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Bentley will stop producing its W12 engine from next year but in the meantime, here is the ‘Speed Edition 12’ series of limited-edition models which celebrates this 12-cylinder masterpiece. The W12 has been an integral part of Bentley’s DNA ever since the Continental GT broke cover in 2003 while subsequent iterations of this powertrain have seen a drastic cut in emissions along with more power and torque (650bhp and 900Nm). With Bentley marching forward with its electrification plans, the Speed Edition 12 series is a last hurrah of sorts for this engine.
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Offered on all the Bentley Speed models including the Bentayga, Flying Spur, Continental GT and Continental GTC, the Speed Edition 12 brings in a raft of design upgrades. All the tweaks are subtle but offer a sportier twist on Bentley’s design language. It all starts with the silver brake callipers, which are not available for any other Bentley, while the Continental GT and Convertible models feature front fender Speed Edition 12 badging with the Bentayga and Flying Spur models having the same badging on the rear quarter. Opening the bonnet reveals a numbered Edition 12 plaque on the engine cover.
Other exterior features include Blackline specification exterior trim elements, 22-inch black painted Speed alloy wheels, and self-levelling wheel badges. A new paint colour, Opalite, is available as an option and it matches these touches nicely since it’s a light grey-green shade with a subtle copper effect that glows in bright sunshine.
Inside, there are Edition 12 welcome lamps and illuminated treadplates while the seats come with Mulliner Silver piping and embroidered Edition 12 name style. The upper seat areas are also quilted and contrast stitched in a graduated three-colour ‘fade’ from Anthracite through Porpoise to Stratos. Quilted door panels are contrast stitched too. Along with high gloss black veneer, customers can choose Beluga black as the sole upholstery colour or mix it with Brunel blue, Cricketball red, Linen or Orange.
It doesn’t stop there as even the organ stop air vents carry the numeral ‘12’ machined from solid on the face of the control. Another interesting detail is the Grand Black veneer facia facing the front seat passenger features the firing sequence of the W12 engine etched alongside an inlaid Speed Edition 12 badge. Finally, owners will be given a 15 per cent scale model of the Bentley W12 block and that is something very cool to ogle at since from 2024 we won’t be seeing these engines on Bentley cars anymore!
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