The World's Longest-Serving V8 Just Turned 60
Time to blow out some candles - preferably with the exhaust pipes of a V8. Bentley’s legendary eight-cylinder engine - the longest-serving V8 ever - has just turned 60.
It first appeared in the Bentley S2, displacing 6.2 litres and developing 160bhp. Since then, it’s powered a total of 23 Bentley models, has grown to 6.75-litre and sprouted a couple of turbochargers.
It’s come a long way from its origins, now pumping out 530bhp and 810lb ft of torque in the Mulsanne Speed. Figures you might describe as ‘sufficient’.
The increase to the famous 6.75-litre displacement happened way back in 1971, while the switch to turbo power occurred in 1980 for the first Mulsanne. The addition of a single turbocharger marked the first time Bentley had dabbled with forced induction since the glory days of the Tim Birkin Blower Bentleys in the 1920s.
The engine is still built at the Bentley factory in Crewe, with each one signed off on a little plaque that sits in the engine bay.
It’s hard to know how much more life the V8 has left in it - with emissions regulations getting ever tighter, it may only be around for a few more years. It doesn’t help that the Mulsanne’s stablemates use a much more compact 4.0-litre V8 sourced from parent company VW Group, which revs higher and is actually a smidge more powerful.
But is the V8 powering the likes of the Continental and Flying Spur as classy as its elder? Hell no.
Many happy returns, Bentley V8.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
“If it aint broke dont fix it” I think that summarizes the Bentley V8 motor
Is there any part of the engine that is the same as the original one ?
I think the block still is the same. IIRC the displacement increase from 6.2l to 6¾l was only by increased stroke, the bore is still the same.
I’m trying to figure out how at 60 years old it is the longest ❓
Chevrolet has been building the Small Block since 1955, which makes it 64 years old. Last time I check “64 is older than 60”.
GM replaced the small block with the LS in 1997 but production went through 2003 so only around 50 years
My assumption is that, although GM still sells the small block as a crate engine, it hasn’t been available in a production car since the late 90s meaning it doesn’t count
You are full of wisdom.
If I was in the market for a Bentley I’d seriously consider a Brooklands or Mulsanne Speed simply because they have the proper Bentley V8. Even if the VAG 4.0 V8 is more efficient, it’s not a Bentley engine with the huge low end torque and low redline.