Bentley News

Volkswagen is about to make some big changes that could have knock-on effects for Australia.The brand is planning to cut up to half of its line-up across its brands.Auto News reports as many as 75 models could be ditched, which would reduce VW Group’s capacity from 10 million vehicle to nine million."The global situation has continued to deteriorate over the past twelve months," Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume said. "That is why we are ​acting now."There is no news yet on what models will be under threat, but Australia is unlikely to be immune from these changes.A spokesperson for Volkswagen Australia said this news will have no immediate impact on the local branch."As a next step, we will work closely with our headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, to assess what adjustments – if any – may be needed at the local level," they said.Audi, Bentley, Cupra, Lamborghini, Porsche and Skoda, as well as Volkswagen, all fall under the VW Group name, and the brand has a significant presence in Australia. VW alone has amassed more than 12,000 sales in Australia, but that figure represents a 16. per cent decline compared to June 2025.VW Group sales are declining globally as the brand grapples with soaring costs, including US tariffs, and increasingly competitive Chinese competition. Its profit margins were sliced in half between 2021 and 2025, according to Auto News.  Auto News is also reporting four German VW Group factories are in danger of seeing their doors closed for good, which are plants in Hanover, Emden, Zwickau and Neckarsulm.The brand is also planning to cut up to 100,000 jobs as part of its down-sizing. The proposed moves were subject to heavy protests from workers late last week.VW Group has deepened its ties to China recently, with CEO Blume suggesting the brand could export its China-only models to other markets. This could help cut down the costs for the brand to import cars to Australia. European-built models are often more expensive to produce and import than ones from China.

CarsGuide’s mission is to provide in-market car buyers with the independent information they need to make an informed purchase decision.Keeping enthusiasts up to date with the latest new model and industry news is also a key focus, as is providing advice across everything from technical and mechanical issues to legal questions and maintenance tips.  And after providing all that info, we have cars listed for sale on the site. Getting up towards 100,000 of them, each appearing on carsguide.com.au, as well as Gumtree and Autotrader.Every conceivable configuration across a million different brands. New vehicles as well as used cars, the latter category often including ‘pre-loved’ classics.And if you’ve ever thought about getting into the collector car hobby there’s a smorgasbord of interesting options in there.You can go all out and spend eye-watering sums on a special vehicle but there’s plenty of fun to be had on a relatively modest budget.Here are our top five classic collector car options currently available across our three-site portfolio for less than $50K.The original owner of this imposing sedan strolled into H.R. Owen’s South Kensington dealership in West London and drove away in a 6.75-litre V8-powered gentleman’s club on wheels. Lustrous Brooklands Green finish, tan Connolly hide and “flawless” burr walnut veneer trim. Maybe best not to think about maintenance and potential repair costs.More infoAt just over 5.2 metres long Ford’s fourth-gen Thunderbird is a big beastie, but the standard 6.4-litre (390ci) V8 keeps it flying at a decent clip. This left-hand drive US import arrived here in 2020 and its Tropical Turquoise finish with two-tone green trim makes for a sure-fire stand-out. Those vast tail-lights are peak 1960s US automotive styling decoration.More infoAs its name implies this BF Falcon-based MK II Boss 290 GT is powered by a quad-cam, naturally aspirated 5.4-litre V8 producing 290kW/520Nm. Number 244 of close to 1800 BF GTs produced, it features the ZF six-speed auto transmission rather than the Tremec T56 manual gearbox. A lot of modern muscle car for the money.   More infoThe V2 Series 3 Monaro is propelled by the 5.7-litre Gen III LS1 V8 originally delivering 245kW/465Nm to the rear wheels, in this case via the four-speed auto option. The black (full) leather trim looks to be in good shape with the car in standard condition (which isn’t always the case) including the stock 18-inch five-spoke alloy rims. More infoNeed a bit of V12-powered Japanese limousine luxury in your life? How about an impeccable Toyota Century for less than $40K? This second-gen (GZG50) example is fit to ferry an Emperor with rear seat heating, recline and massage functions as well as soft-close doors and hectares of ultra-soft leather trim. So much indulgent bang for the buck!More info

