Bentley Flying Spur 2015 V8

New Flying Spur

The new Flying Spur* is a unique fusion of breathtaking performance, contemporary design and intuitive technology. It delivers an enriching experience for both the driver and those who prefer to be driven.

With a graceful yet commanding form, intricate detailing and sharp design lines, the new Flying Spur has an assertive road presence. Inside, tactile materials and modern craftsmanship combine to create a stylish and tranquil environment.

The same sense of refinement flows into the car’s performance. Powerful and dynamic, the car automatically adapts to changing environments and driving conditions. Intelligent and intuitive My Bentley Connected Car technology has been seamlessly integrated throughout, allowing you to shape your own journey.

Take a closer look and discover a car built without compromise. Powerful, yet refined. Dynamic, yet serene. Contemporary, yet distinguished. The new Flying Spur is the definitive four-door grand tourer. To discover more about this compelling car, contact your local Bentley dealer.

*The new Flying Spur is not yet available to order in EU28 countries, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey or Ukraine. It will be available to order in these markets later this year.

Commanding form

The new Flying Spur’s confident form immediately commands attention. The gloss-black radiator matrix grille with new bright chrome vertical vanes sets the tone. Sharp, uninterrupted design lines – created using the largest superformed panel in the automotive world – draw the eye over the car’s graceful yet muscular new profile. By positioning the front wheels further forwards we have lifted the bonnet profile to create balanced proportions. The result is an exterior with a sophisticated and captivating look.

Intricate detailing

All the considered details on the new Flying Spur come together to create a journey of constant discovery. Eye-catching front LED matrix headlamps add to the car’s assertive presence, with matrix-beam technology and a cut-crystal effect. Set in a new chrome sleeve, the headlamps sparkle like jewels even when they are not lit. The detailing on the B-shaped rear lamps is equally stunning, echoing the unique diamond knurling found inside the car.

The new Flying B

A chrome bonnet strip draws your eye to the addition of a striking new Flying B mascot – available as an option on the Flying Spur for the first time since the 1950s. Completely redesigned for our second century, it is crafted from stainless steel and hand-polished – and now features innovative illuminating wings.

The mascot automatically deploys when the car is unlocked, illuminating in synchronicity with the headlamps. When the Flying B is stowed, a stylish chromed Bentley badge covers the opening.

An inspiring interior

Inside, contours inspired by the Bentley wings unify the cabin. Accentuated by a new floating centre console, the wing shape rises up and flows across the dashboard, wrapping round onto the front and rear doors. This creates a sculptural flow throughout the whole cabin that enhances the feeling of spaciousness.

The new console features convenient stowage compartments in both front and rear, with wireless charging and twin USB ports in the front stowage area. Further up the console, the new precision-detailed centre vent is modelled on the Bentley ‘B’ design of the rear lamps and incorporates a Bentley clock. Available in a polished or diamond knurled finish, the design is echoed in the rear cabin’s centre vents to give the interior a harmonious feel.

All in complete comfort

The new Flying Spur has been designed to provide a tranquil and relaxing environment that feels just as spacious in the rear as at the front.

A new glass-to-glass panoramic sunroof lets the light flood in, giving the space an uplifting feel. Our new twin flute seat design is as comfortable as it is elegant, with ventilation, massage and top tilt features that allow you to make everything exactly how you like it. We have even designed new wheels specifically to optimise ride comfort.

Performance

Power with poise

The new Flying Spur’s formidable 6.0 litre W12 engine, combines impressive power and torque to deliver effortless acceleration and breathtaking agility, with a top speed of 207 mph (333 km/h). This results in an exhilarating drive while maintaining a sophisticated and comfortable ride. You can read more about the impressive performance capabilities of the new Flying Spur here.

The engine has been positioned closer to the centre of the car to enhance balance and ensure particularly dynamic handling. Active All-Wheel Drive monitors the level of grip and adapts to the driving conditions and terrain to provide greater confidence at all times. With the option of switching between four driving modes, you can enjoy an engaging driving experience on demand, while remaining firmly in control.

