The Bacalar spearheads a return to coachbuilding by Bentley Mulliner and features an enhanced version of Bentley’s peerless 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine, the most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world.

Since the first introduction of the twin-turbocharger W12 in 2003, the engine’s refinement has seen an increase of up to 27 percent in power, 38 percent in torque and a reduction of 38 percent in emissions.

This has been realised through the evolution and optimisation of the crankcase, improvements in the oil and cooling systems, twin-scroll turbocharging technology and more effective injection and combustion processes.

Sources from Bentley told this correspondent that these improvements resulted from several initiatives taken by the company. It may be recalled that the latest generation of W12 was launched in the Bentayga in 2016. “A thoroughly reworked engine included a crankcase 30 percent stronger than its predecessor, while the cylinder surfaces were coated to reduce friction and improve corrosion resistance. A low-alloy steel coating is applied to the bores using an Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) process. Improvements were also made to the cooling system, with the engine featuring three separate coolant circuits. The first is designed to bring the cylinder heads up to optimum operating temperature as quickly as possible for best engine performance and low emissions. The second cool the engine block and oil system, while the third handles the turbochargers’ thermal load. Each system has a dedicated water pump, allowing optimised individual control,” sources said.

Twin-scroll Turbocharging

Twin-scroll turbochargers minimise turbo response time and provide a more efficient exhaust package. The exhaust assemblies for the three front and three rear cylinders are separate from one another, which feed the twin-scroll impellers. The turbocharger housing is welded directly to the exhaust manifolds and feature integrated speed sensors, allowing the engine to monitor turbo performance for maximum efficiency.

Effective Injection

The W12 combines high-pressure direct fuel injection (200 bar injection pressure) with low-pressure port injection (six bar). The combination of these two systems maximises refinement, lowers particulate emissions and optimises power and torque delivery.

Interestingly, each W12 engine is hand-built over 6.5 hours by a team of 45 craftspeople before undertaking a highly sophisticated test regime of over an hour via three specialist diagnostic machines during the engines assemble.

According to the sources, there were three specialist diagnostic machines with sophisticated test regime.

Leak Test

The leakage test is conducted by pressurising each of the systems for fuel, oil and water individually. The different cavities are pressurised to values between 0.2 – 5.0 bar respectively and then measured whilst the pressure decays over time. The reduction in pressure versus time represents the quality of the sealing of the engine assembly. If the pressure drops faster than expected, a leak is indicated. A special fluid is sprayed on to the exterior of the engine to pin-point any leakage paths.

Cold Test

The engine is loaded on to a testbed plate, and connections are made to the engine loom and all engine systems, whilst a large electric motor couples to the engine via the crankshaft. “Motoring” the engine via the crankshaft allows the testbed to collect data from a suite of sensors. The facility measures 600 individual properties and characteristics of the engine during a 15-minute cycle. Due to the low running speed of 120 RPM for the test, finer details and any inconsistencies can be identified thanks to a sample rate that highlights even the briefest of anomalies that would be invisible if the engine was firing or running at speed. This fine detail analysis is also valuable for confirming the precise timing of the engine. Using positioning information from sensors on the crankshaft, crankcase and camshafts, and cylinder compression values, the Cold Test can confirm the engine timing is accurate and, therefore, achieve the best possible combustion cycle.

Hot Test

When the engine arrives for hot testing, a UV dye is added to the engine to help identify any leaks. The coolant and fuel system are pressurised with air and nitrogen, respectively, for a final check before introducing the necessary fluids ready for testing. The engine is cranked to build oil pressure before the ignition system is energised and then left to idle whilst the engine test technician listens for any refinement issues and checks for leaks with a UV lamp. Sources said that each W12 is then tested for a minimum of 21.5 minutes and runs up to 3,800 rpm with a maximum load of 300 Nm. One in every one hundred engines receives a full eight-hour power test, achieving 6,000 RPM, and must achieve 900Nm.

The three tests that the Bacalar engine has already been put through are part of Bentley’s exceptional quality control processes. These testing procedures provide feedback on the quality of each engine and provide multiple checkpoints to catalogue the exact behaviour of each engine from the moment of manufacture. Since the installation of the three testbeds in 2002, over 100,000 W12 engines have been handcrafted in Crewe and passed through the test facility.

Technology Advancements

Bentley’s legendary 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12, created in 2002, has evolved into the latest iteration of the W12 engine used across today’s current model range. The unique W-configuration means that the engine is 24 percent shorter than an equivalent V12, benefitting packaging and maximising usable cabin space.