Bentley says it will not leverage the Volkswagen Group's close ties with SAIC and XPeng to gain access to state-of-the-art EV tech or range-extender powertrains to help it succeed in markets like China.Following fresh reports that fellow luxury brand, Maserati, is in high-level discussions with both Huawei and JAC, Bentley boss Frank-Steffan Walliser was quick to rule out any possibility of borrowing any tech from China, however cutting-edge.Walliser said: "You have some specific technologies that are available in China. For sure, you can use them." people are looking for a British luxury car."Walliser went on to say that buyers look at both the product and the content and that both had to remain true to Bentley, and that it's the same reason the 107-year-old brand had not simply relocated some of its assembly lines to the US to avoid the recent tariffs that reportedly cost it €42 million (A$68 million) last year alone.While Maserati thinks that the addition of a range-extender hybrid powertrain and JAC's latest pure-electric power for models like its all-new seventh-generation Quattroporte will help it finally win over Chinese buyers in a way previous models haven't, again, Walliser isn't convinced."We already have a very nice range extender. A 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with a very small battery. I feel this is perfect", said the CEO, referencing the firm's latest Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain that was launched on models like the Continental GT Speed, GTC convertible and Flying Spur.Despite producing as much as 575kW and 1000Nm of torque, each model can only drive in EV mode up to 80km on a single charge, a long way off the 200-400km some luxury limos are capable of with their range-extender hybrids, which feature bigger batteries and only employs a combustion engine as a generator, rather than driving the wheels.It's not just a long zero-emission range that sees Chinese buyers favour range-extenders over a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) from the likes of Bentley and other Euro brands.Range-extended hybrids as well as EVs attract both healthy purchase incentives and tax breaks, while PHEVs are sometimes lumped in together with traditional petrol and diesel combustion engines and can see them be hit by license plate quotas, which means any potential owner has to enter an expensive and highly competitive lottery just to be able to register their car.With Bentley's first-ever EV just a few months away, Walliser says he has high hopes for the Urban SUV that's being developed under the D-LEV codename, and believes its blend of innovative tech, styling, more compact footprint (compared to the Bentayga), generous levels of space and big power should prove a big hit in a segment yet to be explored by the brand."On our short to midterm strategy it's clear hybrid is right, but we will balance portfolio by offering a fully electric car. What I'm very happy about is 20-25 per cent of the market is already electric. And we see a movement, and all our luxury competitors will soon have an electric car on offer. It would be a mistake to not offer one."Sadly, for those waiting for a replacement for the largest Mulsanne limo, you might be in for a long wait.Walliser: "I'm very, very often asked about Mulsanne, just not by customers and mainly by media."We've looked at it and there's no market."Instead, the Supersports name introduced on the inbound rear-wheel drive Continental GT Supersports will spin off a new hardcore model variants based on core models, with a limited-run Continental GTC Supersports potentially already in the pipeline, hinted the Bentley boss.

China's move into upmarket luxury carmaking is the stuff of nightmares, admits Bentley CEO, Frank-Steffan Walliser."If someone could keep me up at night, it would be this, but luckily I sleep", joked the former Porsche chief engineer, who now holds the reins as CEO and chairman at the British luxury car-maker.Luckily for Bentley, the father of cars like the 918 Spyder is up for the challenge of a raft of new rivals from the likes of Nio, Yangwang, Aito and the Rolls-Royce of China - Hongqi."I'm deeply impressed by what the Chinese automotive industry is delivering. But is this a luxury product?" Walliser shakes his head."From a technical point of view, and technology point of view be very advanced but in today's world horsepower is easy, the brand is difficult."Citing the Apple watch versus a Swiss timepiece example Walliser says just because a brand charges a high price, that doesn't equate to it being a covetable, luxurious item."This is why the brand is so important and our heritage behind it. And the luxury product, by definition, can only come from the centre of Europe. From either northern Italy, Switzerland, France, south of Germany, or the UK. There is no other luxury brand in the world."Look at Lexus. It delivers outstanding technology, but is only really established in the US and Japan."A good product is not enough. We will not be successful by just building better cars. You also have to build a better brand."Walliser says Bentley remains unlike any of its rivals as it can offer high-end luxury cars and credible 'real' sporty cars, like the latest GT Continental Supersports, that entire 500-car production run sold out in less than two weeks after it was announced.Even with the introduction of its most advanced car yet, the still-to-be-named Urban SUV that will come with an all-electric power, Walliser says the brand won't stray from its core values."[The new EV] will be made in a completely new factory, using a different method and be very, very advanced and modern but the hands-on approach to building it and the levels of craftsmanship – we did not take it away, so you will still see leather, you will still see wood and hand stitching. This will all stay."Helping him sleep deeply, Walliser also predicts China's huge technological lead over Europe will also be short-lived and as the technological arms race becomes equal, buyers of luxury cars like Bentley will begin to appreciate the power of a good brand even more.

