Diesel engines unlikely to power Bentleys

For those who were hoping Bentley will sell one of their cars with a diesel engine will be disappointed, according to the company’s chairman.

Chairman and CEO, Franz-Josef Paefgen owned up some time ago that Bentley had tried out diesel engines and found them remarkable, but unfavourable market conditions make the move unlikely, Bentley claims.

Markets like Japan, U.S and China don’t seem to be too keen on the idea of a diesel-powered Bentley.

“The forthcoming Euro 6 clean-air regulations are likely to pile some big costs on to diesels,” says Bentley powertrain manager Brian Gush.

“And there’s a strong prejudice against them in the U.S and Japan, which are key markets for us. The attitude of Chinese buyers is going to have a big effect on cars like ours in future, too, and they are none too keen.

“Those of us who know diesels can see the benefits, but in large parts of the world the cars just wouldn’t sell."