There's riding in a Bentley, and there's driving a Bentley. For those who prefer the latter, the folks from Crewe are introducing the Flying Spur S. It's a performance-flavored Bentley that will debut at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed and join other models there, including the Continental GT and Bentayga EWB.
What's Under The Hood
Buyers of the Flying Spur S will have a choice of two powerplants. A gas-powered 2.9-liter V6 hybrid promises 536 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque and a 0-62 mph run in 4.1 seconds. Respectable performance for something weighing two-and-a-half tons. And with an all-electric range of 26 miles, the company calls the Flying Spur Hybrid S the "most efficient Bentley yet."
For the more conventionally minded, the car is available with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 making 542 ponies and 569 lb-ft of torque. Bentley reports this engine will take the Flying Spur S to a 198 mph top speed and best the hybrid's acceleration by 0.1 seconds. The V8 also gets an enhanced suspension, electronic all-wheel steering, and a reworked sport exhaust system.
Bentley points out the car is the first S variant with either a hybrid or V8 powerplant.
Appearances Aren't Deceiving
Most of the exterior chrome on the Flying Spur S gets replaced by very on-trend gloss black accents, including on the grille, headlight bezels, and window frames. The black 22-inch wheels complete the effect. It's unusual to use menacing and Bentley in a single sentence, but it's appropriate in this case.
The interior gets unique treatments, too. There's a pair of two-tone configurations featuring pseudo-suede on the heated steering wheel, gear lever, and seat cushions. Leather accents the seat bolsters and other cabin components. An embroidered "S" emblem on each headrest reminds occupants this is no ordinary Flying Spur.
Source: Bentley Motors