New Bentley Flying Spur Review!
The new Bentley Flying Spur is positively bristling with sense of occasion, exquisite in its rich detailing and sumptuously luxurious interior, and wonderfully dynamic and involving to drive.
The new Flying Spur’s elegant and muscular contours are a wonderful illustration of something Bentley has always done so well, namely to combine prestige and stately styling with dynamic lines that hint as much at the car’s sporting pedigree and astonishing performance as they do at its supreme luxury.
The Flying Spur’s curvaceous front nose is positively bristling with sense of occasion, the grille’s glinting mesh being only outshone by those stunning cut-crystal effect front headlights, twinkling to produce all the hues of a thousand prisms. One could admire them all day, not least for their tastefully choreographed gradual illumination sequence at night.
The new Flying Spur brings something new to the party however, a touch that adds so much more to the car’s stately appearance that one might imagine - an electronically retractable ‘Flying B’ bonnet emblem, which in true Bentley style, is illuminated with cut crystal wings to match the headlights. It is in details like this that Bentley excels, the entire car oozing in fine and considered styling cues which combine to create an effect which is so much greater than the sum of its parts.
Although the Flying Spur name dates back to 1957, in terms of Bentley’s recent history the car is now in its third generation, and although clearly related to its stunning Continental GT sibling, now sits as independently in the range as the Bentayga or Mulsanne. Appearance-wise, this is perhaps most evident in the car’s distinctive rear end, as the powerful rear haunches simultaneously lower the car’s stance and add purpose, tapering around to the elegant and minimalistic rear. The Flying Spur’s rear wing panel is actually the largest superformed surface in the automotive industry, and is testament to the lengths that Bentley will go to in the pursuit of innovative design.
My press car was a show-stopper finished in First Edition specification with Bespoke Division Mulliner upgrades such as the dazzling 22” diamond-cut wheels. The Flying Spur’s traditional chrome bright-work was finished in gloss black, which contrasting against the shimmering silver paintwork gave the car an incredibly striking appearance that prompted admiring glances and commentary from passers by.
As is the case with all Bentleys, the Flying Spur is rich in detail both inside and out. The air vents in the front wings for example have been fashioned into the shape of the Bentley ‘B’ badge, the jewellery within the rear light lenses mimics the crystal effect of the front headlights, while the paintwork is polished to such a degree that the finish is glass-like.
However, for all of the drama of the car’s exterior, it is the sumptuously luxurious and exquisitely appointed interior that truly illustrates the relentless attention to detail that Bentley is famous for.
Polished brightwork and knurled metal buttons and controls sparkle like diamonds as they reflect on the highly polished wooden inlays, of which no less than 15 different finishes are available, including 7 dual two-tone veneers.
The elegant central front air vent surround features no less than 5,331 diamond facets machined into the highly polished metal, requiring a new software algorithm to navigate the complex shapes involved.
Bentley is known for its diamond quilted leather interiors, and even diamond-in-diamond stitching, however it is a pleasure to see that the company continues to push the boundaries of innovation with the latest 3D diamond leather inlays of the Flying Spur’s door cars, a first in the industry.
The Flying Spur’s spacious interior is bathed in natural light courtesy of the double panoramic glass roof, which can be covered via supremely soft and tactile alcantara screens (available in 15 colours) at the touch of a button. With a wheel-base that is 130mm longer than its predecessor, the new Flying Spur has also acres of leg-room with ample space to recline the sumptuously soft rear leather seats on long journeys.
As well as traditional styling touches such as the beautifully knurled and damped organ stops to control the air vents, the wonderful trio of analogue dials that appear on the third rotation of the centre console display, and the elegant dash-mounted clock that has become synonymous with the brand, the new Flying Spur also boasts the very latest in car technology.
Up front, the central rotating 12.3” touch-screen can be used to control all of the car’s main features and infotainment, from the settings of the retractable Flying B bonnet mascot and interior ambient lighting to satellite navigation and internet connectivity. The detachable rear iPad-style screens behind the front seats offer similar control over the car’s infotainment features.
Night vision, Bentley Safeguard Plus, adaptive cruise control, and a heads-up display are just some examples of the technology on board to ensure that every Bentley journey is as safe and relaxing as possible.
The Bentley Flying Spur is true to its namesake, as it is not only as luxurious as a superyacht, but astonishingly fast and more importantly, dynamic and involving to drive. The car’s 626bhp 6.0 litre W12 engine dismisses the 60mph milestone in a mere 3.7 seconds, and powers the car onto a 207mph top-speed that not so long ago was a challenge for the world’s fastest supercars.
The car has four driving modes, each of which offers a slightly different combination of variable driving characteristics such as throttle response, air suspension settings and sound. Comfort is perfect for long motorway journeys while I spent the remainder of my time in Bentley mode, which given how well this car has been configured seemed the obvious choice!
With four-wheel drive, traction off the line is excellent, accompanied by a thunderous roar from the rear exhausts, while on the move, the car’s four-wheel steering, a first for the brand, adds a dynamic edge and reduced turning circle. 48V anti-roll bar wizardry courtesy of Bentley’s new Dynamic Ride system ensures that the car remains flat and plated through your favourite B-road corners, and all-in, the Flying Spur is bewilderingly enjoyable to drive for a car that weighs almost 2.5 tonnes and is packed with 5.3 metres of luxury.
The Flying Spur is an incredibly enjoyable car to own and drive, from the theatre of simply pressing the unlock button and watching the cut-crystal headlights gradually illuminate and the Flying B mascot rise from the bonnet, to the sense of well-being and supreme luxury inside, through to the dynamic drive and astonishing performance, this is a car that not only deserves to wear the Bentley badge, but enhances its prestige so accomplished is this luxury saloon.
Words & Photography by Robert Kierans
Photographs edited by Dennis Keane (denniskeane.myportfolio.com/recent)
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Comments (9)
A luxury sedan for the driver
I love Bentleys.
I really enjoyed your write up. Thank you.
The interior looks like a place I would like to be. The exterior is yummy. I like this car. My income will never support something like this but one can dream.
Thank you David!
I love it however it would prefer a darker interior. Looks so much more purposeful than its predecessors.
I’d hate to drive it. My life would always seem a little greyer afterwards.