Well, it's a sad day for petrolheads. Bentley's mighty W12 engine has finally reached the end of the road. The last Bentley W12 just rolled off the production line in Crewe, and I've got to say, it feels like we're losing an old friend.

Since before I was born, the W12 has been the heart and soul of Bentley's most iconic cars, from the Continental GT to the Flying Spur. One of my most cherished memories is nestled in the Karakorum mountain range, and involves a Continental and a roof box — there's just no other car that compares.

And now, just like that, it's gone.

This 6.0-liter twin-turbo monster was a masterpiece of engineering. In its final form, tucked away in the limited-edition Batur, it was churning out a whopping 740 horsepower. That's enough to make your grandma's china rattle from three streets away.

A partially assembled Bentley W12 engine on the production line, showing its complex internal structure and multiple cylinder banks. — The Last of Its Kind: Bentley's Iconic W12 Engine Nears Completion

But you know what?

Now that the last Bentley W12 engine has been made, I can confidently say that it was about more than sheer, raw power. It was as much a work of art as a Van Gogh painting, or a Tchaikovsky symphony. It was a symbol of craftsmanship, of attention to detail. Each one took about seven hours to build, with 2,600 individual parts coming together to create automotive perfection. It's like high-horology watchmaking, only on a much grander scale and with a lot more noise.

As we say goodbye to Bentley's last W12 engine, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate what it's achieved.

This engine has powered Bentley to numerous records over the years. Remember when Juha Kankkunen set the World Ice Speed Record in a Continental GT? Or when Rhys Millen stormed up Pikes Peak in a W12 Bentayga?

Those are the kind of memories that make you realize just how special this engine was.

Alt text: A blue Bentley Continental GT driving on a road with motion blur, surrounded by houses and greenery. — The Graceful Power: An early 2010's Bentley Continental GT Showcases the W12's Legacy

Now, everyone is asking why Crewe has made their last Bentley W12, if it's such a great engine. Fair question, and the answer has to do with Bentley's Beyond100 plan.

Rubbish, if you ask me, but the higher-ups have deemed it so. You see, the Bentley W12 engine, is literally two V-6's fused together. Meaning, it makes twice as many emissions as a V-6.

They're moving towards sustainable luxury mobility, which means saying goodbye to the gas-guzzling giants of yesteryear. It's progress, I suppose, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

To soften the blow, Bentley is releasing a limited run of 120 'Speed Edition 12' models for each of its W12-powered cars. The last Bentley W12 engine has gone into one of these, and it’s finally over. It's a nice gesture, but it's a bit like putting a plaster on a broken heart, isn't it?

As someone who currently has one of these Grand Tourers, it's quite the feeling, let me tell you.

Make no mistake, I have no misgivings about my trusty old Continental — it's not a sports car, as some people would have you believe.

Elegance Personified: The Bentley Flying Spur Speed Edition 12, A Tribute to the W12 Era. Image Credit: Bentley Motors Dubai

But then again, it's not quite simply a luxury land yacht either. The instant whiplash-giving kickback that you get when you let those twelve cylinders scream; it's something else altogether. And it's a heavy one as well: mine weighs in at about 5,100 lbs. (still lighter than the new 2025 M5 though, mind you).

However, a car this chunky should not accelerate the way it does, nor should it handle as effortlessly as it does.

Now, I've always been the first to crib about the Conti, having to drop 5,000 quid in parts and labor for every minor engine fault. The vacuum lines are simply put, a hazard to deal with. The aftermarket value has tanked harder than the Lehman Brother's share price. And the damn thing is quite prone to rust.

But yet, with the last Bentley W12 being produced, I find myself missing it.

A bright green Bentley race car crests a hill at Bathurst circuit as a kangaroo jumps alongside, both airborne against a clear blue sky. — Unexpected Rivals: Bentley Continental GT3 at Bathurst. Kangaroo for Scale. And no, it's not edited. Image Credit: GoodFon.

And that's the connection that Bentley is risking here, so the new V-8 replacement that they're cooking up, it has some mighty massive boots to fill, let me tell you.

But let's not get too down in the dumps. Bentley's last W12 engine might be bowing out, but it's making way for a new generation of powertrains. The upcoming Ultra High-Performance Hybrid promises even more power, with 782 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque. It's progress, undoubtedly, but it's hard not to feel a twinge of sadness at what we're leaving behind.

As we bid farewell to Bentley's last W12 engine, let's raise a glass to two decades of automotive excellence. From its debut in the Continental GT to its swansong in the Batur, the W12 has been a constant companion on our automotive journey. It's powered us through adventures, been the soundtrack to unforgettable road trips, and always been there when we needed a reminder of what true automotive excellence feels like.

So here's to you, the last Bentley W12.

You've been a good friend, a loyal servant, and a bloody brilliant engine. As the last one rolls off the production line, we can't help but feel a bit emotional. The last Bentley W12 engine is the end of an era, but what an era it's been.

Cheers, old chap. You'll be missed.