Bentley has revealed the third-generation of its Rolls-Royce Ghost rival, the Flying Spur. As per the company, the new car represents a quantum leap in technology, performance and innovation over its predecessor.
Bentley also claims that the new Flying Spur owes only its name to its predecessor, alluding to its new chassis, suspension, W12 engine and 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Much of the new Flying Spur’s setup and componentry is shared with the Continental GT that was revealed back in 2017.
However, despite the Flying Spur and Continental’s identical underpinnings – including the MSB platform that is also shared with Porsche’s Panamera – Bentley has sought to differentiate the two cars not only through the difference in body shape but also a number of finer design details both inside and out.
The Flying Spur will initially be available with a reworked version of the brand’s 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 motor that's good for 635hp and 900Nm of torque. The engine combines high-pressure and low-pressure fuel injection intended to maximise refinement, lower particulate emissions and optimise power and torque delivery. The unit also comes with cylinder deactivation technology allowing it to shut down half the cylinders, thus making it more efficient below 3,000rpm.
The engine is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that promises to deliver smooth and refined acceleration, quicker gearshifts and improved fuel economy. Bentley also claims a 0-100kph time of 3.8sec and a top speed of 333kph.
Apart from the range-topping W12, the Flying Spur will also get the option of an entry-level V8 model and a V6 petrol-powered plug-in hybrid version – the second Bentley hybrid following the Bentayga Hybrid.
The Flying Spur pioneers all-wheel steering for Bentley, a system that is said to enhance stability at high speeds and manoeuvrability. The rear wheels are steered in the opposite direction to the front wheels at low speeds, reducing the turning circle and making parking easier. At higher speeds, the rear wheels stay in the same direction as the front wheels to improve stability.
The new Flying Spur also gets an active all-wheel-drive system that favours rear-wheel drive to improve the car’s handling but also sends torque to the front axle automatically when needed. The amount of torque sent to the front axle varies depending on the drive mode. The car also has a torque-vectoring-by-brake system.
Compared to its predecessor, the Flying Spur gets a longer wheelbase –the front wheels move forward by 130mm – but its overall proportions are similar to the outgoing car.
While the outgoing model and the new Continental have a matrix grille, the new Flying Spur adds veins to the grille to pay homage to WO Bentley’s 8 Litre model from 1930. The matrix remains behind the veins for cooling purposes.
The Flying B mascot also has been redesigned for Bentley’s centenary year. It is the marque’s first-ever electronically powered, retracting Flying B and even gets illuminated wings.
The headlights and ‘B’ graphic tail-lights have the same crystal-cut-effect LEDs as on the Continental. Standard wheels are 21-inch, but 22-inch Mulliner rims – the biggest yet on a Flying Spur – are available.
Inside, there's the familiar double-wing theme in the front, and the well-received rotating display with the 12.3-inch touchscreen first launched on the Continental. The second side of the display has three customisable digital dials and the third side gets the wood veneer seen around the cabin.
The central console is different from the Continental's, featuring two air vents with optional diamond-cut edges sitting between a clock, wireless charging capability, USB ports and more compartments.
Bentley’s newly designed detachable, magnetic tablet enables rear passengers to control mood lights, media features, vehicle information, massage functionality and the deployment of the Flying B ornament.
The Flying Spur introduces all-new quilting in the door card, which features three-dimensional, textured leather upholstery that was inspired by the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept and is claimed to be a world-first. The seats have optional 'cathedral window quilting', a progression of the diamond quilting in the Continental that is intended to differentiate the two Bentleys.
In India, Bentley currently sells the Bentayga, the Mulsanne in standard and long-wheelbase forms, and the new Continental GT. There is no news on when the carmaker will bring the new Flying Spur to India.
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