Bentley is today launching its first four-door supercar – the new Flying Spur, now in its fourth generation after almost two decades of defining the ultimate luxury performance sedan.
Launched initially with the performance-focused Speed, the new Flying Spur is built around Bentley’s new Ultra Performance Hybrid, endowing it with an extraordinary breadth of capabilities. At one extreme, it’s capable of serene, silent progress in pure EV mode for up to 47 miles (76 km), ideal for Zero Emission Zones or city travel, and with CO2 emissions 90% lower than the outgoing Flying Spur Speed. When more spirited driving is desired, the combined 782 PS of Bentley V8 – 147PS up on the outgoing car - and e-motor delivers sensational performance, passing the 0-60 mph benchmark in just 3.3 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.5 secs) – half a second quicker than its predecessor. Few vehicles on the planet can boast such a spread of ability; none do so with the refinement, poise or luxury as the new Flying Spur, justifying Bentley’s claim that this is its first four-door supercar.
While the exterior design largely retains the familiar, muscular yet elegant design of the third-generation Flying Spur launched in 2019, it’s beneath the skin of the car where the real changes take place – with the all-new powertrain matched with an also-new electrical architecture that brings the most modern suite of automotive technology fitted to any true luxury sedan.
Interior updates improve on the already exquisite Flying Spur cabin with new stitch options, 3D diamond hide extended to doors and pillars, and further wellness features including the intelligent air ionisation and option of automatic postural adjustment on all four seats means even more potential for limitless personalisation. Meanwhile the introduction of the My Bentley App Studio brings an array of useful applications straight to the driver’s finger tips.
Higher Performance, Lower Emissions
The Flying Spur Speed’s Ultra Performance Hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain combines an advanced 600 PS 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with a 190 PS electric motor that is neatly integrated within the eight-speed dual clutch transmission. In Sport mode this powertrain deploys a full 782 PS and 1,000 Nm, with the instant torque of the E-motor complementing the charismatic cross-plane beat of the V8. Compared with the previous Speed model, the new Flying Spur Speed delivers higher torque from lower engine speeds, higher peak torque and higher power output throughout the rev range.
System torque is increased by over 11 per cent compared to the outgoing W12-powered Flying Spur Speed, from 900 Nm to 1000 Nm (738 lb ft). System power has also increased by 19 per cent, from 659 PS to 782 PS. This makes the new Flying Spur the most powerful Bentley sedan ever created.
The new 600 PS, 800 Nm (590 lb ft) V8 engine – with no traditional vacuum system, and 350 bar fuel injection pressure (raised from 200 bar) provides cleaner combustion and improved emissions. With the e-motor negating turbo lag, twin single-scroll turbochargers have been used – which reduces complexity and allows them to run hotter, minimising emissions. Therefore, no cylinder deactivation hardware is required, as the engine can be switched off entirely when using the electric motor.
In pure EV mode, the E-motor provides 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque, more than enough to keep up with the traffic in most situations, while the 25.9 kWh battery offers up to 47 miles (76 km) of usable electric-only range (on the EU drive cycle). Together, the V8 and E-motor provide the new Flying Spur with a total range of 515 miles (829 km). Full electric mode can be deployed at speeds of up to 87 mph / 140 km/h, with throttle applications of up to 75 per cent. The battery can be fully replenished in as little as 2¾ hours thanks to significant improvements in charger and battery capacity, with 11 kW peak charging power.
The powertrain system manages the energy flows dependent upon the mode chosen – with pure EV, electric boost, regenerative braking – and, most importantly for this new Flying Spur – a charge mode, where the engine drives the wheels and charges the battery at the same time.
The Bentley Performance Active Chassis comes as standard with the Flying Spur Speed. Features of the sophisticated new setup include Bentley Dynamic Ride and All-Wheel Steering, along with an electronically-controlled Limited Slip Differential, while a new generation of ESC control software permits a range of driving styles to be accessed and provides reliable traction in all conditions. With the new car’s rear-biased weight distribution of 48.3 : 51.7, the chassis systems and ESC have a mechanically-optimised platform in which to provide the final refinement. The system uses active torque vectoring front to rear through a centre differential, and precision vectoring across each axle using the brakes.
New and advanced twin-valve dampers enable rebound and compression damping to be separately controlled, creating a clear delineation of dynamic capabilities between Comfort, Bentley and Sport modes. The body-control of the previous generation’s Sport mode is maintained, while the ride comfort in Comfort mode is significantly improved.
Expressive and Distinctive Design
The performance-oriented character of the new Flying Spur Speed is underscored by the latest design enhancements. Brightware finished in dark tint gives the exterior a sporty, technical feel, while the new Speed-specific grille, front bumper and rear diffuser create a fresh, purposeful look. The Styling Specification aero package is now finished in body colour, though owners can alternatively opt for a carbon fibre finish.
