2014 Bentley Flying Spur Saloon

The Bentley Continental Flying Spur saloon was introduced in 2005 essentially as a four-door Continental GT. It was an immediate success. Posh, poised and powerful from the New Bentley Motors, luxury took on a completely new style. Bentley has since established a new luxury performance sedan benchmark with the all-new Bentley Flying Spur saloon launched March 2013 at The Geneva Motor Show.This exquisite hand-crafted work of art exemplifies the world wide success of the iconic Bentley brand and expands upon the unrivaled performance making the Flying Spur the most powerful four-door Bentley ever.

The latest version inherited the Mulsanne’s low slung roofline and shoulder haunches. The new Flying Spur is longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor. It dropped the “Continental” from its name and also shed 110 pounds. Bentley’s relentless pursuit of luxury, performance, and presence are evident in this superlative of superlatives. Supercar performance packaged in an ultra luxurious saloon makes each driving experience a unique adventure……

The name “Flying Spur” has been a coachbuilt special edition to specific saloons for many decades. Both, the Rolls Royce Silver Spur and Rolls Royce Silver Seraph had the “Mulliner Flying Spur” Specification to a limited number of coachbuilt saloons. Mulliner would transform the ultra luxurious into the ultra luxury-limo style of comfort and individuality of true bespoke elegance. Each Mulliner Masterpiece becomes an instant collectible. The new Bentley Flying Spur with the optional Mulliner Driving Specification is no exception.

This elite specification adds five additional hides expanding the total choices to 17 shades and five additional wood veneers. Bentley’s traditional diamond tufting is incorporated into seat trim & door panels with a perforated leather headliner. Bentley “Wing” motifs embroidered into the head restraints. Drilled alloy foot pedals alert you to the fact that this is a driver’s Grand Tourer. A knurled sports gear shift lever and a jeweled filler cap with 21” two-piece alloy wheels in your choice of  painted or polished finish complete the ultra exclusive Mulliner touch of class.

A lightweight alloy 6-litre 48-valve four cam twin-turbocharged W12 engine moves this performance limo with a top speed of 200 mph. This 12 cylinder power plant produces 616 bhp @ 6,000 rpm with 800 Nm peak torque. The Flying Spur leaps from 0-60 in just 4.3 seconds, which is awesome coming from a 5,000+ pound behemoth. It  uses a Bosch ME 1 7 interface as the new engine management system. The ZF eight speed transmission drives all four wheels with a 40:60 rear biased torque split.

The sophisticated electronic suspension has dampers dedicated to each wheel allowing all four wheels to intuitively calibrate themselves individually. It works as a network, if one wheel is losing grip, a braking action controls the affected wheels to counter with power shifting between the front and rear drive wheels as needed to correct. This feature combined with the Flying Spur’s electronic height control provides optimum performance in any driving situation. It outpaces many sports cars with its lightning-quick response and 200 mph top speed. The Car actually lowers itself at high speeds to remain aerodynamically poised achieving a lower drag co-efficient AND increases fuel economy.

The completely redesigned architecture has crumple zones both front and rear which accordion at a controlled rate upon impact. Reinforced “B” posts, sills and front cross members were enhanced for safety. The bonnet and front wings are made from aluminium using the ‘Superform’ process where a sheet of aluminium is heated and compressed air forces the material onto or into special dies. This process eliminates unnecessary body welds and seams. The one-piece body panels not only provide a more sculpted design but also aids in aerodynamic efficiency.

The unmistakable Bentley matrix grille with bi-Xenon head lamps and LED daytime running lights balance the beautifully beveled nose clip giving the Flying Spur a more authoritative stance. The subtle sweep of its roofline back to the square single ellipse tail lamps hint at the luxurious Bentleys of the past but styled for today with contemporary flair.

The rear boot is longer and lower. Its boot lid is made from a polymer composite material that integrates the main antennae for the car’s electronic systems. The doors were redesigned using fewer individual parts. 

The luxurious cabin surrounds the occupants with leather, wood, and technology. The Flying Spur eliminates noise from the outside using a new twin-sealing system, under floor sheets and additional door insulation. Electrically operated rear side blinds are fitted as standard to enhance privacy. Myriad bespoke options are available to make your Bentley Flying Spur uniquely individual. The cabin is available as a four or five seat configuration. The four seat version uses a center console that begins in the front at the dash and sweeps to the rear dividing individually adjustable heated and ventilated seats.

A touch-screen infotainment system with mobile connectivity including wi-fi allows passengers and driver to interface with the outside world. A rear seat entertainment suite and a new bespoke hand held touch screen remote gives rear seat occupants control over an extensive range of features such as adjusting the climate control system, satellite navigation and multi-media systems

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Each rear passenger can view separate content, and stream media from the Bentley Connectivity Unit (BCU). The multi-media specification allows portable devices, laptops and tablet computers to connect to the internet through the car’s wi-fi hotspot. It has 64GB storage.

Two 10” LCD screens installed into the backs of the front seats, top loading multi-media players fitted to the rear compartment allows videos, photos & music from DVDs, SD cards,  and USB devices including iPod and iPad. A USB charging port keeps batteries fresh. Bentley wireless headphones complete the specification for the ultimate rear seat infotainment system. An eight channel 1100 watt Naim for Bentley system with balanced mode radiators and eight speakers is a popular audio option. The system is custom fitted to the acoustics of the Flying Spur’s cabin for concert hall quality sound.

The Bentley Flying Spur is a sparkling example of the Bentley heritage brought into the Twenty-first Century. From a distinguished line of predecessors, the new Flying Spur saloon inherits the tradition of craftsmanship and painstaking attention to detail…..however, much of the past is honored, the artisans at Bentley Crewe look to the future incorporating the latest in technology with their strive for absolute perfection.

The Flying Spur is eminently suitable for both formal business use with chauffeur or for the enjoyment of the owner/driver who likes to take the wheel himself. Why waste this exhilarating machine on a chauffeur?

………….”A Bentley is a pure fusion of extremes”