Bentley, a storied English carmaker, has graced the world’s roads with its exquisite, high-performance vehicles for over a century. The company’s legacy is intertwined with racing, having achieved remarkable victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Today, Bentley stands as one of a select group of ultra-luxury car marques, with Rolls-Royce being its primary competitor.
Bentley’s journey began with Walter Owen Bentley, known as W.O., an engineer with a passion for motorsports. In the early 20th century, he founded Bentley and Bentley, a dealership importing French DFP cars. Inspired by an aluminum paperweight, W.O. designed lightweight aluminum pistons for a DFP race car, leading to multiple speed records at Brooklands.
During World War I, W.O.’s engineering prowess was channeled into aircraft engine design, contributing to the Royal Navy’s war effort. Post-war, in 1919, Bentley Motors Limited emerged in London, with a singular focus on racing. Bentley’s cars quickly gained recognition on the racetrack, including a commendable 13th place finish at the 1922 Indianapolis 500.
The 1920s witnessed the rise of the legendary Bentley Boys, a group of wealthy British enthusiasts who showcased Bentley’s cars in races across Europe. Their daring exploits, including Woolf Barnato’s famous race against the Blue Train, cemented Bentley’s reputation for building fast, robust machines.
However, the global economic downturn in 1929 severely impacted Bentley’s finances, leading to its bankruptcy in 1931. British Central Equitable Trust acquired the company, which was later revealed to be a front for Rolls-Royce. For several decades, Bentley models closely resembled Rolls-Royce offerings.
In 1998, BMW acquired Rolls-Royce, leading to a separation between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Bentley. The latter was sold to Volkswagen, marking a new chapter in its history. Under Volkswagen’s ownership, Bentley re-entered the racing arena, achieving victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003 with the EXP Speed 8.
In recent years, Bentley has embraced electrification, announcing plans to transition to an all-electric lineup by 2030. The company aims to launch a new EV each year starting in 2025, marking a significant shift towards sustainable mobility while preserving its core values of luxury and performance.
