Bentley hints at Flying Spur replacement

Expect a bigger fuss to be made of the bigger GT this time around. Just don't call it that...

With the latest GT finally on the cusp of its global launch (and by 'global' we mean North America) Bentley has some spare time to consider the next item up its sleeve. Cue the first glimpse of "an all-new four-door Grand Tourer" - or the Flying Spur, as it's otherwise known.

Whether or not the model in question will actually retain that name remains to be seen. Bentley doesn't seem entirely sure itself given its preference for writing "all-new four-door Grand Tourer" everywhere (although using www.newflyingspur.com as the place for registering your interest seems fairly emphatic).

The model's name has always been a slightly thorny issue for the brand. Bentley fans will recall that it was originally dubbed the Continental Flying Spur on the basis that it is (and was) a literal four-door version of the GT - until it realised that the association wasn't doing it any particular favours in the marketplace.

Its replacement will be closely related to the new GT as well, although - on the basis of lessons learnt - Bentley will be working overtime to differentiate between the two, making a new name entirely possible. Certainly the profile of he-who-must-not-be-named seems swish enough from the rendering; much more so than the staid model it replaces.

Added to the list of things we don't know yet is pretty much everything else, although you can expect the manufacturer's current W12, V8 lineup to fill out the engine bay - along with the plug-in hybrid option that currently features in the Bentayga. (Or theoretically features, at any rate - you can't currently order one in this country yet.)

Expect the car to be more spacious than the model it replaces - on the basis that the GT was bigger than the car it replaced, notably in the wheelbase - and expect it to be conspicuously lovely inside, because all Bentleys are. Also anticipate it making its debut before the end of the year, when everything else will become clear.