For over two decades, Bentley's sumptuous vehicles have roared with the power of the iconic W-12 engine. Now, the era of the 12-cylinder marvel has come to an end.

The last of the 6.0-litre W-12 engines has rolled off the assembly line in Crewe, marking the end of an extraordinary chapter. To commemorate this milestone, Bentley's team gathered for a special lunch, reminiscing about the 21 years that this engineering marvel defined the brand's performance and luxury.

Has it really been 21 years? Technically, it's been a bit more. Originally developed by Volkswagen, the 6.0-litre engine debuted in the 2001 Audi A8. However, Bentley's iteration, complete with a pair of turbochargers, made its grand entrance in the 2003 Continental GT. Over the next two decades, this engine evolved, starting with 552 horsepower (412 kW) and 650 Nm of torque, culminating in a jaw-dropping 740 hp (552 kW) and 1,000 Nm in the exquisite Batur.

While production of the W-12 has ceased, its legacy is far from fading. Bentley hails it as the most successful 12-cylinder engine of the modern era, with over 100,000 units produced since 2003. Essentially two V-6 engines fused together, the W-12's staggered cylinder layout made it significantly more compact than a traditional V-12.

"The W-12 has propelled our cars and business forward at an exceptional speed and will go down as one of the most important innovations in our illustrious history," said Dr. Matthias Rabe, Bentley's board member for research and development. "Today marks the end of a development journey that our R&D and manufacturing colleagues over the years should be extremely proud of."

Stepping into the spotlight as Bentley's flagship powerplant is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre hybrid V8. This new engine, with an electric motor nestled between the engine and transmission, churns out a combined 779 hp (581 kW) and 1,000 Nm of torque. It will debut later this year in the 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed, heralding a new era of performance and efficiency for the marque.

Goodbye, W-12. You've been nothing short of legendary.