Bentley's Frank-Steffan Walliser has added his voice to a growing number of disgruntled carmaker CEOs counting the huge cost of a global mismanagement of the transition to EV power."If you add it all up, all the profit corrections we have seen over the last year, the misassumptions made, the misjudgement about the tipping point to full EV, it has cost the global automotive industry €100 billion (A$162b)."You could have made a lot of e-fuel to reduce CO2 with that," said the former Porsche chief engineer.Walliser and his former colleagues in Stuttgart lobbied institutions like the European Commission hard when it was drafting the original EU emission targets to include synthetic fuels that led to the most aggressive electrification plans, with some success, but despite that, the Bentley boss says the move to EVs remains inevitable."In the long term everything will be electric, is what I expect and we stay committed to the CO2 reduction", but the damage has already been done with billions now being written off as EV programs – even from the likes of Porsche – are now being cancelled, postponed, or reconfigured drastically to finally take into consideration what actual customers want."We have to look at the customer's choice. It's all about choice and not to limit the choice artificially."Walliser knows only too well from working on the front line in a small car-maker that had to write down an astonishing €3.9 billion (A$6.4b) as part of Porsche's EV retreat but, despite that, is confident it's time for Bentley to roll out its first electric car."On our short to midterm strategy it's clear hybrid is right, but we will balance portfolio by offering a fully electric car. What I'm very happy about is 20-25 per cent of the market is already electric. And we see a movement, and all our luxury competitors will soon have an electric car on offer. It would be a mistake to not offer one", said Walliser.Another mistake would be to abandon those who still demand petrol power too, says the Bentley boss, declaring that so long as there is demand and the small British car-maker can keep homologating them, V8s will remain part of the Bentley offering.

