It seems only yesterday when I was piloting Bentley’s all-new third-generation Flying Spur in and out of Monaco, all the way past to Nice, and through picturesque French provincial towns whose names I can’t remember — or pronounce. (It was actually almost a year ago in October last year; that’s how much the experience gets imprinted in one’s brain.)
It was an almost 6-hour round-trip drive that was utterly effortless and supremely relaxing, thanks to the exquisitely crafted (and amazingly silent) interior, the luxurious yet sporting handling, and of course, the incredibly powerful 6-0-liter twin-turbo W-12 engine.
The Bentley Flying Spur ranks right up there as one of the world’s most uniquely spectacular cars. Which makes it all the more impressive when you consider that Bentley has to date handcrafted more than 40,000 examples of this incomparable luxury sports sedan at its headquarters in Crewe, England.
Originally christened the Continental Flying Spur, the name of the car evolved to Flying Spur to further distinguish it car from the two-door Bentley Continental GT. Through the last 15 years the Flying Spur has consistently delivered near-supercar performance and exclusive four-door, limousine-style comfort.
Like its predecessors, the latest Flying Spur has a presence that is unmistakably Bentley and a luxurious cabin offering unrivaled levels of comfort and refinement. The model seamlessly integrates the best in British craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.
All three generations of the Flying Spur were designed, engineered, developed and manufactured in Crewe. Each of the 40,000 cars built has spent more than 100 hours on a dedicated production line where a 250-strong team meticulously assemble every Flying Spur by hand. Once finished and subjected to hundreds of quality checks, the car is shipped to any of the 68 countries in which Bentley operates — the Philippines included.
Of the total number of Flying Spurs manufactured, nearly half of these were commissioned by customers in Bentley’s two biggest markets — split evenly between China and the Americas. UK buyers account for around 10%, with the remaining 40% of the cars going to clients in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
First shown in the second half of 2019, the all-new Flying Spur is powered by an enhanced version of Bentley’s acclaimed W12, mated to an advanced dual-clutch, 8-speed automatic. The model is the first Bentley to be fitted with electronic all-wheel steering, which is combined with an active all-wheel drive system and the Bentley Dynamic Ride — the world’s first 48-volt electric anti-roll system. New three-chamber air springs allow for a vast range of suspension adjustments.
Defining the interior of the all-new Flying Spur are a new wing-themed fascia connecting the front and rear spaces, the use of sustainable and natural materials, and a host of new technologies like the unique Bentley Rotating Display, an HD instrument panel that can switch from a 12.3-inch digital touchscreen, to analog dials, or to a digital-detox wood veneer finish. A detachable touchscreen remote control for various convenience functions is available for rear seat passengers.
Enhancing the sumptuous cabin appointments is an extensive list of single and dual veneer wood options. Both the front and rear seats are wrapped by newly designed fluted leather that features diamond quilting (for the Mulliner Driving Specification). Three-dimensional diamond quilted leather door panel inserts are a world-first, too.
In the all-new Flying Spur, Bentley is pushing the boundaries of refinement and attention to detail to create the finest luxury sports sedan ever built. Describing the car demands a full array of superlatives. Driving or riding in it is an otherworldly experience altogether.