2020 Bentley Flying Spur

Bentley Flying Spur 2019 review

Should I buy one?

Most telling is how you feel when you’ve been driving for hours. Of course, the Spur is superbly comfortable. Adjust the seats properly to begin and you simply stop thinking whether they suit you. They just do. At times, when twists or the narrowness of the road have called for extra concentration, you’ll have enjoyed the car’s power and precision. And you’ll keep being surprised how well it fits into gaps and negotiates tight corners. But mostly, your journey just slips quietly, enjoyably away. There’s no memory of fatigue, or of awkward size.

The Bentley Flying Spur just works. Question: is there another luxury saloon that does this stuff better? We’ll have to find out.

Bentley Flying Spur specification

Where Monaco Price £168,300 On sale February Engine W12, 5950cc, twin-turbocharged petrol Power 626bhp at 6000rpm Torque 664lb ft at 1350-4500rpm Gearbox 8-spd twin clutch automatic Kerb weight 2437kg Top speed 207mph 0-62mph 3.7sec Fuel economy no WLTP figure available CO2 no WLTP figure available Rivals Mercedes AMG S65, Rolls-Royce Ghost


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DRIVEN: Bentley Flying Spur

And yet, Bentley claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 3,8 seconds for the Flying Spur. Offering rear-wheel steering that effectively shortens the car’s wheelbase for improved low-speed manoeuvrability, at speeds of more than 100 km/h these wheels turn in the same direction as the front in order to provide improved precision and agility. Combined with an electrically controlled clutch-based all-wheel-drive system able to send torque to the front wheels as required, as well as torque vectoring and a dynamic ride system (including three-chamber air springs), the biggest compliment I can pay this 5 316-metre car designed ostensibly around passenger comfort is that, from the driver’s seat, it’s easy to forget just how much opulence is trailing behind you.

While I'd opt for the optional Blackline package that replaces some of the ornate chrome work (including the grille and ornament), I appreciate that the new Bentley Flying Spur offers enough glamour and effortless refinement to place above the likes of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series in terms of presence, yet isn’t as grandiose or imposing as a Rolls-Royce.

FAST FACTS

Model: Bentley Flying Spur
Price: TBC
Engine: 6,0-litre, W12, twin-turbocharged
Power: 467 kW @ 6 000 r/min
Torque: 900 N.m @ 1 350 - 4 500 r/min
0-100 km/h: 3,8 seconds
Top Speed: 333 km/h
Fuel Consumption: 14,8 L/100 km
CO2: 337 g/km
Transmission: 8-spd dual clutch
Maintenance Plan: Five-year/75 000 km

 
New Bentley Flying Spur: SA pricing for W12-powered sedan announced

We recently spent some time behind the wheel of the new Bentley Flying Spur in Monaco. And now we can share pricing for the third-generation verison of the Crewe-based firm’s luxury sedan.

Revealed in June 2019 and set to become available in South Africa from the second quarter of 2020, the new Flying Spur will be priced from R3 750 000.

As a reminder, power comes from an “enhanced” version of Bentley’s twin-turbo 6,0-litre W12, mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission (the same unit used by the latest Continental GT).

In its latest state of tune, the 12-cylinder powerplant offers 467 kW and 900 N.m (as it does in the Bentayga Speed), resulting in a sprint from standstill to three figures in a claimed 3,7 seconds. Top speed, meanwhile, is listed as 333 km/h.

 
Bentley Flying Spur Pricing For South Africa

Bentley revealed the all-new Flying Spur in June this year as the fastest production sedan but when will we see it locally and how much will it cost?

The luxury sedan is set to arrive in South Africa in the second quarter of next year with a starting price of R3,750,000.

 
Bentley rolls out augmented-reality app for new Flying Spur

Users can experience virtual tours of ‘luxury’ and ‘performance’ specs of the Spur and even take it for a simulated drive

Bentley has introduced an app for its third-generation Flying Spur that allows users to virtually experience the luxury sports saloon ahead of first deliveries in early 2020.

The app, which is free to download on Google Play and Apple's App Store, is targeted at prospective customers. However, Bentley also anticipates that it will appeal to enthusiasts and fans of the brand.

