The demise of the Mulsanne has promoted the Flying Spur as the most expensive four-door luxury sedan in the Bentley family. Knowing that the Flying Spur has big shoes to fill, Volkswagen-owned Bentley has made consistent efforts to bring the third-gen model up to the task.
At the time of its launch in 2019, the Flying Spur was available only with a W12 engine, followed by the addition of a V8 motor later on, and now for 2022, the Luxo-barge has been fitted with an environment-friendly V6 Hybrid. There’s also a bespoke Mulliner version of the sedan, which is even more exclusive and comes with exquisite and unique detailing.
The Flying Spur may belong to a segment of its own, but deep-pocketed luxury car buyers won’t mind spending extra bucks on the Rolls-Royce Ghost or even go for the similarly priced Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. That said, both the Rolls and Maybach are strictly meant to pamper rear-seat occupants, whereas the Bentley is more of a middle-ground.
Bentley Flying Spur Engines: W12, V8, And V6 Hybrid
With three engine options on offer, the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur caters to the needs of different sects of luxury car buyers. For instance, if you require a big brute and believe in the no-replacement-for-displacement formula, the 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 version is the one for you. The engine churns out 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque and paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and AWD, this powertrain can help the Flying Spur clock 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds! The top speed of 207 mph is equally mind-blowing as it’s much faster than some supercars on the market.
If you want a more agile and less thirsty version, you’ve got the one with 542 hp and 568 lb-ft producing 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 motor. This one is also mated to an eight-speed DCT and gets AWD. Now, while it’s down on power as compared to the mighty W12, it’s nearly as quick. It can do 0-60 mph in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph. In terms of fuel economy, the V8 version has an EPA-rated fuel consumption of 19 mpg (16 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on highway) as opposed to the W12’s 15 mpg (12 in city and 15 on highway).
Last but not least, there’s a new hybrid version for environment-conscious tycoons. Powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that works in conjunction with a 14.1kWh Lithium-ion battery back, this powertrain is capable of delivering 536 hp and 553 lb-ft. Despite being the heaviest version in the range, the Flying Spur Hybrid is capable of hitting 60 mph from a standstill in 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of 177 mph. The Hybrid version can, however, be driven in EV mode within the city and is expected to offer a range of 25 miles. To charge the battery pack, it’ll take close to 2 to 2.5 hours, says Bentley. The company also claims a driving range of 435 miles (a full tank of fuel and battery range). Not bad for a $200,000 car, is it?
Air suspension is standard in all trims. The W12 version gets all-wheel steering and Bentley Dynamic Ride (electronic anti-roll system) as standard, and these are optional on the V8 and Hybrid. Similarly, the W12 is the one that’s offered with 21-inch wheels as standard, while the remaining two come with 20-inch wheels. You can opt for 21- or 22-inch wheels with all variants for extra coin.
Bentley Flying Spur Interior: A Palace On Wheels
Bentley is one of the few carmakers that knows what luxury and comfort are all about, and the Flying Spur does full justice to the brand’s reputation. The cabin of this flagship saloon is nothing short of a palace. It’s a fine example of hand-crafted opulence, featuring swaths of leather, high-quality veneers, knurled controls, and Flying ‘B’ logos all around. The W12 has 15 leather color options, while the V8 and Hybrid have five. Alcantara headlining and ‘Crown Cut Walnut’ veneer is standard in all three.
Equipment-wise, each Flying Spur is fitted with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system as well as a digital driver display. Wireless Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker sound system, four-zone air-conditioning, heated and ventilated seats are available too. The Flying Spur is available in both four- and five-seat configurations. The rear passengers get a Touch Screen Remote that has controls for seat heating/ventilation, seat adjustments, mood lighting, sunroof, and blinds, and it can also be used to access the infotainment system. The W12 version gets massaging seats as standard.
Some of the optional extras that are quite exquisite include the rotating display that turns the touchscreen into a wood panel with three analog dials (a temperature gauge, a clock, and a compass). Rear seat passengers can also have separate Entertainment Tablets as well as an onboard two-bottle drinks cooler (fridge). There are two optional sound systems that buyers can upgrade to – a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen or a 19-speaker Naim system. Full LED headlamps with matrix tech are standard in all three versions.
As standard, all Flying Spur variants get Blind Spot Warning, City Assist, Pedestrian Warning and Rear-Crossing Traffic Warning, and Traffic Sign Recognition systems. Adaptive cruise control, Night Vision, and Automated Emergency Braking are some optional assistance systems that are available.
If you want your Bentley to look and feel unique from the inside and out, you can always go and spec your car up with exclusive Mulliner personalization options.
2022 Bentley Flying Spur Costs
The 2022 Bentley Flying Spur range kicks off with the V8 version at nearly $195,000. Next up is the Flying Spur Hybrid that’s priced at $204,000 (approx.). Sitting at the top of the range is the W12 version at over $225,000. These are indicative prices, of course. Plus, nobody who’s going to buy a Flying Spur will stick to the ‘base’ price, since it’s a highly personalized luxury item and not just a car.