The latest generation of W12 was launched in the Bentayga in 2016. A thoroughly reworked engine included a crankcase 30 percent stronger than its predecessor, while the cylinder surfaces were coated to reduce friction and improve corrosion resistance. A low-alloy steel coating is applied to the bores using an Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) process.

The W12 combines high-pressure direct fuel injection (200 bar injection pressure) with low-pressure port injection (six bar). The combination of these two systems maximises refinement, lowers particulate emissions and optimises power and torque delivery.

Twin-scroll turbochargers minimise turbo response time and provide a more efficient exhaust package. The exhaust assemblies for the three front and three rear cylinders are separate from one another, which then feed the twin-scroll impellers. The turbocharger housing is welded directly to the exhaust manifolds and feature integrated speed sensors, allowing the engine to monitor turbo performance for maximum efficiency.

Bentley’s variable displacement system shuts down half of the engine under defined conditions. Intake and exhaust valves, fuel injection and ignition are all shut down on defined cylinders, with the engine running as a six-cylinder for improved efficiency. The system will run in this mode in gears three to eight, below 3,000 rpm and up to 300 Nm torque output.

The first Bacalar engine followed the same build process in Bentley’s centre of excellence for W12 engines, ensuring the same level of quality and expertise before final testing, sources added. (MT)

Sustainable, Recyclable Electric Motors

Bentley Motors has announced a three-year research study that aims to revolutionise the sustainability of electric motors. Supporting Bentley’s commitment to offering only hybrid or electric vehicles by 2026, the result could see recycled rare-earth magnets used in selected ancillary motors for the very first time.

The study, titled RaRE (Rare-earth Recycling for E-machines), intends to build on work completed at the University of Birmingham in devising a method of extracting magnets from waste electronics. The project will also scale up this process and repurpose the extracted magnetic material into new recyclable magnets for use within bespoke ancillary motors.

Adding to the sustainability benefits that RaRE will provide, the bespoke motors created through this method promise to minimise complexity through manufacture while supporting the development of the UK supply chain for both mass production and low volume components.

Dr Matthias Rabe, Member of the Board for Engineering, Bentley Motors, said, “As we accelerate our journey to electrification, offering only hybrid or electric vehicles by 2026, and full electric by 2030, it is important that we focus on every aspect of vehicle sustainability, including sustainable methods of sourcing materials and components. RaRE promises a step-change in electrical recyclability, providing a source of truly bespoke, low voltage motors for a number of different applications, and we are confident the results will provide a basis for fully sustainable electric drives.”

This study will run in parallel to Bentley’s OCTOPUS research programme, which aims to deliver a breakthrough in e-axle electric powertrains, utilising a fully integrated, free from rare-earth magnet e-axle that supports electric vehicle architectures.

As with OCTOPUS, RaRE is an OZEV funded project delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, which brings together the following partners with distinct roles and responsibilities. Bentley Motors will lead specification setting and test protocol development and support the design and manufacturing activities, while Hypromag will scale up the recycling processes developed at the University of Birmingham and convert the extracted powders to sintered magnets with properties designed around those required for the auxiliary motors. On its part, Unipart Powertrain Applications Ltd will lead the development of manufacturing scale-up routes to ensure facilities and processes defined are suitable for volume automotive manufacture.

Advanced Electric Machines Research Ltd will lead the motors’ design and development, while Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions Ltd will pre-process computer hard disk drives to remove the rare earth magnet containing components from the waste, which will be shipped to Hypromag for removal of the rare earth magnets. The University of Birmingham will provide cast alloys, which will be fed into Hypromag to blend with secondary materials to produce sintered magnets. (MT)

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Japanese luxury brand Lexus India has introduced a new ‘Exquisite’ grade to its RX 350h line-up, strengthening the model’s presence in the luxury SUV segment.

The new RX 350h Exquisite grade starts at INR 8.99 million (ex-showroom), which goes up to INR 10.09 million (ex-showroom).

The RX 350h Exquisite grade features Lexus’ hybrid system, which combines a highly efficient 2.5-litre inline 4-cylinder engine and high-output motor. It includes a bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery with enhanced performance. On the inside, it gets 10-way power adjusted front seats, heated and ventilated seating for front & rear seats and ambient lighting.

The RX 500h F-SPORT grade is the only Performance Hybrid Electric Turbocharged Luxury SUV in India. The 2.4 L-T HEV on the RX 500h features a front unit integrating a 2.4-L turbocharged engine, motor, a 6-speed automatic transmission and an eAxle with a built-in high output motor driving the rear wheels. The RX 500h features Dynamic Rear-Wheel Steering and DIRECT4 technology for acceleration.

