Bentley will build the big, powerful 12-cylinder engines for its own cars as well as VW’s other premium brands, such as Audi, in a boost to UK manufacturing that will create 100 new jobs.

Extra demand from Audi and VW for the 12-cylinder unit will push engine production up to 9,000 a year at Crewe and create an extra 100 jobs at the Cheshire plant, the company said.