Review: Bentley Flying Spur

Roll forward to 2019 and here is the new Flying Spur, the third generation of an incarnation that first appeared in 2005. It is a four-door version of the immensely popular Continental GT grand tourer.

The new Flying Spur is available now with just the W12 engine; a V8 and hybrid will follow but not for a year or so, and there will be no extended wheelbase version – the luxury saloon is already longer than an extended Audi A8.

Bentley now does undoubtedly the finest interiors of any car maker. Its concept of British luxury is spot-on: the finest materials, sourced from sustainable global providers, handcrafted with a mixture of cutting-edge technology and traditional artistry. The provenance of everything is transparent, the styling carefully surfs the line between subtle and statement, and the blend of colours – even their names – is unique and memorable. One test car was Cricket Ball Red – actually a very dark metallic red with a deep lustre – with Camel and Beluga (buttercream and dark grey/blue) coloured hides inside.

The very finest thing in our Flying Spur, however, the likes of which we’ve never seen before, was the 3D diamond pattern on the leather covering the doors. Stretching from the edge of the rear door to the B-pillar, where it faded out to a flat surface, the pattern has no stitching – the leather is moulded and stiffened then applied to the door. The result is a very contemporary feel and yet another design innovation that sets Bentley apart. The company says it is now perfecting the same design on its wood surfaces.

There is naturally acres of leg room in the rear, which can seat five, but most will be wanting to pull the centre arm rest down, which reveals an optional fridge and cup holders. In front of the centre squab is a cradle holding a remote-control tablet for rear-seat occupants. It is pleasantly heavy and pops up from its holder when you touch the eject arrow graphic on the screen. You can then control all infotainment functions of the car, including those on the rear screens if you’ve ticked the option box for rear entertainment.

You’ll also want Bentley’s rotating screen display for the front: shaped like a Toblerone, it flicks between digital touchscreen, three analogue dials or a total information detox with just a continuation of the fascia.

We also had ambient mood lighting, 22-inch polished wheels, leather headliner, embroidered Bentley emblems, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, night vision and lane assist, all of which is extra.

What you get as standard is an exquisite car on the move. That W12 engine pumps out 635 horsepower and a huge 900Nm (666lb ft) of torque, delivered with little pause for breath thanks to the twin turbos and the addition of a dual-clutch automatic transmission after much debate over the benefits of torque converters. That means 60-mph in 3.7 seconds, which is quite astonishing in a car this big and heavy. And all the time it feels so quiet.

We’re still not entirely sure about Bentley’s 48v anti-roll system on the chassis, also used by Audi in the SQ7 and SQ8. It does however make more sense in the Flying Spur than the Bentayga, where the total absence of body roll feels entirely wrong in such a high car and left us feeling a little queasy.

The other big news is the introduction of all-wheel-steering to the long saloon. The combination of this with the anti-roll system is a car that drives through the corners with remarkably little fuss, and sets you up for some spirited acceleration out of it. Not that you’ll appreciate spirited driving if you’re sitting in the back.

The only cloud on the Flying Spur’s horizon is the Mulsanne. The latter saloon may feel a bit long in the tooth compared with this snazzy new Flying Spur, but it does still bear the flag for the brand, and perhaps if one is in the Flying Spur, one is forever thinking how much more fun it would be to be driving the Continental GT. Still, first-world problems.

Bentley Flying Spur specification

• Price: £168,300
• Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged, W12 petrol
• Power/torque: 635PS (626bhp) @ 6,000rpm/900Nm (666lb ft) @ 1,350-4,500rpm
• Transmission: eight-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive
• 0-62mph: 3.7 seconds
• Top speed: 207mph
• Combined economy: 19.1mpg
• Kerb weight: 2,437kg