Currently reading: Bentley ‘we won’t do a diesel’
No oil-burner for VW's premium brand

Bentley has said it is unlikely to produce diesel models, even though key competitors such as Porsche are bringing them to market.According to a senior company source, Bentley has been conducting customer clinics to ask buyers what they think of diesel models - and most have been opposed to the idea. He added that the company is also opposed to the idea for business reasons: “a lot of our cars are sold in the US and Asia and these are not diesel markets. We cannot make it stand up just developing a diesel model for Europe.” Instead Bentley is forging ahead with plans to have its entire range capable of running on called second-generation biofuels made from waste material, rather than food stocks, by 2012. The company is currently developing an all-new engine which will power the next generation Arnage and Continental models.

Chas Hallett

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aclordy 27 August 2008

Re: Bentley ‘we won’t do a diesel’

When you take the hidious depreciation of a Bentley Azure or Continental into account the extra cost of 10mpg doesn't even register. People who buy Bentley or any other Luxury car do so for the luxury motoring experience and the prestige associated with owning a Bentley, no Millionaire buys a modern bentley as an investment. I don't think that putting Diesels in Bentleys is appropriate at all, if I had that kind of money I'd want a proper petrol fuelled Bentley not a glorified truck engine.

If you look at the major markets for Bentley (the middle east and america), and even with current fuel price rises a bentley would be cheap to run.

An old friend owns a Dodge 1500 Laramie with the 8.2Ltr V10, it costs him less to insure, maintain and run in Canada that it does for me with a 1.6 civic in the UK! Diesel Bentleys would only make sense in places like switzerland and the UK, where fuel is outragiously expensive.

End of Rant

Paul J 27 August 2008

Re: Bentley ‘we won’t do a diesel’

Maj1c wrote:
I am sad to say i think it only a matter of time before we see a 911 with a diesel engine especially if we see a R8 TDI.

Sadly you're probably right Maj1c. It only seems like a few months ago when I read a senior Porsche spokesman re-stating that they would never get into the diesel market. The new range of petrol engines will soon find its way over the whole range of cars according to my local dealer, and they produce more power whilst using less fuel, so why spread your R and D budget even more thinly by introducing diesel power into the equasion?

More and more Porsche is becoming two companies under one umbrella, and should be split into two separately marketed ranges. Maybe it's my problem but I don't feel entirely comfortable at the dealers when there are 2 tonnne mock off-roaders and (soon) saloons and diesels around. By the way, is the Panamera really going to be another oversize Porsche with the generic Porsche sports car front end on?

Quattro369 26 August 2008

Re: Bentley ‘we won’t do a diesel’

Chris E:

I seem to have upset you. This was not my intention as I was merely giving my opinion based on various factors, including reliable sources. Check out Glasses or Blacks CURRENT price guides - or indeed the back of any good car magazine - and see if you can find a large petrol engine that holds its value better than the equivalent diesel model. You wont. Surely their opinion is the most reliable?

On that point, why are you comparing the 330i with the 335d? Surely you are aware that it is not BHP which makes a Diesel engine comparable with a Petrol one? Both on price and Torque levels the 335d is in another league to the 330i. I think a farer comparison would be the 330i/330d or 335i/335d.

I agree the Diesel emits more of certain other pollutants but this is irrelevant to most buyers and indeed residual values, as the goverment only tax based on CO2 output.

On the driveabilty aspect I am not sure if you have driven a modern Diesel engine? The low down torque on offer is a world away from a high revving petrol. In stop/start town driving comes into it own. A high revving petrol DCG equipped car is not really designed for this sort of driving. However, if you spend most of yours hours behind the wheel driving around country roads flat-out i can see your point but dont forget that many people (myself included) dont like any kind of Auto-Box, especially when driving for pleasure. Also, DCG/DSG etc are not even available in many car ranges. Thirdly, this kind of transmission generally adds around £1400 to the price - a sum you will never get back come resale time, which will hurt Resdiual Values even further.

I dont doubt that Diesels popularity is currently waning slightly on the continent, but that has alot to do with current fuel tax policies - which may not last. Also,lets not forget that on the continent Diesel cars account for over 50% of all new cars whilst in the UK its just over 40%. Many company car buyers dont even have the choice of having a petrol engined car and this is likely to be the case for some time with current CO2 based taxes.