V8 engines in Australia have been on the decline with increasingly stringent emissions requirements and changes in production and demand.It has seen the recent departure of V8 favourites such as the 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel found in the Toyota LandCruiser.The options are continuing to fade with the next-generation Nissan Patrol ditching its 5.6-litre diesel V8, in favour of a twin-turbo six-cylinder set-up.For those wondering though, here are all the new cars still on sale in 2026 with a V8 engine.  Aston Martin  Aston Martin uses the Mercedes-AMG tuned 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 across most of its range. This includes the Vantage coupe and convertible models, producing 489kW and 800Nm. The engine is also found in the DB12, which is a V8-exclusive model. Previous DB generations have had the 5.9-litre V12, such as the DB9 and DB11.The DB12’s V8 produces slightly more power than the Vantage at 500kW, and has the same 800Nm.Aston Martin’s DBX SUV is the other model to house a V8 engine, which produces 405kW and 700Nm. The juiced up DBX 707 has 520kW and 700Nm. Audi Audi has a petrol V8 in four models, across both its sedan and SUV range. The top-spec limited edition RS6 Avant GT is the most expensive Audi model on sale in Australia, starting from nearly $400,000 (before on-road costs), although even the regular RS6 is a smidge over $250,000.Its 4.0-litre V8 engine produces 463kW and 850Nm, which is the same as in the related RS7.The standard versions of the SQ7 and SQ8 SUVs have lesser power outputs at 441kW/800Nm, while the range-topping RSQ8 Performance produces 471kW/850Nm.  FordFord has three V8 models on sale for its Mustang GT sports car, which all employ 5.0-litre unit, producing up to 347kW and 550Nm.  Bentley  The Flying Spur and Continental GT luxury grand tourers both have V8 power, with the Continental GT, a V8-exclusive. Bentley’s VW-group sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has been given some hybrid assistance in the top-end version of the Continental GT, boosting performance to 575kW and 1000Nm.The ultra high-end Bentayga SUV meanwhile shares its powerplant with the aforementioned Audi models, a 4.0-litre twin-turbo without plug-in assistance producing 478kW/850Nm.BMWBMW has one V8 petrol engine which features in five models on sale in Australia. The M5 adds a plug-in hybrid set-up to its V8, producing 535kW and 1000Nm. The M8 uses the same 4.4-litre engine, but it does not have an electrification, so it 'only' produces 460kW and 750Nm. This V8 is also found in several performance-oriented SUVs from BMW’s line-up, such as the X5, X6 and X7, as well as the full-size XM, which also employs a plug-in hybrid set-up. It was recently reported BMW has plans to continue its production of V8 engines in the carmaker’s Hams Hall facility in the United Kingdom, with North American demand continuing to be strong despite emissions laws closing in around the world. Mercedes-Benz The 4.0-litre V8 engine continues to be available on several Mercedes-Benz models, such as its luxury limousine S-Class and Maybach. It gets a plug-in hybrid twist on the ballistic GT63 SE, taking figures to a staggering 620kW and 1400Nm. The petrol-only GT63 has the same 4.0-litre engine, producing up to 450kW and 800Nm.Mercedes’ latest generation C63 sedan only features a twin-turbo hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder set-up, which has proved an unpopular swap compared to the previous V8. Like BMW, Mercedes also employs its V8 across high-end variants in its SUV range. Land Rover Land Rover installs two V8 engines, which feature as part of its Defender and Range Rover line-ups. The biggest V8 on offer is a 5.0-litre example, producing up to 368kW and 610Nm in the top-spec Defender model. There is also a 4.4-litre hybrid unit found on many of the P-Series and Sport Range Rover variants, with a maximum of 467kW and 750Nm. Lamborghini Lamborghini has one V8 engine, which is available on its Temerario coupe and its Urus SUV. It is a 4.0-litre example, producing up to 588kW and 950Nm. Ferrari  Ferrari offers a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine on its Roma and Roma Spider two-door sports cars. Both cars have 456kW and 760Nm.The SF90 Stradale has a bigger 4.0-litre unit, which gets the assistance of a plug-in hybrid system to produce 574kW and 800Nm.Nissan The Nissan Patrol 4WD currently on sale in Australia comes with a 5.6-litre V8 (298kW/560Nm), but that is about to change with the next-generation model.The incoming Patrol will launch in late 2026 with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 replacing the V8. 

Australia’s free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) appears to be only a matter of time, according to reports and it could have some serious implications for the domestic car industry. The Luxury Car Tax (LCT), which has been in place for more than 25 years, has been one of many key points of discussion in negotiations with the EU. A new car imported from another country that exceeds a fuel efficiency of 3.5L/100km is subject to a 33 per cent tax on every dollar more than $80,567 in price. For vehicles with fuel efficiency 3.5L/100km or less, the tax does not kick in until $91,387. While European luxury vehicles are impacted by many other factors that contribute to their higher prices, such as import costs to Australia and other fees and taxes, the LCT is a significant component of its price. European luxury cars in Australia are priced at a significantly higher point compared to other markets. Removal of the LCT could increase the affordability of cars from major manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, as well as many models under the Volkswagen banner.The LCT was originally designed to protect Australia’s domestic car manufacturing industry from imported alternatives, but Australia stopped producing cars in 2017.It is worth more than $1 billion to the Federal Government each year, with European manufacturers a large contributor, meaning its abolition for Europe brands would need to be enticing.Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell and the EU commissioner's joint statement said talks were “constructive and positive”, allowing “the two sides to converge positions on a range of issues.”"Good progress was achieved in narrowing gaps on a small number of outstanding matters," the statement read. Whether the future of the LCT was one of those issues is unknown but the continued rumours regarding the potential for its abolition indicate the agreement is working towards that end. 

