Announced 15 September 1930, it was also the last completely new model by Bentley before the company's financial collapse and forced sale to Rolls-Royce Limited.

The straight-six engine used a one-piece iron block and non-detachable cylinder head with a crankcase made from Elektron, a magnesium alloy.

[11] An entirely new design of four-speed gearbox provided four speeds (constant mesh third) and reverse[3][12] with a single-plate dry clutch which sent power through a hypoid bevel final drive to the rear axle and its 21" Rudge-Whitworth wire centre-lock wheels.

[3] Suspension by long semi-elliptic leaf springs was controlled by double acting dampers, friction on the front and hydraulic on the rear axle, and all four wheels were fitted with Dewandre vacuum-servo-assisted 400 mm (15.7 in) drum brakes, the forward brakes being of Bentley-Perrott design.

[3] There was centralised chassis lubrication[3][13] including the gaitered springs but not for the front axle or the clutch withdrawal system.

[14] Announced on 15 September 1930[4] and launched at the London Olympia Motor Show in October 1930,[3] the 8 Litre Bentley was noted for its tractability and smoothness; it could be driven from walking pace to highway speeds in top gear without effort.

[18] When Rolls-Royce bought Bentley Motors from the receiver[21] in November 1931,[22] it discontinued production of the 8-Litre[13][12] and disposed of all spare parts for it.