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Volkswagen chairman Martin Winterkorn has dropped the biggest hint yet that Bentley is considering a diesel engine option for some models.

In an interview with Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport this week, Winterkorn answered questions about the state of Volkswagen’s upper luxury marques, saying: “With Bentley we will react to the changing market conditions. I could well imagine a six-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel in a Bentley.”

Winterkorn’s comments oppose those of Bentley boss, F...Read the full article

Well, that was a quicker U turn than Porsche's  "We won't do a diesel"!

In reality, fixed top Bentley's (and other luxury cars) are about effortless power, not immediate delivery and response.  A good diesel lump is ideal, and far better than a petrol engine in this situation.  Get the noise right and they may even work in the drop top versions as well.

The only reason manufacturers still engineer these sort of cars for petrol use is the US market and even they are starting to look at their power sources a lot more carefully.

I won't get out of bed for anything less than the V12 TDi, with the right noise and of course no vibrations...

A diesel !!!! What next, an estate? 4X4? Small city car? Don't do it.

I cannot believe they are even considering it, it will devalue the prestige of the brand.  If you cannot afford to run a petrol Bentley then you are too much of a peasant to own one.  Imagine a Rolls-Royce diesel, there would be an uproar.  If you cannot afford the fuel then buy an Audi A8 TDI.  Oh the problems you get when the commoners take over the plutocrats.

As for the performance, is 0-60 in 4.5 secs and a max speed of 200 mph not enough for a 2.5 ton car?  The petrol W12 has bags of torque too and as for talk of a large diesel, in reality it offers little in extra economy anyway and rattles when cold.  Not exactly cool when starting the car in front of the masses.  Big diesels are quiet from the inside of the car, but tractor like from the outside.  The BMW 6 cylinder diesel is a good example of this.

Autocar:

The diesel referred to by Winterkorn is a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 common-rail unit presently undergoing development by Audi. Rumoured to deliver over 300bhp and over 440lb ft of torque, it should be unveiled in the third-generation A8 at next year’s Frankfurt motor show.

Yum - can't wait for this engine in my next A8... As for Bentley, I really don't think they should. Having tried a Conti Flying Spur this PM, the W12 is almost silent at idle, even with the bonnet open. And so smooth you can barely feel anything, even with your fingers on the cam cover.

I really do not understand this nonsense about diesel devaluing the brand. Just because a buyer has £150k to spend on a car it doesn't mean he's prepared to stick two fingers up at the environmental concerns, and put up with gas guzzling mpg. Most Bentley buyers became Bentley buyers because they knew how to make money, and whilst a few of them have more money than sense, common sense will prevail. A diesel will greatly reduce running costs, satisfy the buyers (and his shareholders) sense of concern for the environment, and increase range. Having the diesel badge on the back doesn't mark him out as a cheapskate, but as a discerning buyer who can afford to run a Bentley, but who doesn't have his head in the sand. A diesel Bentley or Royce makes perfect sense to me. I might be more tempted by a V12 than a straight 6 though.

noluddite:

I really do not understand this nonsense about diesel devaluing the brand. Just because a buyer has £150k to spend on a car it doesn't mean he's prepared to stick two fingers up at the environmental concerns, and put up with gas guzzling mpg. Most Bentley buyers became Bentley buyers because they knew how to make money, and whilst a few of them have more money than sense, common sense will prevail. A diesel will greatly reduce running costs, satisfy the buyers (and his shareholders) sense of concern for the environment, and increase range. Having the diesel badge on the back doesn't mark him out as a cheapskate, but as a discerning buyer who can afford to run a Bentley, but who doesn't have his head in the sand. A diesel Bentley or Royce makes perfect sense to me. I might be more tempted by a V12 than a straight 6 though.

 

I personally know 5 new Bentley owners.  2 have Conti GT's, 1 a Flying Spur and 2 the Arnage R.  I have asked them what they think and they all said they wouldn't buy the diesel and if Bentley did offer a diesel they would be less inclined to buy Bentleys in the future.

Bentleys have always been a show of wealth and prestige, whereas diesel cars have always been associated with the poor.  In Bentley's 2 biggest markets, USA and UK, diesels in top level luxury brands is considered a no no.  The only people who think this would be ok are not Bentley customers in the first place and drive ordinary cars.

:-(

The brands sell their soul to the devil!

Porsche, Bentley... then Lamborghini.

Ferrari, when???

 

Ridiculous.

 .

 

 

Will provide a use for the glove-box - Bentley-branded rubber, of course

david RS:

david RS wrote the following post at Nov 23, 2008 5:48 PM:

:-(

The brands sell their soul to the devil!

Porsche, Bentley... then Lamborghini.

Ferrari, when???

 

Ridiculous.

 .

 

Fortunately, Ferrari's top brass have repeatedly said that they would NEVER ever produce a diesel or a 4 door! The world is safe then. On the other hand, I cannot help myself but pitty Bentley if they go down the derv route.