The Legacy of the Bentley 6.75-Liter V8 Engine

The Bentley 6.8-liter (or 6.75-liter as officially known) L-Series V-8 has concluded its impressive 61-year production run, even outlasting the original Chevrolet small-block V-8. Although the Bentley V8 saw considerable evolution—growing in displacement and significantly improving in output—the fundamental architecture endured throughout the decades. Approximately 36,000 of these remarkable engines were crafted at the British automaker’s Crewe, England plant, with each engine requiring around 15 hours of meticulous hand-assembly from matched and balanced component sets.

A Shared Heritage

Moreover, not all of these engines were confined to Bentley motorcars. Historically, both Bentley and Rolls-Royce functioned under joint ownership until 1998, sharing the 6.75 engine between their vehicles for decades. Following Rolls-Royce’s acquisition by BMW, the use of the venerable V-8 ceased, and Bentley became the exclusive steward of this iconic engine. As Bentley was absorbed into Volkswagen AG, it adopted various powertrains from the Volkswagen Group. Consequently, the retirement of the 6.75 engine marks the end of a significant link between the storied Rolls-Royce and Bentley brands.

The Final Chapter for the 6.75

The engine’s last notable application was in the luxurious Mulsanne, which concluded its run with a special limited Mulsanne 6.75 Edition by Mulliner—honoring the engine that powered it. In recent years, the Mulsanne evolved to become an epitome of luxury and comfort, showcasing a robust sedan that embodies power and sophistication. At one point, the 6.75 engine in the Bentley Brooklands held the title of the most torque-rich automotive engine globally, an impressive feat for a powerplant that debuted in 1959.

Transition to Modern Powertrains

Looking ahead, Bentley will transition to engines developed by the Volkswagen Group, including advanced options like the W-12 and the 4.0-liter V-8, as well as innovative gasoline-electric hybrid V-6 powertrains. These modern engines are technically sophisticated and adept at supporting Bentley’s luxurious and high-performance vehicles. Nevertheless, the automotive community will surely miss the effortless power delivery and remarkable torque of the pushrod V-8—widely regarded as one of the world’s finest engines.