The History of Bentley Motors & its Evolution

It all started in 1919 when Walter Owen Bentley had a vision for perfection in engineering and speed. In simple words, he intended to build a car that was fast and the best in its class. The same year, Bentley Motors Limited manufactured a 3.0-litre automobile that was powered by a four-cylinder engine.

This engine also marked the debut of reliable racing cars that were popular during the Bentley Boys era at Le Mans. The brand went on to win the most prestigious race in the world five times, establishing itself in the motoring scene. 

Ownership Transfers Over the Years

Bentley’s existence as an automotive brand has had a lot of ups and downs over the years. In the early 1930s, Bentley saw its ownership change a couple of times. Ultimately, Rolls-Royce was the one major buyer who took over Bentley during that time. After its acquisition, the brand manufactured cars with unmatched luxury but the racing DNA remained intact.

It also led to the introduction of the Mulsanne which featured a mighty V8 mill. 

Volkswagen Era

Bentley Motors Limited was established in 1998 and became a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group of companies. This paved the way for improvements in the use of technology and the re-establishment of the balanced combination of sporty and luxurious elements. Continued production of glamorous vehicles was met with economic setbacks until the Continental GT that was produced in 2003 found favour in the eyes of the buyers. 

This sophistication of the coupe four-wheeler was a combination of a twin-turbocharged W12 engine belting out 552 horsepower besides the iconic luxurious interiors from Bentley. The success of the Continental GT paved the way for the diversification of Bentley and also introduced luxury SUVs like the Bentayga with a V8 engine capable of making 547 horsepower.

Read Also: The History of MG Cars in India: From the Past to the Present

Future of Bentley

Today, the Bentley brand is synonymous with ultimate luxury and performance. They are leading the way in creating sustainably luxurious cars, especially with hybrid and electric cars such as the Bentayga hybrid. A V6 internal combustion engine plus an electric motor, for an output of 443 horsepower, is likely to be introduced in the future. 

As major car manufacturers shift to electric cars, it remains to be seen how Bentley tries to keep itself alive in the automobile industry. VW as a group has a couple of brands under its umbrella that have key cars in their electric vehicle portfolio.

Volkswagen as a brand has seen itself come out of many difficult circumstances, including the infamous diesel gate scandal. It will be interesting to see what changes the VW-Bentley collaboration brings to the fore. Other brands in the VW portfolio include Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi, Ducati and Skoda. Bentley’s India lineup includes the Continental, Flying Spur and Bentayga sports utility vehicle.

Still, it manages to remain loyal to the concept that its founder provided - creating automobiles that are as engaging to control as they are pleasant to drive. Bentley clearly has a promising future ahead as it is the kind of luxury motoring which has a desire to continue being identified as a market leader in the generations to come.

List of Bentley Cars on Sale in India

Read Also: History of Mercedes Benz Cars in India