The 4 litre was an attempt at restoring the Bentley company to a good financial state. Introduced in 1931, it used a Ricardo F-head engine (modified by Walter Owen Bentley) in an attempt to attract more buyers. Instead, the company went into receivership shortly after, with archrival Rolls-Royce successfully purchasing the company.

The conventional straight-6 engine used an 85 mm (3.3 in) bore and 115 mm (4.5 in) stroke for a total of 3.9 L (3915 cc/238 in³) of displacement. It lacked the high power output and technology of the previous Bentley-designed engines.

The 8 Litre was the largest and most luxurious Bentley luxury car made prior to the purchase of the marque by Rolls-Royce. It used a massive 8 L (7983 cc/487 in³) straight-6 engine and rode on a long 144 in (3658 mm) or longer 156 in (3962 mm) wheelbase, making it the largest car produced in the United Kingdom up to that time.

The car was conceived similarly to the Bugatti Royale — as a halo car to vault the maker into position as the supreme maker of luxury cars in the world. However, like the Bugatti, the 8 Litre Bentley failed to sell in sufficient numbers to make a profit. Priced at £1,850 for the chassis only, it was an exclusive and pricey vehicle.

Only 100 of these cars were produced and they are much sought after by collectors. Two were modified by McKenzie, who modified the engines and lowered the chassis; one was recently sold by a London dealer, and the other is believed to be in India.