The RX features a Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio system and offers Lexus Safety System+ with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Cross Traffic Alert and Safe Exit Assist with Blind Spot Monitor.

Between January and November this year, the RX model recorded 12 percent growth, reflecting rising demand for luxury SUVs in the country. During the same period, SUVs contributed about 40 percent to Lexus India’s overall performance, underscoring the RX’s pivotal role in driving the brand’s momentum.

Hikaru Ikeuchi, President, Lexus India, said, ‘The Lexus RX represents our dedication to luxury, design, performance, and sustainable mobility. As the luxury SUV segment continues to grow, the introduction of the new Exquisite grade allows us to offer guests a wider range of options and features to choose from. This enhancement reflects our continued commitment to expanding our portfolio and elevating the Lexus experience in India, supported by advanced technology and a guest-first philosophy.”

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JSW MG Motor India has announced that its luxury retail channel, MG SELECT, has crossed a triple milestone: reaching 1,000-unit sales, inaugurating its 15th Experience Centre and maintaining the second position in India’s luxury EV market.

The network now encompasses 15 Experience Centres across 14 cities in India, reinforcing the brand's commitment to delivering an exclusive automotive retail journey. The recent inauguration of the 15th store in Jaipur further underscores the brand's ambition to redefine luxury mobility.

The milestone also highlighted sustained market demand for the select portfolio and is a key driver behind the brand’s 32 percent YTD growth in 2025.

The company claimed that the MG Cyberster, India's highest-selling sports car, has a 4–5 month waiting period, and the MG M9 - Presidential Limousine shows strong momentum in the luxury MPV segment. The MG Cyberster is available at an ex-showroom price of INR 7.49 million, while the MG M9 is available at an ex-showroom price of INR 6.99 million.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, "Our rise to become the second largest luxury EV brand in the country speaks to a singular belief. True luxury is felt in every touchpoint when precision, ambition and care move together. Through MG SELECT we have crafted an ownership world where innovation meets desire and where every interaction feels intentional. We are shaping the next era of electric mobility for India’s most discerning customers, with a commitment that is both bold and deeply personal.”

The MG SELECT Experience Centres are spaces for the brand's flagship vehicles. These venues provide an immersive, gallery-like setting, ensuring the display of these models is the focal point of the customer interaction. The Jaipur showroom, located at Tonk Road near Sanganer Flyover, exemplifies the MG SELECT philosophy of ‘Reimagining Luxury’, featuring spacious, serene, and technologically advanced environments that elevate the car buying journey.

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Maruti Suzuki India has been awarded a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for its e Vitara, marking a moment for the company's electric vehicle strategy.

The e Vitara is built on Suzuki’s Heartect-e platform designed for electric vehicles to deliver strength, structural rigidity and advanced high voltage protection. The ‘Made-in-India, Made-for-the-World’ e Vitara is designed and tested for temperature conditions across the world, ensuring performance from as high as 60deg Celsius to as low as -30deg Celsius. The model is offered with 49 kWh and 61 kWh battery options.

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, said, “Congratulations to Maruti Suzuki for achieving 5-star Bharat NCAP in both adult and child occupant protection for their e Vitara. I am especially glad that Maruti Suzuki has shown real leadership in providing 7 airbags as a standard across all variants of the e Vitara.”

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for e Vitara, our first Battery Electric Vehicle, is a moment of immense pride for all of us at Maruti Suzuki. Using the Bharat NCAP 5-star rating, we will export the e Vitara to more than 100 countries of the world. Bharat NCAP’s globally benchmarked stringent vehicle test protocols have been a catalyst in empowering customers to make informed decisions. I thank the Minister Gadkari, the officials in his Ministry and test agencies for their rigorous efforts and commitment in shaping India’s journey towards safe mobility.”

The e VITARA’s body structure uses more than 60 percent ultra-high tensile and high-tensile strength steel. Its battery protection system incorporates a structural design with an energy-absorbing battery pack mounting structure.

Key safety features include 7 standard airbags (including the Driver's knee airbag), Level 2 ADAS (Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control), Hill Hold Control, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and a 360-degree Surround View Camera.

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Mahindra has marked a major milestone in its nationwide electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure expansion with the inauguration of its first dealership-based ultrafast charger – a 180 kW Charge_IN station.

This is the first of many such installations planned across Mahindra dealerships, forming a key pillar of the company’s commitment to building India’s ultrafast charging network.

This initiative scales up Mahindra’s Charge_IN ecosystem, complementing the 250 highway fast-charging stations already announced. The new 180 kW ultrafast chargers will enable EV users to charge quickly and conveniently at strategically located dealerships across the country, with 24x7 on-ground support.

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