Monday 18th February 2008

Bentley TDI

Could diesel be the way forward?

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Diesel- the right direction for Bentley?

Yes that's right, we could soon be seeing a diesel Bentley. OK, so it's not going to be some rattly old unit that's all about economy but it's still a diesel and it's in a Bentley. I'm not sure how I feel about that?

Maybe it shouldn't surprise us, after all VW have some fairly impressive diesels available, and only recently we told you about the R8 V12 TDI concept, but apparently there are some more performance orientated diesels waiting in the wings too

Adrian Hallmark, Bentleys Marketing Director told AutoTelegraaf that a diesel powerplant would make sense for the Bentley brand because its customers expect a low revving, high- torque engine. However the project has yet to get the green light- as customer demand isn't high enough to warrant the engineering costs.

If it does go ahead, the shortlisted engines are the VW V10 and V12 TDIs- however Hallmark claims that these units are too large to fit under the bonnet of the Continental GT or Flying Spur, so perhaps it will look to one of the forthcoming engines instead. Quite how Audi manage to fit the V12 into an R8, if it doesn't fit into a Flying Spur, is beyond us.

 

[The Curn]

Just wrong IMHO.

Some things just shouldn't have a diesel option.

Fine in an A8 or Toureg, but not the Bentley or an R8...

[briSk]

if they can get it quiet enough (no reason why not)..i think it makes perfect sense to install a giant diseasel in a new money bentley saloon. i mean it's the ideal way to get giant low rev torque..

[ASBO]

The Curn said:

Just wrong IMHO.

Some things just shouldn't have a diesel option.

Fine in an A8 or Toureg, but not the Bentley or an R8...

Why?

Bently's are all about torque. Big diesels provide plenty of that. What's the problem?

[Twincam16]

ASBO said:

The Curn said:

Just wrong IMHO.

Some things just shouldn't have a diesel option.

Fine in an A8 or Toureg, but not the Bentley or an R8...

Why?

Bently's are all about torque. Big diesels provide plenty of that. What's the problem?

And nowadays they can be made whisper-quiet too.

[Snoggledog]

Twincam16 said:

ASBO said:

The Curn said:

Just wrong IMHO.

Some things just shouldn't have a diesel option.

Fine in an A8 or Toureg, but not the Bentley or an R8...

Why?

Bently's are all about torque. Big diesels provide plenty of that. What's the problem?

And nowadays they can be made whisper-quiet too.

But the stench and clouds of black smoke as he floors it away from you.

[The Curn]

Twincam16 said:

ASBO said:

The Curn said:

Just wrong IMHO.

Some things just shouldn't have a diesel option.

Fine in an A8 or Toureg, but not the Bentley or an R8...

Why?

Bently's are all about torque. Big diesels provide plenty of that. What's the problem?

And nowadays they can be made whisper-quiet too.

No real argument based on any sound technical reasons I'm afraid.

Just a bit of a traditionalist, scared of change, all the rest of it

I was a bit sad when they dropped the petrol V8 from the Range Rover line up as well. I know the TDV8 trounces it on every count... I just prefer petrol.

[johnph]

The Curn said:

Just wrong IMHO.

Some things just shouldn't have a diesel option.

Fine in an A8 or Toureg, but not the Bentley or an R8...

Whats wrong with it being in an R8? It shows direct tranferance from the race track to the road.

Now if you'd said 911 I would agree with you, that car needs a 2.0 turbo and a weight loss programme.

Not sure about Bentley with diesel, but judging how quite diesels are now and the amount of weight that needs to be shifted it may be a sensible idea.

[Wigeon Incognito]

Go for it if there's a market. As long as the engine suits the car's character then there's no reason why not.

Everyone balked at the idea of the diesel XJ then it went on to win praise. Prior to that there was disbelief at the concept of a diesel S-Class or 7-Series but now they're the mainstays of the ranges.

I'd prefer petrol but can see both the reason and place for diesel.

[johnph]

Snoggledog said:

Twincam16 said:

ASBO said:

The Curn said:

Just wrong IMHO.

Some things just shouldn't have a diesel option.

Fine in an A8 or Toureg, but not the Bentley or an R8...

Why?