A master of all environments

Whether you are navigating the city or crossing continents, the new Flying Spur is designed for every journey.

New Electronic All Wheel Steering reduces the car’s turning circle at low speeds for easier parking and manoeuvring, while out on the open road it increases the stability of the car, making overtaking and lane changes more assured. With the added reassurance of fast and effective braking, along with enhanced air suspension for elevated ride comfort and impressive dynamism, you can drive with confidence at higher speeds and with ease at low speeds.

Technology

Seamless Technology

Intelligent and connected technology has been seamlessly integrated throughout the new Flying Spur to provide easy and intuitive access to infotainment, navigation and environmental controls without interrupting your journey.

The Digital Instrument Display includes sophisticated new graphics and adjustable views designed to enhance your driving experience while allowing you to concentrate on the road. The Central Display features a 12.3” HD touchscreen with refined touch sensitivity and the ability to switch to a split-screen view. So, for example, you can change the music without losing sight of the navigation.

The new stylishly designed and precision-crafted Touch Screen Remote sits in the rear console. It gives passengers in the rear cabin convenient access to everything you can do on the Central Display, including controlling the infotainment functions, adjusting the ventilation and opening and closing the sunroof. It can even be used to store pre-set configurations for mood lighting.

Stay smart. Stay connected

Integrated My Bentley Connected Car technology makes your journey safer, smarter and more convenient. Features include Apple CarPlay ® , photorealistic landscapes through Satelite maps and advance warning of changing road or traffic conditions via the Local hazard information service. You can also access My car status – including driving range, engine diagnostics and Lock my car – through the My Bentley app, as well as safety services such as Private eCall, all designed to provide a level of convenience and assurance about your car and journey ahead.

Apple CarPlay ® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

Bentley Rotating Display

Journeys are made all the more extraordinary through innovations such as the optional Bentley Rotating Display. Hidden beneath a beautifully veneered fascia, when you start the car it rotates to reveal an advanced digital display featuring apps, media and vehicle information. A further rotation reveals three classic analogue dials with jewel-like chrome bezels. So you can switch on when you need to and switch off when you want.

Personalisation

Finishing Touches

Bringing your new Flying Spur to life in a way that reflects your unique style means you can own a car that is as individual as you are. Two options have been designed to enhance the contemporary style – the Blackline Specification replaces the exterior chrome elements with a gloss black finish, while the Carbon Fibre Body Kit creates a bold and assertive look.

Our sustainably sourced wood veneers give the fascia a remarkably individual look and feel. You can explore a choice of eight single veneers – including Liquid Amber and Koa – with or without an optional chrome pinstripe. Alternatively, you can opt for one of seven dual veneers.

The cabin is upholstered in some of the finest leather used in the automotive world, with a selection of 15 hide colours to choose from. Diamond knurling, standard on rotary switches and indicator stalks, can be expanded to the clock, along with the bullseye and centre vents, for a particularly unified feel. There is also a choice of three audio systems, including one by Bang & Olufsen and one by Naim.

Mulliner Driving Specification

The Mulliner Driving Specification offers a range of elevated features and finishes for those who want to set their car apart even further. A new lofted diamond style has been designed for the seats, combining traditional stitching and embroidery to create a distinctive pattern, with every single diamond unique in its shape and size, as they draw gently down the seat.

Door panels can be finished in incredibly tactile three-dimensional diamond leather – inspired by the Speed 6 concept car. The Mulliner Driving Specification also gives you the option of a 22” wheel with directional spokes, available in a choice of two finishes.

2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8

Quick Specs

Engine 4.0 l. V8 Twin-Turbo

Power 500 bhp

Torque 660 Nm

0-60 mph 4.9 sec.

