New Bentley Flying Spur Poses For Our Spy Cameras

Bentley's new super sedan will share the same platform as the current Porsche Panamera.

After the launch of the all-new Bentley Continental GT, it’s only inevitable that a new version of its larger sedan sibling, the Flying Spur, is also in the works in what will be the model’s first redesign since it was introduced in 2005. A prototype version of the super sedan was recently spotted being put through its paces during winter testing in snowy Sweden, where it caught the attention of our spy cameras. Look closely, however, and you can see some of the tape starting to strip away, revealing the Flying Spur’s beige body.

The extensive camouflage does a good of hiding the design details, but we already have a good idea how the front end will look. It should adopt similar styling to its coupe counterpart, which will make it look a lot sportier than its predecessor. Beyond the restyled exterior, the new Flying Spur will also have significantly different underpinnings as it will share the same platform as the current Porsche Panamera, so it will also shed some weight. Reserved for the group's luxury sports sedans, the MSB-F platform also supports electrification and autonomous driving systems. There’s also a good chance that the new Bentley Flying Spur won’t just share the same platform as the Panamera, but also some of its engines.

That means we can most likely expect some plug-in hybrids and diesel engines to form part of the line-up. Of course, the range-topper should retain the model’s familiar 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12. In the new Continental GT, the W12 unit delivers 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque allowing it to sprint from 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 207 mph. Expect to see the new Bentley Flying Spur debut either later this year possibly at the 2018 Paris Auto Show in October, or early 2019.

The 2017 Bentley Flying Spur V8 S Made Us Forget About The W12

Yeah, seriously. We were surprised too.

We’re interested in any car that’s big, bold and brash, and Bentleys, in general, fit that description perfectly. So imagine our delight when we were invited to check out the new 2017 Bentley Flying Spur V8 S. It’s like the "regular" V8 Flying Spur, only more powerful and featuring optimized electronic stability control, a re-calibrated damping system, and a few exterior and interior styling tweaks. Speaking of V8s, the Flying Spur V8 S is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 521 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque, with power going to all four wheels through an 8-speed slushbox.

What’s cool about this AWD system is that it has a 40/60 percent power bias to the front/rear wheels. Performance is a blistering fast 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, and top speed is 190 mph. Yes, in a 5,300-lbs sedan. Now, we previously reviewed the Flying Spur with the batsh-t crazy twin-turbo W12 and its 616 hp and 590 lb-ft of twist output.

Yes, it may hit 60 from a standstill in just 4.3 seconds and maximum speed of 199 mph, but here’s the thing: that sucker is even heavier, tipping what could also be used as an elephant scale at 6,500 lbs. Point being, weight also affects handling, and because of that huge factor alone, we think the new V8 S is the sweet spot in the Flying Spur lineup. You get all of the exuberant luxury of the W12, nearly identical performance numbers, and a better overall driving experience. Special thanks to Los Gatos Luxury Cars for letting us film the car.

Bentley Promises 2019 Flying Spur Will Be More Distinctive

This could be the last Bentley without electrification.

The Flying Spur has become a bit of a forgotten model for Bentley. In fact, Bentley only managed to sell 253 of them in all of 2017. Since being detached from the Continental name, the Flying Spur has struggled to find an identity. The Continental GT has already been completely refreshed, but we are still waiting for the next-generation Flying Spur. According to Autocar's Mark Tisshaw, a new, reinvented Flying Spur is on its way for the 2019 model year, and it will be the last Bentley launched before the company embraces electrification.

While the next generation Continental GT and Flying Spur will almost certainly have some form of hybridization, the 2019 Flying Spur will likely arrive with old school gas engines. The latest Continental GT uses a new version of the company's 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 producing 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft. There will likely be a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 model, though it has yet to be announced. If the 2019 Flying Spur doesn't have any form of electrification, we wouldn't be surprised if it shared engines with the Continental GT. Bentley is targeting models like the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S600, both of which are powered by turbocharged V12 engines.

