New Bentley Flying Spur is a 771-bhp hybrid V8 super limo

The Flying Spur has lost its party piece W12 engine. But with greater power, performance, and efficiency, the numbers certainly haven’t suffered. Get to grips with Bentley’s fastest saloon ever, below.

Whether it’s got a three-pointed star, a three-pronged trident, or a flying B on its bonnet, no marque or model is safe from the mass downsizing movement. While cars’ external dimensions continue to balloon, we’ve seen their engine capacities shrink and cylinders being sawn-off left, right, and centre to appease tightening emissions targets.  

Bentley’s ultra-opulent, 5.3m-long Flying Spur, is the latest victim. That’s right, after over two decades of service in a veritable slew of VW group vehicles, the firm’s fabled 6.0-litre W12 has bellowed its last baritone note. So, what have they replaced it with? Keep reading to find out.  

Out with the old: The Flying Spur’s new electrified engine

Nestled beneath that impossibly long bonnet now sits the Continental GT’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, aided by a potent electric motor strapped to the gearbox. On its own the new eight pot is responsible for an impressive 592 bhp — not far shy of the old W12’s 626-bhp output. However, it’s the added electric boost that swings things in the V8’s favour: adding an extra 187 bhp from a 25.9kWh battery. The Flying Spur is even capable of up to 47 miles of pure electric travel. 

Plant your foot deep into the plush carpets and the ‘Spur will whisk you from rest to 60 mph in an unnervingly short 3.3 seconds. With 771 bhp on tap, it’s obviously brisk, but Bentley argues it’s more frugal too. Adding an electric motor has allowed the engineers at Crewe to fit more efficient turbos and raise the fuel injection pressure for cleaner combustion. As a result, Bentley touts a combined total driving range of 515 miles — highly impressive for a 2.5-tonne luxo-barge.  

A sharper chassis: The Flying Spur’s handling upgrades 

While historically you’d buy a Bentley saloon to be chauffeured around in cosseting luxury, with the new Flying Spur the brand has pulled out all the stops to ensure its just as enjoyable when you take the wheel.  

Bentley’s Performance Active Chassis comes as standard on all Speed models, offering Dynamic Ride and all-wheel steering, as well as an electronic limited slip differential to filter the enormous 738 lb ft of torque to the tarmac.  

Moreover, new twin-valve dampers keep the body composed and level during aggressive cornering, while the stability control has been retuned to capitalise on the improved weight distribution. 

A gentle evolution: Has the Flying Spur’s styling changed? 

It might look like Bentley’s designers got a bit carried away with the copy/paste function, but true aficionados will spot some subtle styling tweaks over the outgoing car. New ten-spoke 22” wheels shod with Pirelli tyres, are probably the most obvious addition. There’s also a slightly restyled front end, with new air inlets and a rear diffuser for the Speed models. 

However, we can forgive Bentley for playing it safe with the exterior when the interior is this jaw-dropping. As always, ‘customers have tens of billions of configuration possibilities to select from’, but that’s just the start. All new seat designs feature 3D diamond quilting that extends all the way up the doors and over the B pillar. There’s also a new dark chrome finish adorning all the metallic accents, touchpoints, and speaker grilles. 

And the cherry on top? That’d be the stunningly powerful sound system options. In most cars a 10-speaker, 650-watt stereo would be considered a high-end upgrade, but here that’s the ‘basic’ spec. Splash a little more cash, and you’ll get a Bang and Olufsen unit with no fewer than 16-speakers and an ear-splitting 1500 watts of power. But, for true audiophiles, only the top-tier, Naim audio will suffice. With 22-speakers and 2,200 watts, this crème de la crème setup is not only the best fitted to a Bentley, but surely any car ever. 

Object of desire: How much does the new Flying Spur cost? 

Like a road-going Concorde, the new Bentley Flying Spur looks to be the last word in fast, serene, luxurious travel. And whether you’re at 60,000 feet, or a little closer to terra firma, such seats seldom come cheaply.  

While Bentley has yet to confirm the exact numbers, the new Flying Spur will likely command a £220,000 price tag – and that’s before you start ticking extra boxes in the online configurator. If that’s a bill you’d be happy to foot, first deliveries are set to land before the year is out.  

Dynamically, this new Bentley runs rings around its predecessor, but do you think buyers will miss the old W12? Let us know which luxurious super saloon gets your vote.

Hero image credit:  Bentley