Bentley Flying Spur V8

A new V8 powertrain is being introduced to the Bentley Flying Spur, giving customers the option of a new interpretation of this luxury sedan. Complementing the Flying Spur flagship W12 model, the V8 sedan provides the opportunity to experience the Flying Spur’s unique blend of sculpted, sleek coachwork, exquisite craftsmanship and advanced on-board technology. The Flying Spur V8 will draw new customers to Bentley, looking to upgrade from a premium sedan.

Bentley’s renowned 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 engine develops 507 PS (500 bhp / 373 kW) and 660 Nm, powering the Flying Spur V8 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds) and on to a top speed of 183 mph (295 km/h). This impressive performance comes with a fuel range of 520 miles (840 km), thanks to the highly efficient engine that includes cylinder deactivation, intelligent thermal management and electrical recuperation.

As in the Flying Spur W12, the engine feeds power through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission to a continuous all-wheel drive system that provides reassuring stability and traction in all road and weather conditions. With ride comfort of vital importance, the independent computer-controlled air suspension of the Flying Spur V8 maximises impact absorption and isolation.

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

The Flying Spur V8 comes complete with a suite of on-board technology to make it an ideal place for work or relaxation on the move. An innovative Touch Screen Remote, deployed from the veneered rear centre console at the touch of a button, allows control of the car’s climate and infotainment systems from the comfort of the rear seat, while the optional Multimedia Specification brings an extensive Rear Seat Entertainment system.

The Flying Spur V8 has a monotone interior colour split, Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus wood veneer, a single-piece three-person rear seat, single front armrest, 19” Classic alloy wheels in a painted finish and a choice of seven exterior paints and four interior colours.

Customers wishing to upgrade their Flying Spur V8 can opt for the Flying Spur V8 Mulliner. The Mulliner Driving Specification adds diamond quilting, a knurled gear lever, drilled alloy pedals, an indented leather headlining, “Jewel” fuel and oil filler caps and embroidered Bentley wings to all headrests. 20-inch five-spoke painted alloy wheels are fitted as standard, as is the 4+1 rear seat system including fully adjustable seats with lumbar support and seat heating. The standard veneer range is extended to include luxurious Dark Stained Burr Walnut and Piano Black finishes, while the full range of 17 hide colours and four additional colour splits is available.

Customer deliveries of the new Flying Spur V8 will commence in the spring.

Bentley Flying Spur 2015 V8

Bentley Mulsanne, 2010 год. Он длиннее нового Flying Spur на 26 сантиметов и более чем на шесть миллионов дороже

Фото: Алексей Сулима

Первый Flying Spur нового века появился в 2005 году (он тогда еще назывался Continental). Его дизайн создал автор Skoda Octavia бельгиец Дирк ван Брейкель. Хочется пошутить об определенных параллелях, ведь Flying Spur получился очень сдержанным. До скромности: привет, я просто четырехдверный Bentley, пожалуйста не вставайте.

Первый Flying Spur двадцать первого века, 2005 год

Правда, подавали модель, напротив, без всякой сдержанности. Привычка Bentley спекулировать отсутствием ограничителя скорости началась именно с него.

В 2008 году Flying Spur Speed с 610-сильным W12 объявили быстрейшим в мире седаном. По максимальной скорости — он развивал 322 километра в час. Именно отсутствие электронного ограничителя позволяло британцам списать со счетов Mercedes S 65 AMG, который был не только мощнее, но и на два центнера легче.

Flying Spur Speed, 2008 год: 610 лошадиных сил и 322 км/ч максимальной скорости

Второе поколение Flying Spur, созданное Люком Донкервольке, продолжило тактику первого: делать вид, что других автомобилей не существует. Видимо, идеальный покупатель «Летящей шпоры» пересаживался на неё с предыдущего поколения и не подозревал о том, что Maserati Quattroporte намного интереснее водить, а Mercedes-Maybach предлагает куда больше простора и роскоши пассажиру заднего сиденья.