The new Flying Spur will reportedly possess similar body styling to the new Continental GT, albeit with more distinct surfaces and sharper creases. Bentley wants to be sure this Flying Spur is easily differentiated from the Continental, so there is no longer any confusion between the two. In addition to the W12 and V8 engines, the Flying Spur may also receive a V6 plug-in hybrid drivetrain later in its life, though it likely won't arrive at the car's launch. Once the Flying Spur is completed, Bentley will focus on the next generation of its design language, which will fully embrace electrification. This Flying Spur will truly be the end of an era.

Bentley Continental GTC And New Flying Spur Caught Testing Together

Along with a Mercedes S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach.

Last September, the completely redesigned Bentley Continental GT debuted at Frankfurt. Next month at Geneva, the topless variant, the Continental GTC, will have its turn in the spotlight. Our spy photographers have just snapped pictures of the new Continental GTC out doing some final winter testing with hardly any camouflage. This makes sense considering we already know what its coupe counterpart looks like, so imaging it topless really isn’t all that hard.

At the same time, the next-generation Flying Spur was also along for the ride. Unlike the GTC, however, it had a couple of competitor benchmarks trekking along, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Mercedes-Maybach. The Flying Spur is, more or less, the sedan version of the Continental, so it does make some sense for the GTC to be present as well. Having both the S-Class and the uber luxury Maybach also there are crystal clear indicators regarding Bentley’s intentions with its upcoming new sedan. We believe we can accurately predict that it’ll share the Continental’s 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine and eight-speed ZF transmission combo.

In the big coupe, this engine produces a mighty 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, with power being sent to all four wheels. When will the new Flying Spur arrive? We’re not expecting that to happen next month, but Paris the following September is a very real possibility. Remember, Bentley is part of the Volkswagen Group, so setting its sights on two of Daimler's finest and most luxurious big sedans is a must.

Bentley Flying Spur is Now the Recipient of a V8

But don't think for a moment that it's less of a Bentley without the W12.

If, for whatever reason, you don’t want a W12-powered Flying Spur, then Bentley has a solution for you. Yes, the W12 is more powerful and unique, but not everyone requires that huge output. It’s also a very thirsty engine. So in order to make the Flying Spur as appealing to as a wide an audience as possible, Bentley is now offering it with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood. All told, this puppy produces a still mind boggling 500 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque.

That power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF auto box. Performance wise, expect a 0-62 mph time of just 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph. Bentley claims the V8 Flying Spur can be driven 520 miles on a single tank of gas, providing you drive normally. To differentiate it somewhat from the W12 car, Bentley has added unique chrome exhaust tips, black mesh front grille, and winged brand badges with a red center. 19-inch alloys are standard (20s are optional), and there are seven body colors and four interior finishes to choose from. Also standard is a single-piece rear bench seat, but that can be swapped for fully-adjustable 2+1 layout.

2018 Bentley Flying Spur Review

‘Entry level’ is hardly the phrase you’d use to describe any Bentley, so we’ll call the Flying Spur the junior Bentley sedan, sitting beneath the larger hand-built Mulsanne, if that’s any better a description. Based on the same platform as the outgoing Continental GT, the Flying Spur is an entry level sedan that costs more than most houses. Released in 2013, this second generation begs the question whether Bentleys get old, or mature like fine wine? With 2 engines available, each with two states of tune, this may truly be the Continental for the family man.

Interior

Authentic wood veneer and luxuriant leather adorn the Flying Spur’s interior, interspersed with chrome organ stop vent dampers across the dash. Center stage, there’s a Breitling analog clock – perhaps one of the only analog elements about the Flying Spur. All 4 seats in the Flying Spur’s cabin feature heating and ventilation, along with their own climate zone as standard. Front occupants get infotainment taken care of by a rather old-feeling 8-inch touch screen; whilst rear passengers get optional dual display screens, fold down tables, and Wi-Fi connectivity to keep them in the lap of luxury. Still not luxurious enough for you? How about optional, bespoke crystal champagne flutes.

Sub-segment rivals like the Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class, and BMW 7 Series may offer the same, or more toys, but lest we forget, this is a Bentley – there’s a certain ring to that the others don’t quite have.

