Mega barges have been a bit of a feature the last few days on PH. No bad thing there - we like a ludicrously powerful limo, especially ones that
depreciate like stones
and present interesting temptations in the classifieds once their money-to-burn original owners have lost interest.
Fast four-seaters are going to be a bit of a feature at this year's Geneva show, ranging from eccentric in the shape of the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso to the (all things relative) mainstream BMW M760Li xDrive and Alpina's own mega 7 Series.
If you're patriotic type and keen to buy British fear not because Bentley is also joining the fast four-door fray with a newly updated Flying Spur V8 S, a car it describes as 'the sporting side of luxury'. As with the Continental GT range, the V8 S offers a more gregarious alternative to the 'entry level' V8 model, the Audi-derived 'inside out' 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 tickled from the standard 507hp and 487lb ft to 528hp and 502lb ft. Interestingly that lags behind the 605hp and overboost enhanced 553lb ft unleashed by Audi from the same motor in its
S8 Plus
. The answer to that (arguably pointless) conundrum is, of course, the 625hp of the flagship W12-powered Flying Spur.
Anyway. As the most overtly sporty Flying Spur in the range the V8 S the extra power is accompanied by revised calibration and more assertive response from throttle and gearbox in S mode, this locking out eighth gear on the assumption you'll be looking for a bit of acceleration and drama rather than relaxed, overdriven wafting. There are also tweaks to the air suspension and a retuned stability control that permits "increased wheel slip at higher speeds with engine torque reinstated more quickly after a system intervention" to apparently offer what Bentley describes as "the spirited driver" chance to appreciate the chassis and engine upgrades. A ceramic brake option will help you cool your boots once you've done that.
A black grille, V8 S badging and "open spoke" 20-inch wheels mark the S from standard V8 models and if you want to spend big Mulliner options are there to personalise your Flying Spur further. Expect pricing and further details following the Geneva unveiling.