Flying Spur W12 S, 2016 год. Самая мощная версия второго поколения располагала 635 силами и развивала 325 км/ч

Фото: Алексей Сулима

Сбалансированность Flying Spur между водительскими ощущениями и комфортом пассажира была скорее компромиссом, чем золотой серединой, будь то начальная версия V8 или топовая W12 S. Однако она продавалась! На Flying Spur приходилось более трети всех продаж Bentley, а популярнее было только купе Continental GT — и то, с мизерным перевесом. Полноприводный седан Bentley, который примерно на 10 миллионов дешевле самого доступного Rolls-Royce — отличное предложение, не так ли?

Несмотря на огромную мощность и полный привод Flying Spur W12 S имел довольно скромные показатели разгона: 4,5 секунды с места до 100 км/ч

Фото: Алексей Сулима

Однако все изменилось три года назад. Самый большой удар по позициям «Летящей шпоры» нанес… Bentley Bentayga. Внедорожник в первый же полный год выпуска составил почти половину всех продаж Bentley. Правда, общее число проданных машин выросло лишь на 6% — кроссовер утвердился за счет других моделей. И Flying Spur пострадал больше всех, потеряв более половины клиентов: в 2015 году продали 3660 седанов, а в 2016-м лишь 1731.

Перезагрузка

С младшим седаном Bentley нужно было что-то делать. И все же по очередности обновлений Flying Spur пропустил вперёд купе и кабриолет Continental GT. Они получились просто фантастическими — смену поколений можно считать перезапуском модели. Многие убеждены, что гигантский качественный скачок обусловлен переходом на общую архитектуру с Porsche Panamera.

Этот момент не вызывает ни сожалений, ни скепсиса — пожалуй, даже в Крю. Ведь по Continental GT мы убедились, что двухдверки не превратились в переднемоторные Porsche, а стали, пожалуй, еще более правильными Bentley… Самыми лучшими Bentley XXI века. Огромный шаг вперед дал и переход на алюминиевый кузов. Но это далеко не всё!

В Bentley будто поменяли не то что подход к созданию автомобилей, а вообще отношение к собственной марке. Исчез самоуверенный апломб, с которым люди из Крю раньше представляли модели, устаревшие уже к моменту своей премьеры. Но кто эти люди (спрашивал специально, все они не проработали в Bentley и пяти лет), и где они теперь?

S1 Continental Flying Spur 1957 года с четырехдверным кузовом официально считается предшественником нынешних Flying Spur. Статуэтка в виде буквы В и вертикальные хромированные планки радиаторной решетки у новой машины — отсылка именно к нему

Вопрос риторический — я вовсе не хочу этого знать. Важно, что раздутый шар люксовых амбиций начали наполнять смыслом. Или, как сейчас модно говорить, смыслами. Вместо спекулятивных заявлений об очередной «самой быстрой модели в истории» от менеджеров непонятно-каких-дел — открытый и даже неформальный разговор с людьми, которые эту машину создавали.

Новая платформа позволила увеличить колесную базу сразу на 128 миллиметров (до 3194 мм!). Разумеется, дизайнеры пустили изрядную часть прибавки в «расстояние престижа» от стойки лобового стекла до оси переднего колеса. Отсюда и более благородные стремительные пропорции.

Главный дизайнер Штефан Зилафф вновь превращает вечер в праздник одним своим нарядом. Он доволен свежей работой, узнает и встречает журналистов, как старых друзей. Немец по происхождению и англичанин по духу, он счастлив быть главным дизайнером Bentley — это его исполнившаяся мечта. И над ним больше не висит всефольксвагеновская традиция тасовать кадры между брендами («спасибо, ваш следующий проект — Seat Ibiza»).

Главные линии, которые на гладких боках Мерседесов прорисованы лишь отражениями, на Bentley подчеркнуты «обратными» выштамповками. Эта фольксвагеновская манера козырять своим дорогим штамповым оборудованием вслед за Шкодой и Audi докатилась до Bentley. Мне такие «фаски» кажутся избыточными, но это дело вкуса.

