Bentley Flying Spur V8 review, test drive

So the difference is really all about what lies under the hood. Don’t think of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as a poor cousin of the W12. Sure, its 500bhp and 66.kgm of torque is lower than the W12's, but this motor is designed to be quick on the uptake. The Flying Spur V8 feels most at home on the motor way. At a steady 110kph, the Flying Spur is remarkably serene. The engine turns over lazily as the ZF gearbox sits in eighth gear. Flex your right foot and the pace changes in a languid yet determined fashion. In the normal D-mode, the gearbox is smooth and unhurried, so when you are in a hurry, it's the Sport mode’s tendency to hold a lower gear that proves more satisfying. While the V8 won’t be as effortless at all speeds as the W12, its healthy performance along with the ability to stretch the miles between full tanks of premium unleaded makes it the better all rounder.

From behind the wheel, the Flying Spur’s width requires some care on narrow roads. But as the speeds rise and the roads open up, this Bentley feels lighter on its feet than you would expect. It is poised cruising down highways and pleasant to steer around the more winding stretches of tarmac. The all-wheel-drive system increases the amount of grip that can be clawed out from the 19-inchers at all four corners. The brakes though could do with a bit more bite as the near 2.5 tonne weight of this sedan is quite evident when dropping the anchors. The hydraulic steering weighs up at higher speeds and connects you to the front wheels in a positive manner that is never overly sporty and at lower speeds, it is effortless too. However, the air-springs never quite get the same degree of adjustability over its four stage settings. The lack of pliancy to absorb the bumps and potholes at city speeds is the Flying Spur’s biggest shortcoming. Of the four settings, the firmest one feels the most consistent in the way it rides at high and low speeds. 

The Flying Spur is an opulent and grand device to cover distances in. The relatively frugal V8 engine adds a more practical edge to its appeal without sacrificing much on the ability to speed through vast distances without breaking a sweat. However, this Bentley falls short in its ability to deliver the right mix of an engaging and luxurious experience. In comparison with the new crop of machines from Mercedes, Jaguar and Land Rover, the Bentley’s shortcomings are stark, especially as it sits a rung or two above in price.