour petrol-driven cars.
Diesel engines can be far more powerful, as well as more fuel efficient. Diesel cars have won the last few Le Mans 24 hour endurance races.
Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar all now sell a significant number of diesel-powered cars in spite of the fact the fuel is more expensive in the UK and many new petrol-drive cars are now offering similar economy.

Source: Bentley to make diesel car - Telegraph

[speedmiester]

Another one bites the dust.

Its a good move, todays modern diesel engine are very efficient, powerful and offer the same power characteristics of petrol engines with added fuel economy.

Don't care much about Bentleys though but I pray that at least Rolls Royce don't go the diesel way.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by Scorcher

"Bentley, famous for making highly expensive petrol-guzzling cars, is to bring out a vehicle with a diesel engine"
Source: Bentley to make diesel car - Telegraph

Worlds powerful TRUCKS actually becoming TRUCKS

When someone is buying these cars at such exorbitant to the power of "n" rates, Why would he need a Diesel

All the Best Bentley.

[Cyrus43]

Another one Bites the Dust. :( All that is left is the Italians supercars and Rolls Royce then...

[sarthakgupta]

Bentley will not only offer hybrids in the future; it will also offer diesels. Outgoing Bentley and Bugatti CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer confirmed to us that diesel engines are not only an option for the upcoming SUV—a full-size off-roader based on the VW Group’s modular-longitudinal platform, and not the EXP 9 F concept that was received so poorly in Geneva—but for the next generation of sedans as well. Dürheimer says that prototype vehicles already are up and running.

While Dürheimer wouldn’t reveal any details, we believe that Bentley will make use of the next generation of Audi’s V-8 TDI, which will make more than 400 hp and be launched in the updated A8 next year. Fortunately for Bentley, Audi has decided not to abandon V-8–diesel power as BMW and Mercedes-Benz have done. The VW Group’s ubiquitous 3.0-liter V-6 TDI probably would be too much of a downward reach for the British luxury brand. Audi’s awesome V-12 TDI is not currently being considered for Bentley models. That engine, sold in very low numbers in the Q7 V-12 TDI, will not be brought up to future emissions standards and has just been taken off the market in Europe—which is a shame.


.....future Bentley models will be available with a plug-in hybrid option, as will the SUV. While the more-efficient powertrains are coming, the traditional 6¾-liter V-8 is meeting the end of the road for a second time.....

Very recently Rolls Royce also considered adding diesel option to their line-up but was turned down by their customers. Link:http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/in...el-rolls-royce.

However, it seems that Bentley is going to find favour among the uber rich of India. Diesel + Bentley : What more you can ask for?

Source:Bentley Will Add Diesels to Its Lineup; 6.8-liter V8 to Die

[ganeshtvpm]

To please Indian customer or what? What is wrong with their existing petrol engines? Is Bentley learning a lesson from Honda

[AdiSinghV12]

What's wrong with Diesel Engines? Why can't exotics be made in diesel? AND 6.8L V8 Diesel? Imagine a Diesel Continental GT with 1000nm of torque or more The modern day diesel engines sounds sweet as well (Refer the V8 Cayenne Diesel). Would be perfect for Indian buyers! They won't have to go hunting for high octane petrol and it'd certainly be more practical. (I truly understand that petrol prices won't matter at all for someone who spends 2cr+ on a car but still!)

[mempheS.D]

The world must be crazy.

First it was the Panamera and now this!

No matter what - a diesel mill will surely be marred and overshadowed by its gasoline counterpart unless of course a revolution takes place. Chances of which are not bleak any more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGT7eqCNZVM

[PlatzdaTurbo]

'Secret project' eh ? Yea right..nice try!. Go fool someone else.
Lets see what Audi have in their inventory - 3.0V6, 4.2 V8 & 6.0 V12 diesels.
Even if we assume the 3 litre unit would be insufficient to haul huge and heavy cars like the Bentleys , the BiTDis that have been launched in the Audi stable would be more than enough. Dont want such puny displacement ? (relativity). Thats where the 4.2 V8 and 6.0 V12 come in. The VW group also has a V10 diesel from the touareg whose locomotive like torque helped it haul nothing short of a Boeing 747. IIRC the v10 from the touareg is torquier than the v12 from the Q7.
Coming to the V12, oh well it made a 2.5 tonne SUV hit the 100 mark in 5.5 seconds.
Need i say anything more ? Its clear where the Bentley diesels will be sourced from.
Good luck to them.