I’m okay with picking pattern progressions, but begin to fall short when the pressure of upper level IQ testing starts to bring me undone. That said, even I could detect the clear sequence of super performance carmakers following one another into the world of the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8.A slew of British, German and Italian brands using the same performance vs consumption vs emissions equation to propel their exotic machines towards the horizon at warp speed with maximum efficiency.So, why did white-coated boffins from all points of the automotive globe come up with the same engine configuration, capacity and induction answer?Well, at the recent global launch of the Lamborghini Temerario (a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 hybrid) we asked Lambo’s Chief Technical Officer (and drift king) Dr. Rouven Mohr exactly that.He confirmed the broadly accepted answer that an individual cylinder volume of 500cc is the magic number.That’s right, the capacity that took the ‘Wollongong Whiz’ Wayne Gardner and ‘The Master of going Faster’ Mick Doohan to 500cc World Motorcycle Championship glory is the Goldilocks zone for an individual engine cylinder. And that’s because a cylinder of that size, ideally undersquare (with a stroke length exceeding its bore diameter), optimises the combustion process thanks to a relatively small internal surface to volume ratio (as the piston nears top dead centre) which helps improve fuel efficiency while producing optimum power and minimising C02 and NOx emissions.So, 500 times eight equals 4000, which, with the benefit of forced induction pushes the golden ratio to its maximum.And Lamborghini should know because the all-new (L411) unit it developed for the Temerario produces 588kW on its own, before a trio of electric motors tips in another 89kW for a total output of 677kW (920hp).Two turbos producing 2.5 bar located in the engine’s ‘hot vee’ optimise packaging and thermal management; titanium conrods reduce rotating mass; a flat plane crank delivers an even firing order and super hard finger followers in the valvetrain allow more aggressive cam profiles. The result? A 10,000rpm rev ceiling, which is… nuts.Other brands within the Volkswagen Group portfolio are on the same train, like Audi’s SQ7 and SQ8 with Bentley and Porsche directly sharing engine tech.And what about Mercedes-AMG with the GT63 and SL63 or McLaren just about matching Lambo for specific power output with its 750S rocketship?But hands up those who remember JLR’s ‘Ingenium’ modular engine family. Three-, four- and six-cylinder units built around 500cc cylinders. BMW Group with its triple, four- and six-cylinder engines, along with many others have also struck on the 500cc formula. But maybe Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann has the most compelling reason for joining the club.While acknowledging the capacity of the cylinder premise - “Six cylinder is usually three litres, eight is four and 12 is six” - he lets slip that the 4.0L thing “is also a matter of taxation in a lot of countries”. So, follow engine efficiency or follow the money, the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 answer is the same.

As the automotive industry's peak body warns of challenging times ahead for the new-car market in Australia due to rising costs and high interest rates, there is one corner of the market that is thriving.

Yet another ‘most powerful’ brand record is broken, this time by the 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed plug-in hybrid. Although exciting, it marks a sad end to Bentley’s unique W12 engine configuration after production ceased at Crewe in April 2024. The revised cross-plane single-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine is allied to a 140kW/450Nm electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission. The system punches out 575kW and 1000Nm, enough to get the grand tourer from rest to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds. For the first time, the Continental GT hardtop is launched alongside its rag-top GTC relation – excitingly available with tweed as a material choice for the hood. Though visually similar to the car it replaces, Bentley's muscular fourth-generation Continental GT features 68 per cent all-new componentry. The Continental GT is the first mainstream non coach-built model since the 1959 S2 to feature single headlights; modern Matrix LED items, naturally. An active anti-roll system powered by the 48-volt electrical system, new ESC programming and a rear-axle active eLSD help harness all the punch. Mounted behind the rear wheel, the larger 25.9kWh battery allows 81km of electric-only driving range (WLTP) and can charge in two hours and 45 minutes at 11kW (AC). Bentley claims a ‘perfect’ 49:51 weight distribution for the all-wheel drive grand tourer. To show off the new powertrain’s capability, Bentley set a unique ‘underwater speed record’ using the world’s longest tunnel. The two-door hit 335km/h in the 14.4km long Ryfylke undersea road tunnel in Norway, running on renewable biofuel and green electricity. To haul up the Continental GT Speed, steel brakes are standard though Carbon-Silicon-Carbide brakes with 440mm front and 410mm rear rotors are optionally available. Inside, luxury and personalisation is the name of the game for the four-seater. The Continental GT has 20-way power-adjust seats with quilted leather upholstery, 'Auto Posture Adjust' and automatic heating plus ventilation.The Continental GT gets a 650-watt stereo as standard with both 16-speaker 1500W Bang & Olufsen or flagship 18-speaker 2200W Naim sound system with 'Active Bass Transducers' available. Australian pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed for Bentley’s Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin DB12 and Ferrari 12Cilindri rival.