Royaume-Uni
Bentley
Bentley Motors is a British ultra-luxury automaker founded in London on July 10, 1919 by engineer Walter Owen Bentley, known by his initials W.O. With the benefit of an award of roughly 8,000 pounds paid by the Commission on Awards to Inventors, W.O. realized his ambition of building a car that was fast and well made, the best in its class. The first Bentley 3 Litre, assembled at Cricklewood, was delivered in September 1921. The marque built its legend in motorsport very early on: the famous Bentley Boys won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, and again from 1927 to 1930, laying the foundations for a reputation for fast touring and mechanical robustness. Weakened by the economic crisis, the company was acquired in 1931 by Rolls-Royce. From 1946 onward, production moved to Crewe, England, where Bentley and Rolls-Royce shared chassis and powertrains for many years. For decades, Bentley remained closely tied to Rolls-Royce, at times relegated to the role of a sporting variant. A major turning point came in 1998: the Volkswagen Group acquired the Bentley brand and the Crewe factory, while BMW secured the Rolls-Royce name, all as part of a complex transaction. Volkswagen invested heavily, modernized the Crewe site, and revived the brand, notably with the Continental GT in 2003, a model that made access to Bentley relatively more attainable and secured its commercial longevity. Today, Bentley Motors Limited remains a 100% subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, with its headquarters and production still concentrated in Crewe. In North America, Bentley does not build vehicles but relies on a network of official dealers in the United States and Canada, an important market for its prestige sedans, coupes, and SUVs. The brand maintains a highly artisanal approach to manufacturing, combining hand craftsmanship (leather, marquetry) with technical platforms shared within the group.
ActiveLuxePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideEuropéennes
History
History of Bentley
Bentley Motors is a British ultra-luxury automaker founded in London on July 10, 1919 by engineer Walter Owen Bentley, known by his initials W.O. With the benefit of an award of roughly 8,000 pounds paid by the Commission on Awards to Inventors, W.O. realized his ambition of building a car that was fast and well made, the best in its class. The first Bentley 3 Litre, assembled at Cricklewood, was delivered in September 1921. The marque built its legend in motorsport very early on: the famous Bentley Boys won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, and again from 1927 to 1930, laying the foundations for a reputation for fast touring and mechanical robustness. Weakened by the economic crisis, the company was acquired in 1931 by Rolls-Royce. From 1946 onward, production moved to Crewe, England, where Bentley and Rolls-Royce shared chassis and powertrains for many years. For decades, Bentley remained closely tied to Rolls-Royce, at times relegated to the role of a sporting variant. A major turning point came in 1998: the Volkswagen Group acquired the Bentley brand and the Crewe factory, while BMW secured the Rolls-Royce name, all as part of a complex transaction. Volkswagen invested heavily, modernized the Crewe site, and revived the brand, notably with the Continental GT in 2003, a model that made access to Bentley relatively more attainable and secured its commercial longevity. Today, Bentley Motors Limited remains a 100% subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, with its headquarters and production still concentrated in Crewe. In North America, Bentley does not build vehicles but relies on a network of official dealers in the United States and Canada, an important market for its prestige sedans, coupes, and SUVs. The brand maintains a highly artisanal approach to manufacturing, combining hand craftsmanship (leather, marquetry) with technical platforms shared within the group.
Public founding or origin of Bentley.
Bentayga: launch or first listed period.
Blower: launch or first listed period.
Continental GT: launch or first listed period.
Flying Spur: launch or first listed period.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Bentley combines group engineering with artisanal finishing. Long an icon of the brand, the 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine was progressively retired (production ended in 2024) in favor of 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8s developed with Audi and Porsche, as well as plug-in hybrid powertrains. The new Ultra Performance Hybrid system pairs a twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor to exceed 780 hp while allowing a few dozen kilometers of electric-only driving. Several models are built on the Volkswagen Group's MSB platform, designed by Porsche for architectures with a longitudinal engine and all-wheel drive. The vehicles feature adaptive air suspension, active anti-roll control (48 volts), all-wheel drive, torque vectoring, and modern driver assistance systems. Bentley has announced a gradual electrification strategy aimed at fully electric models.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A British ultra-luxury automaker blending high performance, refined comfort, and personalization, positioned at the very top of the automotive market.
Reputation
Bentley enjoys an image of artisanal luxury and understated performance, supported by glowing press reviews praising its comfort, finish, and traction. Reliability is considered acceptable on recent, well-maintained vehicles, but servicing and repairs are costly, parts are expensive, and few mechanics are familiar with these aging cars. On the resale side, depreciation is significant: often around 40 to 50% over five years depending on the model, with the Bentayga SUV among the hardest hit. Nonetheless, the models hold their value better than some comparable ultra-luxury rivals, especially in the early years.
Strengths
Bentley offers a rare blend of artisanal luxury, ride comfort, and high performance. The interior finish (leather, woodwork, marquetry) is among the best on the market, with virtually unlimited personalization through Mulliner. Engineering drawn from the Volkswagen Group brings design reliability, effective all-wheel drive, and modern technologies. The brand's prestige and sporting heritage reinforce its desirability.
Points to watch
The cost of purchase, maintenance, and insurance is very high, and out-of-warranty repairs can be prohibitive, all the more so since few workshops are familiar with these vehicles. Depreciation is steep on several models, particularly the SUV. The substantial weight and high fuel consumption weigh on daily and environmental use. Large-diameter tires and wheels are expensive to replace, which adds to the routine maintenance budget.
Models
Bentley models
Current or active models by market
Bentayga 2015 - actif SUV luxe Continental GT 2003 - actif GT luxe Flying Spur 2005 - actif berline luxe
Notable past models
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Bentley's industrial heart is in Crewe, England, where the brand has been based since 1946. It is there that nearly all vehicles are assembled, along with many engines, with a significant share of manual work (leather upholstery, woodwork, paint). The Mulliner division, also based in Crewe, handles extreme personalization and special series, such as the Blower Continuation. Bentley does not have an assembly plant in North America: all vehicles sold in Canada and the United States are imported from the United Kingdom. The North American presence is therefore limited to distribution, service, and official dealers, with the American market remaining one of the most important for the brand.
Tires and wheels
Modern Bentleys generally ride on large wheels, most often 21 or 22 inches on the Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Bentayga, with low-profile tires and wide sections. On the Continental/Flying Spur platforms, you commonly find a 5-bolt pattern, wide wheels, and a specific center bore: it is important to respect the original load and speed ratings. In Quebec, certified winter tires are mandatory and strongly recommended given the weight and power of these vehicles; a second winter set, sometimes in a slightly reduced diameter, improves traction and cost. Always check the exact dimensions listed on the door jamb before any purchase.