Driving (Ride and Handling)

When in a Bentley, you don’t cruise down the street, you waft. Be it quick, slow, or anything in between, it’s always wafting – that’s the nature of a Bentley, and the Flying Spur is no different. An adjustable air suspension is standard and features 4 drive modes to ensure the right persona for any scenario – though on larger 20-inch alloys the ride can become a bit jittery and firm, even in comfort-biased modes. V8 S and W12 S models feature recalibrated suspension for sportier handling dynamics, but at the compromise of comfort. But lest we forget, even in V8 form, the Flying Spur still weighs a hefty 5,300 lbs.

In spite of the weight, the Flying Spur does a surprising job of being an adept handler. Weight aside, it’s easily as competent through twisting roads as any competitor is – and all-wheel drive assuredness with a rear-bias actually makes it feel exciting in a way a car of this size surely shouldn’t.

Performance (Engine and Transmission)

Two VW group engines find themselves a home under the hood of the Flying Spur – each twin-turbocharged and each in standard and S states of tune. A 4.0-liter V8, the same one found in the Audi RS7 boots out 500 horsepower in standard trim and 521hp in S guise, with torque at 487- and 502 lb-ft of torque respectively. The W12 is 6.0-liters in capacity with outputs of 616hp and 626hp in standard and S trims, with torque figures of 590- and 605 lb-ft. A rear-biased all-wheel drive system is standard, as is an 8-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF.

Equipment and Safety

At this level of luxury, you’d be surprised to hear that cheaper, more German competitors offer more in the way of gimmicks and tech. Nevertheless, the Flying Spur can still be optioned to feature carbon ceramic brakes, adaptive cruise control, navigation, voice control, a power trunk lid, and keyless entry and ignition. Safety kit includes ABS and stability control, though an optional package adds forward collision alert, lane keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring. The Bentley Flying Spur hasn’t been crash tested by local safety authorities.

Verdict

Here’s the thing, if you’re looking for gimmicks and the latest technology, you’ll find it all and more in cheaper alternatives. But go for one of those and you’ll never have the bragging rights associated with owning a Bentley. That’s what the Flying Spur gives you – even though it is now aging. It’s a cut above in name and reputation, and isn’t that worth it at the end of the day?

Why Does This Bentley Flying Spur Test Mule Have An Extra Fuel Cap?

Truth be told, it's a charging port.

If you assumed the Bentley Bentayga plug-in hybrid would be the only Bentley to offer this powertrain tech, then you assumed wrong. Our spy photographers caught this Bentley Flying Spur prototype doing some late winter testing and noticed something interesting about it: an extra “fuel cap” for the charging port in the left rear fender. What does this signify? A plug-in hybrid version. The next generation Flying Spur has been caught testing previously ahead of its expected late 2018 or early 2019 premiere.

It’s entirely possible the plug-in hybrid version will debut at the same time. And because Bentley is part of the Volkswagen Group, the Flying Spur plug-in hybrid will share its guts with not only the Bentayga plug-in, but also the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. This means there will be a turbocharged V6 gasoline engine paired with an electric motor. The Porsche has a combined output of 462 hp, so expect something similar in the Flying Spur. However, and this suggestion should not be ruled out, it’s also entirely possible the Flying Spur plug-in hybrid has the powertrain from Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, meaning a combined 680 hp. Why would Bentley opt for the more powerful system?

Because it may want the plug-in version to be the most powerful and expensive Flying Spur in the range. It’s also worth pointing out both the Flying Spur and Panamera share the same platform, which can be adapted for rear- and all-wheel drive. We also suspect the Bentley will be slightly longer than the Porsche, meaning the platform was designed from the get-go for some flexibility.

Bentley Flying Spur Heads to China

The Bentley Flying Spur may have a W12 engine, but for Chinese buyers the rear seats and its cushy features are the main attraction.

The new Bentley Flying Spur is quite a machine and is undoubtedly one of the finest luxury sedans in the world. Powered by a 6.0-liter W12 with 616 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, the new model dropped the "Continental" from its name, leaving that solely to its two-door counterpart. As Motor Trend feature writer Jonny Lieberman notes, it’s a good-looking sedan that comes with tons of power and plenty of amenities. Thing is, it’s being launched in China, a country where the rich prefer to be chauffeured around instead of being behind the wheel.

As such, Bentley focused a lot of attention into the layout and features of the rear passenger area and seats, such as a fridge that’s ideal for a bottle of champagne. Heck, even the upgraded audio system costs $7,500.