Bently's are all about torque. Big diesels provide plenty of that. What's the problem?

And nowadays they can be made whisper-quiet too.

But the stench and clouds of black smoke as he floors it away from you.

Err, back in the 80s they probably did. Its very rarely you'll see that on a modern diesel.

[DamoLLb]

there arn't many cars in which i would plump for the petrol unit over diesel option now days.....except this one!

Turbo charging yes, diesel no. You can get slabs of torque using diesel style turbo chargers as fitted the the 997 turbo. Although technology has come a long way, its not yet whisper quite. The car park clatter would out weigh the advantages of diesel IMO

[briSk]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

well they did but then they switched to bmw or bentley (6.75) power then only bentley power for the arnage once VAg took over. i guess the 4(?)litre v8 turbodiseasel would fit. just not sure if bmw would want to supply them to VAG..!

[Wigeon Incognito]

The Curn said:

I was a bit sad when they dropped the petrol V8 from the Range Rover line up as well. I know the TDV8 trounces it on every count... I just prefer petrol.

The Supercharged is a V8 petrol.

[briSk]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

great if you were harry ramsden

[The Curn]

johnph said:

Snoggledog said:

Twincam16 said:

ASBO said:

The Curn said:

Just wrong IMHO.

Some things just shouldn't have a diesel option.

Fine in an A8 or Toureg, but not the Bentley or an R8...

Why?

Bently's are all about torque. Big diesels provide plenty of that. What's the problem?

And nowadays they can be made whisper-quiet too.

But the stench and clouds of black smoke as he floors it away from you.

Err, back in the 80s they probably did. Its very rarely you'll see that on a modern diesel.

No. Quite often see / smell the black smoke from the back of newish 2.0 diesel repmobiles when following them in fast moving traffic on motorways etc.

[The Curn]

Wigeon Incognito said:

The Curn said:

I was a bit sad when they dropped the petrol V8 from the Range Rover line up as well. I know the TDV8 trounces it on every count... I just prefer petrol.

The Supercharged is a V8 petrol.

Yeah I know - I meant the standard one - bit of an end of era

[Snoggledog]

johnph said:

Err, back in the 80s they probably did. Its very rarely you'll see that on a modern diesel.

On my way home from the Sunday Service I saw (and smelt) plenty of modern smokey diesels. 2 years ago when I went to Fos the chaps from Audi were firing up the Le Mans winning Tdi. The clouds of rank smoke that thing belched out before it had warmed up was a sight that would make any mini cab driver feel proud. So no.. Although the modern diesels are better than the 80's varients they're still st.

edited for poor grammar and edited for the swear filter not working.

Edited by Snoggledog on Monday 18th February 11:59

[planetdave]

PH said:

If it does go ahead, the shortlisted engines are the VW V10 and V12 TDIs- however Hallmark claims that these units are too large to fit under the bonnet of the Continental GT or Flying Spur, so perhaps it will look to one of the forthcoming engines instead. Quite how Audi manage to fit the V12 into an R8, if it doesn't fit into a Flying Spur, is beyond us.

Perhaps because the Conti GT/Spur was designed for the short 'W' engine rather than a 'V' configuration. There may only be a couple of inches in it but that might be the straw etcetc.

[Chris71]

As long as it has enough oomph I think a modern Diesel would be good for a Bentley. They're supposed to be torquey wafty tourers, not sportscars. Of course a TDI probably wouldn't have quite the same bling appeal to footballers and lottery winners, but in real terms I think it's quite a good idea. The V8 Diesel in the Range Rover Sport certainly works very well, as does the 2.7 twin turbo in the jags. I agree a Bentley would need to be quicker, but if it's good enough for an R8....

[fatboy b]

Snoggledog said:

Although the modern diesels are better than the 80's varients they're still st.

Just don't know how you can say that. My A4 3.0 TDi has the same power as my old 330Ci did, yet has oodles more torque, and does nearly 40 mpg. They're loads of fun. I used to hate diesels too, but I grew out of it.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

It must be called VAG for a reason. What a terrible idea.

Bentleys have come a bit downmarket in recent years, but this sucks big style!

Running a Bentley on cheapskate juice - whatever next!