Thursday 3rd July

Bentley V8 hybrids get Akrapovic exhaust option

Save weight, gain noise with latest Continental GT, Flying Spur and GTC cost option

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Say what you will about the introduction of a V8 hybrid throughout the Bentley range (most said so far has been overwhelmingly positive), but heck does it sound good. The 4.0-litre unit tends to, whatever the installation, and never more so than when rollicking two and half tonnes of Bentley around. That doesn't mean there wasn't untapped potential in the V8, mind - so now there’s an Akrapovic titanium exhaust available for all variants (so the 680hp High Performance Hybrid, or the 782hp Ultra Performance Hybrid in the Speeds) of Continental GT and Spur. 

Bentley reckons the new pipes offer up ‘a thrilling and visceral soundtrack that does full justice to the performance of these models’, as well as being closely related to the system just introduced in the Bentayga Speed. One we suggested was ‘cackle-out-loud fun’ in the SUV; imagine what Slovenia’s finest might sound like with the open air of a Continental GTC, or the supersaloon surroundings of a Spur. Certainly the video teaser would suggest it’s pleasingly raucous. Sport is when the bypass in the silencers open, so bank on these new Bentleys being suitably subdued in other scenarios. Hopefully.

Building an exhaust from titanium and ‘special super alloys’ means the Akrapovic setup is up to 10 kilos lighter than stock depending on which model. Strength, weight, flow and heat resistance were said to be the main priorities for the upgrade; no power gain has been published. Cars optioned with the exhaust will be identifiable by a new design of pipes with a sandblasted matte titanium finish with Bently and Akrapovic branding.

A cost hasn’t been issued for the optional upgrade, though you can bank on it being significant; this is an Akrapovic exhaust on a Bentley, after all. It’s available to order on new commissions of the Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur now, or interestingly as a retrofit option for all the fourth-generation cars from dealers. The perfect finish touch for an Orange Flame GT like this one, surely.

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• 2025 Bentley Bentayga Speed | PH Review
• 2024 Bentley Continental GT Speed | PH Review

[CharverDeeksWorth]

Probably just what you need as you’re wafting along in a relaxed manner.

[rodericb]

Yeah whatever but the star here is Akrapovic and how they started off making mufflers for motorbikes in the early 90's or whatever and look where they are now. It's incredible.

[Abacus21]

Nothing says more that I have a performance car to go with this luxury car then a Bentley with an Akrapovic exhaust.

Superb !

[GreatScott2016]

CharverDeeksWorth said:

Probably just what you need as you re wafting along in a relaxed manner.

My thoughts exactly

[Mark-C]

GreatScott2016 said:

CharverDeeksWorth said:

Probably just what you need as you re wafting along in a relaxed manner.

My thoughts exactly

Hopefully it comes with some audio upgrades so you can still hear Radio 3

[The Pistonsdead]

Have to say that sounds rather good

[Truckosaurus]

Seems a good thing to do to differentiate between the ICE/hybrid engines and EVs - make the most of the ICE noise rather than trying to make it silent like an EV.

[GTRene]

they look like great products, lovely made. expensive and lightweight, looks lovely.

imagine how much time they spend on such system to get it right then the end of those exhaust treated like jewelry, but... looks good.

[hu8742]

Akrapovic and Bentley do seem like strange bed fellows. What next, racing stripes over your Flying Spur?

Re earlier comment, agree how amazing Akrapovic have done over the years. Well done them. Shame we don’t have a British equivalent (or do we?)

[theicemario]

Hmm primer grey and a farty exhaust. Could be worse though, could be a Bentayga.

[indapendentlee]

Looks mega, sounds mega. 800 PS in one of these sounds like an absolute riot!

[jorders500]

There s a guy who lives near me with noisy exhaust on his Bentayga. He drives around like a total n@b, endangering the public and generally being a nuisance. That’s the sort of person that puts a noisy pipe on a Bentley. Put one on your Ferrari if you must, but not on a Bentley. Totally crass.

Edited by jorders500 on Friday 4th July 18:20

[tgr]

Well as ALPINA is no longer a customer they have to stoop to Bentley