Bentley has its limits in downsizing its engines, which means despite all the trends and pressures, they will keep making W12 engine for future models.

With the introduction of the new fuel efficient V8 engine, we thought the current W12 engine is the last of its breed. It’s heartwarming to hear otherwise. Instead of killing the W12, Bentley has plans to make it more economical.

And more powerful. They say it’s possible to implement the same sort of improvements used to make the V8’s more efficient, to the W12. The next version of it is poised to have 600hp, up from the current 570.

Other programs Bentley is working on to keep its W12 include developing an eight-speed auto gearbox to replace the current six-speeder, and hybrid systems, although the latter will take a while to become production ready.

Bentley’s technical director Ralf Frech has revealed to What Car?:  ‘The W12 can have the same improvements as the new V8,’ he said, admitting that the current 12-cylinder, fitted to the Continental range could see improvements to fuel economy and power, possibly taking it close to 600bhp (the current W12 has 567bhp). ‘We are looking at the possibility of a hybrid, particularly a plug-in hybrid, but we are waiting for the next generation of technologies because none of the current solutions work,’ he said.