New LED Welcome Lamps housed in the doors project an animated version of the Bentley Wings logo onto the ground whenever the front doors are opened. This new deployment of Bentley’s “light sculpture” technology follows on from its first application in the coachbuilt Batur coupe by Mulliner.
A new 22” Ten Swept Spoke wheel is available in two finishes (Grey Painted and Bright Machined, and Black Painted), along with two other 22” designs available in an array of painted, Black Painted, Dark Tint and Pale Brodgar Satin finishes.
Inside the spacious cabin, occupants enjoy the latest expression of Bentley’s renowned design and handcraftsmanship, with all-new seat designs that feature 3D diamond quilting and a revised perforation pattern in the seat’s centre section. Tactile Precision 3D diamond hide clothes the door inners and B Pillars. Complementing the exterior dark-tine brightware, the new (and optional) Dark Chrome Specification trim provides a contemporary aesthetic and gives an understated character to the cabin. This applies to door handles, switches, speaker grilles and many other areas around the cabin. New driver instrumentation graphics complete the package of design enhancements, while the acclaimed Bentley Rotating Display with its choice of 12.3” high-definition display, three analogue dials, or an unbroken side of handcrafted veneer continues to be offered as an option.
Customers continue to have tens of billions of configuration possibilities to select from – before the infinite realm of possibility provided by Bentley’s bespoke and coachbuilding division, Mulliner. The ability for a customer to specify a totally unique Flying Spur, matched to their tastes and personality, highlights the car’s ability to deliver the power of the possible.
A paint range of 101 colours can be expanded to any colour from Bentley’s past, and bespoke paint-matching is also available. For the interior, 22 primary hide colours, 11 secondary shades and four colour splits mean that in the leather alone there are more than 700 colour combinations, before adding contrast stitching, piping or bespoke features. The leathers are joined by eight wood veneer options and a further three technical finishes – which can be utilised as single or dual finishes, and can also be paint matched to any interior hide or exterior paint colours.
A choice of three audio systems is offered in the new Flying Spur. The standard system features 10 speakers and 650 Watts, while a Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles is aimed at lifestyle-oriented customers. A Naim 2,200 W, 19-speaker system with Active Bass Transducers built into the front seats and eight sound modes is offered for the true audiophile. Laminated acoustic glass is retained for the windscreen and side windows, resulting in a nine-decibel reduction in exterior noise versus non-acoustic glazing.
Convenience, Wellness and Safety
The fourth-generation Flying Spur Speed benefits from the latest iteration of electrical architecture, enabling a significant step forward in infotainment and driver assistance technology. The result is a seamless experience in terms of wellness, driver assistance, infotainment systems and connected car services.
For the first time with Flying Spur, the optional Wellness Seating Specification is now available on all four seats. This includes Seat Auto Climate and Postural Adjust, which measures and maintains the perfect body temperature via zoned heating and ventilation, and soothingly and seamlessly varies the pressure on the occupants’ muscles throughout their journey to ensure fatigue is minimised.
The environment display (shown in the driver’s instrument panel) supports and enables driving in semi-assisted mode, showing the driver how the car is responding to other vehicles. The vehicle’s understanding of the surrounding environment allows for Intelligent Park Assist – the latest generation self-parking system with speed control.
The wellness and comfort of driver and passengers is further enhanced by an air conditioning system that now includes air ionisers, a new particulate matter filter and displays showing air quality outside and inside the vehicle. The system also synchronises with the car’s satellite navigation, knowing when it might be necessary to improve cabin air quality (for example by recirculating the cabin air when in a tunnel).
Improvements have been made with essential features such as wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and over-the-air map updates. Beyond these features, customers who choose to pair their mobile phone will enjoy connected car services, including:
· Remote charging status, allowing monitoring and control of vehicle charging when plugged-in
· Remote Park Assist – enabling the possibility for a customer to park or summon their vehicle remotely from their phone
· Remote cabin pre-conditioning – ensuring the climate in the car is set before a drive starts, including seat heating
Each year further new features will be available, such as green traffic light prediction – which is increasingly activated in major cities in the US and Europe and allows a “magic carpet” drive through the city centre.
The new My Bentley App Studio is the latest addition to Bentley’s digital ecosystem for customers. Customers can gain access to a wide variety of vehicle and third-party applications which can be downloaded directly to the infotainment system, independent of a smartphone. Applications include music, video, gaming, navigation, parking and charging. The applications are seamlessly implemented in the infotainment system and can be used safely and reliably even whilst driving. The application portfolio is adapted specifically to each market.
Spur of The Moment
To celebrate the launch of the new Flying Spur, Bentley teamed up with icons from the world of motorsport – both young and old. 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill is joined by rising star and Williams F1 Academy driver Lia Block in a dynamic display of the car’s abilities on-track, with a surprise cameo at the close of the film by fellow F1 alumnus and now broadcasting legend Martin Brundle – who arrives in the Bentley EXP Speed 8 that he drove for Bentley at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2001.