Или директор всего модельного ряда Питер Гест. В свое время он запускал Aston Martin DB7, который мог бы стать Ягуаром — от купе на платформе XJS отказались в Jaguar, зато согласием ответил Aston Martin. «Уверен, что у нас ему лучше», — представляет коллегу Уэйн Брюс, глава коммуникаций, — «в Bentley не приходится прилаживать к спорткарам задние фонари от Мазды 323».

В ответ Уэйн Брюс тут же получает шутку от Зилаффа, который называет его Мэн Бэт (имя Бэтмена в миру — Брюс Уэйн). Да и вообще, вместо конференц-зала мы сидим в спальне апартаментов имени Принцессы Грейс легендарного Отеля де Пари в Монте Карло, а презентация начинается со слов «кому налить ещё?» Почему вообще Bentley можно представлять в такой расслабленной обстановке?

Привычная диагональная сетка в решетке Flying Spur тоже есть. Она черная и прячется позади хромированных планок

Да потому что теперь нет надобности делать серьезную мину при плохой игре. На прошлом Flying Spur W12 S разве что на боку аршинными буквами не писали «самый быстрый что-то там среди чего-то там». Самый мощный в ряду 635 сильный седан разгонялся до 325 километров в час, но «сотню» набирал за 4,5 секунды. Об этом и говорить неловко на фоне Mercedes-AMG S 63 (3,5 c) или BMW M760Li (3,7 c).

Теперь же полегчавший на 38 кг (всего-то!) Flying Spur без всякой литеры S разменивает 100 км/ч за 3,8 секунды, имея те же 635 сил. И разгоняется до 333 километров в час.

Еще лет десять назад считалось нормальным переплачивать за люксовый бренд и получать меньше, чем у немецких премиум-марок.

Сегодня такое уже не прокатит: толстые ковры и дерево под матовым лаком уже не котируются без Apple Car Play. Если у прежнего Flying Spur еще был биксенон и одна массажная программа, то у нового, разумеется, матричные светодиоды и пять вариантов массажа.

И сегодня уже непонятно, почему предшественнику прощали 8-дюймовый дисплей низкого разрешения, старомодные приборы и всего одну камеру заднего вида. Кажется, ретроградство постепенно выходит из моды. Никому и в голову не придет сокрушаться по классическому рычагу автомата, отмахиваться от полного набора систем активной безопасности или ругать полностью цифровую панель приборов — она красива, как пейзажи в голливудском кино, а стиль «циферблатов» напоминает TAG Heuer Carrera и другие «тахиметрические» хронографы.

С планшета на заднем ряду теперь можно управлять не только климатом, но и мультимедией, закрывать шторки или убирать (зачем-то) накапотный маскот в виде крылатой литеры В, который теперь подсвечивается.

От обычной «пневматики» с электронными амортизаторами Flying Spur сразу перепрыгнул на платформу с подруливающей задней осью, активной трехкамерной пневмоподвеской (стойки теперь вмещают на 60% больше воздуха) и электромеханическими стабилизаторами поперечной устойчивости на 48-вольтовой бортовой сети.

Наша первая поездка — не за рулем. На заднем сиденье играю с планшетом, который не управляет разве что закатом солнца и рулевым колесом. Оказывается, вентиляцию и подогрев сидений можно включить одновременно (не спрашивайте). Уровень плавности хода — «ковер-самолет», но по одним только шоссе Лазурного берега делать выводы рано. А главное впечатление — тишина. Ничего не шелестит (коэффициет лобового сопротивления — всего 0,298) и не гудит: шины будто кто-то попросил помолчать, пока мы не доедем. Пожалуй, Flying Spur больше не уступает Майбаху в основных «пассажирских» дисциплинах.

