Posted August 14, 2014 by 99MilesPerHour Bentley

2014 Bentley Flying Spur V8

…The legend of “Big Ben” continues…

…And then came the Bentley Flying Spur V8. Big Ben got relentless with its new life. First a 12-cylinder saloon luxurious enough to qualify as a limousine. Now, an 8-cylinder saloon luxurious enough to qualify as a limousine. The 2014 Bentley Flying Spur V8 is maintaining the Bentley pre-eminence in the world of luxury saloons. The latest manifestation of Bentley Art is a range of motorcars offering an incomparable blend of craftsmanship, advanced technology, comfort, and refinement. The Flying Spur V8 is from a line of distinguished predecessors, this new Bentley model combines the latest technical thinking with that which is tried, tested, and true…

The Flying Spur V8 is from a tradition of craftsmanship and painstaking attention to detail. Artisans, stylists, and engineers look to the future incorporating cutting-edge technology in their relentless quest for perfection. No Bentley has ever sprung forth from a blinding flash of inspiration; it emerges over a number of years through evolution, meticulous engineering, and hand-crafting. The company’s approach to building motorcars that require the best that brain, hand, and eye can create…is the philosophy of the artisans who believe there is only one way: the right way to expedite the mission, anything else is highly unacceptable-

The power comes from the potent 4.0 litre 244 CID 32-valve twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It is equipped with four overhead camshafts, cam phasing, and two parallel twin-scroll turbochargers with indirect intercooling. The engine block, cylinder heads, and pistons are aluminium alloy. It has a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods. The engine produces 500 hp @ 6,000 rpm with 660 Nm of peak torque @ 1,750 rpm. It sprints from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, 0-100 mph in 11.2 seconds with a top speed of 183 mph. It can do the ¼ mile @ 104 mph in 13.6 seconds.

This sophisticated powerplant uses Cylinder Deactivation. Four cylinders, valves, and fuel deactivation during light loads are all shut off to conserve petrol. The engine returns to all eight cylinders when required…instantly. The engine is mated to the ZF 8HP90 AL951 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting, and steering wheel mounted paddle-shift. Block shifting allows combined downshifts.

The Flying Spur V8 rolls with permanent all-wheel drive. The reassuring stability and traction of its computer controlled air suspension maximizes road impact absorption and road noise isolation. The ZF 8-speed transmission and all-wheel drive yields smooth imperceptible shifts. For the enthusiast that enjoys complete control can switch to electronic paddle-shift mode. This twin-turbocharged luxury saloon has a 40:60 rear bias torque split that intuitively changes depending upon available traction.

Its sophisticated suspension compliments the drivetrain. Built as monocoque construction, the air suspension has Continuous Damping Control and four-position driver-selectable settings from “Comfort to Sport.” Two-mode ESP (Electronic Stability Program) enhances brake and throttle regulation with increased cornering control. The ESP may be manually disengaged.

The four-wheel independent suspension uses four-link double wishbones with anti-roll bar to the front and a trapezoidal multi-link with anti-roll bar to the rear. The Flying Spur V8 rides a long 120.7” wheelbase, has the luxury length of 208”, and is 77.8” wide.

Perhaps the key pleasure of driving the Bentley Flying Spur V8 is its undemanding nature. The power assisted steering; cruise control; the smooth transmission; the carefully contoured seating; the unique sophisticated multi-zone Climate control with bull’s eye air vents and organ stop controls; all help the driver and passengers to cover long distances and to arrive feeling refreshed and as comfortable as the journey’s start. The long descent of a winding Alpine pass or high-speed Autobahn or Autoroute may be undertaken with confidence.

Aesthetic and useful features make the Flying Spur V8 the most practical answer for the business professional who must work while travelling. They will undoubtedly enjoy the irresistible pleasure of driving such a motorcar. The RSE Specification is all about multi-media systems, features and accessories. It includes a Wi-Fi router and connectivity unit with a 64 GB hard drive in the boot. For each rear seat a 10” monitor, DVD player, SD card slot, USB port, 12v charging system, and wireless headphones. Bluetooth telephone connection with privacy headset is available. This highly bespoke automobile can be tailored to the owner’s requirements…

Subtle styling differentiates the Flying Spur V8 from its flagship W12 sibling. The “figure eight” chromed exhaust finishers signify the alternative powertrain, while the famous Bentley winged badge receives the usual red center to denote the V8 engine. The front bumper grilles are finished in black, with a black “wing” insert.

Signature Flying Spur V8 features include a monotone interior color split with Dark Eucalyptus wood veneer, full bench rear seating with folding center armrest, single front armrest, 19” Classic alloy wheels in a painted finish and a choice of seven exterior paint finishes.

The Flying Spur V8 Mulliner with the formidable Mulliner Driving Specification is for those who aren’t satisfied with status-quo…and want something as unique as their fingerprints. The door panels and seat cushions have a luxurious diamond quilting which is a Mulliner patent. This bespoke process produces perforations in exact diamond shapes with non-perforated tram lines in between. Its intricacy makes a definite statement of distinction.

The 4 + 1 rear seat system includes fully adjustable seating with lumbar support. The cabin is further augmented by drilled alloy foot pedals, indented leather headlining, ‘jewel’ fuel and oil filler caps, and embroidered Bentley wings on all head restraints. The standard veneer range is extended to include luxurious Dark Stained Burr Walnut and Piano Black finishes. The full range of 17 hide colors and four additional color splits is available. This Specification includes 20” five-spoke painted alloy wheels.

For $208,000 USD this can be parked in your driveway. The 2014 Flying Spur V8 is built in the formidable Bentley hand-crafted tradition. This new luxury saloon has the legs of a sports car. It is nimble and quick…it sprints form 0-60 mph in an astonishing 4.9 seconds. The sophisticated 4.0 litre alloy 32-valve twin-turbocharged V8 engine is equipped with Cylinder Deactivation to increase fuel economy. The Flying Spur V8 like its stable mate the Flying Spur V12 cossets its passengers in first class luxury. This highly bespoke vehicle can be ordered to exacting requirements. The 2014 Bentley Flying Spur V8 is luxurious enough to qualify as a limousine.