Users can explore the outside and interior of two versions of the car, once they are logged into the app: the luxury spec, which features a gun-metal exterior and bespoke interior linings; and the more driver-focused chrome ‘performance’ version. The performance variant can also be toured with a recently added black accent.


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Bentley takes aim at Mercedes-Maybach (and AMG) with new Flying Spur

Bentley says its new Flying Spur will rival both the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and the AMG-badged versions of the German saloon.

According to Automotive News Europe, the British firm believes its new Flying Spur offers both “more luxury” than the Maybach and “more sporting prowess” than the flagship AMG version.

Revealed in June 2019 and set to become available in South Africa from the second quarter of 2020, the new Flying Spur will be priced from R3 750 000. Power comes from an “enhanced” version of Bentley’s twin-turbo 6,0-litre W12, mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission.

In its latest state of tune, the 12-cylinder powerplant offers 467 kW and 900 N.m (as it does in the Bentayga Speed), resulting in a sprint from standstill to three figures in a claimed 3,7 seconds. Top speed, meanwhile, is listed as 333 km/h. With the Mulsanne set to go out of production, the Flying Spur is now considering the flagship of Bentley’s range.

 
Flying Spur to Rival AMG S65

Bentley to remain committed to 12-cylinders.

VW’s British business is keen to retain a presence in the limousine market, with high-performance four-door models.

Although Bentley has been forced to recognise that the traditional limousine market is shrinking, it believes that the margins on offer are still attractive.

With its new Flying Spur, Bentley also believes that it offers a combination of performance and luxury which is unrivalled.

Mercedes-Benz has proven that customers can still be enticed to remain in limousines, instead of ultra-luxury SUVs, with its S-Class AMG models. Adding the dramatic performance potential of AMG’s engineering enhancements has made S-Class marketable to a much broader customer profile.

Bentley’s strategy with the Flying Spur is to offer tailored luxury trim and individualisation, comparable to a Maybach, but with much greater driveability and performance.

To that end its Flying Spur is powered by a 6-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, boosting 467 kW and 900 Nm, numbers which compare very closely with the Mercedes/AMG V12 engine. Bentley claims that its new Flying Spur limousine is good for 0-100 kph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 333 kph.

 
SPOTTED | Bentley's new Flying Spur posing around in Franschhoek ahead of its local launch

Franschhoek is known for a lot of things. The beautiful mountain ranges, the town with its timeless character, the infamous pass, and stately cars like a Bentley.

Bentley? Yes, a slew of Flying Spurs, mind you!

The new Bentley Flying Spur was launched internationally sometime in 2019 and, while only a few media representatives attended the event, the local motoring fraternity was in a buzz over this new model.

Come 2020 and a few of these machines were spotted in Franschhoek by Create by Chawe’s Cayne Philander.


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Bentley Flying Spur 2020 UK review

Should I buy one?

Despite the pretensions of Mercedes and BMW, the Bentley Flying Spur has few natural size/price rivals. Rolls-Royce had deliberately priced its models higher than the Crewe company in grounds of rarity, and we’ll have to see the forthcoming Ghost saloon before knowing if it moves into Bentley’s realm. If it doesn’t, pricey though it is the Bentley Flying Spur will have an enhanced air of practicality and — dare I say this? — affordability. Value, too, is a qualifier for any Best Car In The World.

So does it justify that label? Another cop-out coming, I’m afraid. We’re already calling this Bentley a four-and-a-half star car, and it may very well justify five. But a final decision on that accolade must await our full road test. But what we have here is certainly an exceptionally strong candidate.

Bentley Flying Spur specification

Where Gloucester, UK Price £168,300 On sale now Engine W12, 5950cc, twin turbo petrol Power 626bhp at 6000rpm Torque 664lb ft at 1350-4500rpm Gearbox 8-spd twin clutch autonmatic Kerb weight 2437kg Top speed 207mph 0-62mph 3.7sec Fuel economy no WLTP data CO2 no WLTP data Rivals Mercedes AMG S65, Rolls-Royce Ghost


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