Bentley’s at it again, folks! And this time, they’re not holding back. The new Flying Spur has landed, and let’s just say, it’s not here to ask politely — it’s here to steal the show.
What’s the big news, you ask? Well, Bentley’s said goodbye to their iconic W12 engine, swapping it out for a cleaner, meaner, and greener electrified powertrain. Yes, the same one that powers the beefy Continental GT. But make no mistake, this isn’t just an engine transplant; it’s a full-blown evolution.
The heart of the new Flying Spur is a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with some plug-in hybrid magic sprinkled on top. Together, they churn out a mind-boggling 782 bhp, which, by the way, is 147 bhp more than the retired W12 ever managed. And if you thought torque was just a fancy word for car nerds to throw around, hold onto your hat — this beast packs 102 kgm of it. That’s enough to peel your face off when you floor it from 0-100 kph in just 3.5 seconds. Oh, and did we mention it’s got an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission? Smooth as silk.
With a 25.9 kWh battery, this flying fortress offers an electric-only range of 76km. You can zip along at 140 kph without burning a drop of fuel. Need to juice up? No worries — it’ll recharge in under 3 hours, given you’ve got access to 11 kW peak charging. Bentley’s thrown in their Performance Active Chassis too, along with Dynamic Ride and all-wheel steering, making this luxury liner a force to be reckoned with, whether you’re cruising on highways or swerving through tight city lanes.
Bentley has kept things classy, of course. On the outside, they’ve made some subtle yet purposeful tweaks—larger grille, spruced-up bumpers, a new rear diffuser, and don’t miss those fresh 22-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it’s an absolute lap of luxury. We’re talking diamond quilting on seats, 3D diamond hide on doors, and Bentley’s Wellness seating system that adjusts posture and controls climate for all four seats.
But wait, there’s more. Bentley’s famous Rotating Display is still a showstopper, letting you switch between a 12.3-inch touchscreen, analogue dials, or a smooth slab of hand-finished veneer. And the sound? Standard issue is a 10-speaker, 650W setup, but if you fancy yourself an audiophile, throw in the optional Naim 2200W, 19-speaker sound system with Active Bass Transducers.
For the Bentley faithful in India, the new Flying Spur should glide onto the scene sometime next year. Expect to dig deeper into your pockets, though. It’s likely to come with a heftier price tag than its predecessor, which is par for the course with something this monumental. As for competition? The Flying Spur squares off against the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.