Bentley Flying Spur update delivers new 'S' model
Overhauled four-door gets a new look to bring it in line with Continental GT
Bentley has updated the four-door Flying Spur, tweaking its flagship saloon to bring the styling more in line with the Continental GT. While this clearly makes sense from a design perspective, there’s an additional significance for Bentley, with the latest Spur being the first time that single lights have featured up front since 1962. Previous versions, plus classics like the Mulsanne, Arnage and Turbo, have all featured a dual arrangement.
So it’s sort of a big deal, though the end result does look exactly as would have been expected for what is the four-door GT. The grille is now part of the front bumper, the boot lid and lights are ever so slightly different and the choice of 22-inch wheels is fresh. Anyone who noticed the demise of the wing vent detail, substituted for a ‘a smooth, clean front wing with badging denoted behind the front wheel’, should probably apply for a job at Crewe.
This update for the Spur is additionally notable for the return of the S model (to sit alongside the High Performance and Ultra Performance V8 hybrid models). As with the two-door version, the four-door S takes the 680hp powertrain and combines it with lots of the good stuff from the 782hp Speed. So that means the Bentley Performance Active Chassis, Bentley Dynamic Ride and a new calibration of ESC is included, as well as a darker, moodier aesthetic. It’s been sufficiently long since the last Flying Spur S that this new one is 130hp more powerful than the last one; 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 191mph.
And opting for the S (probably a wise course of action) is really just the start for speccing a Spur. This latest version introduces Dark Teal to the colour palette, five different seat choices and omething called the Virtuoso collection, which introduces Champagne Gold detailing, unique embroidery and ‘refined’ materials. All the Virtuoso cars get the Naim for Mulliner audio system, too, which is available separately on all models as well.
Given it was designed for the Batur originally and costs £25k, the Naim upgrade probably warrants more than just a mention. It promises ‘Bentley’s most immersive audio experience to date’, which is some claim given the bar set to date. The setup comprises 21 speakers derived from Focal’s Grand Utopia speakers, boasting ‘remarkable fidelity and enhanced frequency response.’ Probably an option box that’ll be ticked a fair bit, that one.
Bentley says that production of the latest Flying Spur will kick-off at Crewe in September, with first deliveries before the year is out. Expect prices to rise a little compared to before, where the 680hp car started at just under £200k and the Speed slotted in below £250,000 - the S should split the difference. Perfect time to pounce on a used one perhaps, especially if you prefer the more trad Bentley look of twin lights up front - this fetching brown Speed is £185k.
Agree with Green and tan above but I'd love a red one!
I don't understand why the radar cruise looks "shoved" in the grille when on previous versions of this generation of Spur and current or very recent Audis, the radar cruise is situated low in the bumper. Was it a reliability issue?
"Can you take a picture of a mark 3 cortina 2000E in dark green and scale it up by 50 percent and modernise it, make it more luxurious and modern looking", getting there...
No disrespect to the Bentley, its epic, and its not a bad thing but it does remind me every time of a massive, posh, MK3 Cortina 2000E, thought its channelled a bit much Chrysler 300C as well here.
Agree with Green and tan above but I'd love a red one!
I don't understand why the radar cruise looks "shoved" in the grille when on previous versions of this generation of Spur and current or very recent Audis, the radar cruise is situated low in the bumper. Was it a reliability issue?
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