New Bentley Flying Spur revealed: four-door supercar gains plug-in hybrid tech
September 10, 2024 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
This is the new Bentley Flying Spur, and it follows in the Continental GT’s tyre tracks by going plug-in hybrid.
- New Bentley Flying Spur revealed
- Identical design to the outgoing car
- W12 engine ditched in favour of a plug-in hybrid V8
- 782hp and 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds
- Up to 47 miles of EV range
- Prices expected to start from over £200,000
The new Bentley Flying Spur is here and, just like the two-door Continental GT, this new luxury limousine has lost its W12 engine.
The Mercedes S-Class alternative gets a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 instead, with a plug-in hybrid system thrown in for good measure, meaning it’s both greener and more powerful than the outgoing car.
New Bentley Flying Spur design
Let’s cut to the chase here, the new Bentley Flying Spur looks almost identical to the outgoing car. There are a few very subtle differences to freshen things up, but you’ll need a keen eye to spot them.
The lower bumper has been lightly updated with a new vent design, and there’s some smoked chrome trim on this Speed model to make it look more sporty. Beyond this though the front end looks the same as before, with the signature quad headlamps making it instantly recognisable.
You do get some new 22-inch alloy wheels, and there are tens of billions of different colour and trim combinations to choose from (according to Bentley). The rear is sporting the same square LED tail lights as before, but the lower bumper does have a slightly more aggressive-looking diffuser.
New Bentley Flying Spur engine and performance
The exterior design may not have changed much, but the new Bentley Flying Spur is radically different under the skin. The main change here is the loss of a W12 engine in the Speed model, with the 12-cylinder lump being replaced by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.
It may have lost four cylinders, but the Speed has gained a plug-in hybrid system. It’s exactly the same setup you get in the new Continental GT, meaning the engine and electric motor produce a combined 782hp and 1,000Nm of torque.
See how the old Flying Spur Speed gets on in a drag race…
That’s 147hp and 100Nm of torque more than the old Flying Spur Speed, however it’s not as powerful as the Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance – that car has 802hp and 1,430Nm of torque. Despite the power deficit, the Flying Spur and the AMG S63 have exactly the same 0-60mph time, both completing the sprint in 3.3 seconds.
For wafting around in silence, this new luxury saloon can drive in electric-only mode for up to 47 miles and at speeds of up to 87 mph. This contributes to 90% lower emissions than the old W12 Speed.
New Bentley Flying Spur suspension and chassis
As well as a new engine, the Flying Spur’s suspension has also been upgraded to make it even more serene than the outgoing car.
The Speed model comes with Bentley’s Active Chassis with Dynamic Ride, which can read the road ahead and adjust the shock absorbers to soak up the bumps and reduce body roll through the corners.
The new twin-valve dampers also widen the spread between comfort and sportiness by offering an increased range of adjustment. It has four-wheel steering as well, something which will make it both more agile through the corner and more manoeuvrable in tight spaces.
New Bentley Flying Spur interior and infotainment
When you climb behind the wheel of the new Bentley Flying Spur you’ll be hard pressed to notice any differences compared to the old one. The changes are subtle, but they do aim to improve the overall feeling of quality.
That’s not to say the old Flying Spur felt like a budget hatchback inside, but the new model has upgraded seats and different leather options with a 3D effect on the door cards. The 12.3-inch rotating centre screen has also been carried over, allowing you to put the screen away in favour of three analogue dials for a cleaner look.
How much is the new Bentley Flying Spur?
You can put your name down for a new Bentley Flying Spur now, however prices are yet to be nailed down. An increase over the current car is likely though, so a figure of around £220,000 is a safe bet.
Looking for an easy way to change your car? Then Carwow is the place to go. You can sell your old car for a great price, and get the best deals on a new one. All through our network of trusted dealers and all from the comfort of your home. Tap the button below to get started today.