Но почему-то очень хочется за руль. Раньше водительское место Flying Spur напоминало Франкфурт: ни один человек в своем уме не попросится туда в отпуск, но если ты уже оказался там, скорее всего, сочтешь город довольно приятным. Теперь же место за рулем — скорее Биарриц, куда стремишься за красотой и удовольствиями. Спереди прекрасно всё: и трехгранная панель с 12,3-дюймовым экраном (или без оного, смотря как повернуть), и новая «алмазная» насечка на всех металлических крутилках, как на Continental GT, и неподвижная окантовка «невидимых» вентиляционных решеток.

К интерьеру привыкаешь мгновенно: от Фольксвагенов теперь берут только подход к эргономике, а не конкретные решения или блоки. В путь! Из тесного, растущего чуть ли не на вертикальных скалах Монте-Карло удалось улизнуть неожиданно легко. Теснота — второе имя этих запутанных улочек. Царскую ширину седана, увы, не спрячешь, но повороты в узких местах даются ему неожиданно легко — спасибо рулевому механизму на задней оси.

Впереди шоссе и (зачем-то) извилистые горные дорожки. Крупный Bentley проворно нанизывает шпильки на свое 5,3-метровое тело с легкостью, недоступной предшественнику. Разгон по-прежнему происходит как будто не с тобой, а где-то на экране. Но проекция скорости на этот «экран» достигает трехзначных цифр значительно быстрее.

Трансмиссию ZF с восьмью ступенями и двумя сцеплениями перекалибровали, чтобы повысить комфорт движения на малой скорости. И все же она порой допускает резкое переключение между двумя первыми передачами — эту её врожденную конструктивную особенность пытались победить еще на Continental GT, но с ней, скорее всего, придется смириться. Почему бы и нет — все остальное коробка делает безупречно. Плавно стартует, своевременно и незаметно переключается.

Большую часть времени за рулем о такой прозе, как коробка передач, не вспоминаешь вовсе. Возможно, дело и в ломовом моменте 12-цилиндрового мотора: 900 «ньютонов» доступны уже с 1350 об/мин. При этом тысяч до четырех оборотов двигатель почти не слышен, ну а дальше уж точно не раздражает слух.

Так выглядит исполнение Blackline с черной отделкой вместо хрома. Живьем смотрится очень здорово

За причудливую W-образную конфигурацию двигателя в Bentley держатся с 2003 года. Логично было бы избавиться от нее при первой возможности, но теперь она стала визитной карточкой марки. И нынешний W12 — самый прогрессивный из больших моторов концерна. Тут и двухмассовый маховик (раз уж у трансмиссии нет гидротрансформатора), и малоинерционные турбины, и комбинированная система впрыска, и старт-стоп, и функция отключения шести цилиндров на частичных нагрузках.

Bentley Flying Spur V8 ( 2015 )

Bentley Flying Spur V8

A new V8 powertrain is being introduced to the Bentley Flying Spur, giving customers the option of a new interpretation of this luxury sedan. Complementing the Flying Spur flagship W12 model, the V8 sedan provides the opportunity to experience the Flying Spur’s unique blend of sculpted, sleek coachwork, exquisite craftsmanship and advanced on-board technology. The Flying Spur V8 will draw new customers to Bentley, looking to upgrade from a premium sedan.

Bentley’s renowned 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 engine develops 507 PS (500 bhp / 373 kW) and 660 Nm, powering the Bentley Flying Spur V8 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds) and on to a top speed of 183 mph (295 km/h). This impressive performance comes with a fuel range of 520 miles (840 km), thanks to the highly efficient engine that includes cylinder deactivation, intelligent thermal management and electrical recuperation.

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

The Bentley Flying Spur V8 comes complete with a suite of on-board technology to make it an ideal place for work or relaxation on the move. An innovative Touch Screen Remote, deployed from the veneered rear centre console at the touch of a button, allows control of the car’s climate and infotainment systems from the comfort of the rear seat, while the optional Multimedia Specification brings an extensive Rear Seat Entertainment system.

The Bentley Flying Spur V8 has a monotone interior colour split, Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus wood veneer, a single-piece three-person rear seat, single front armrest, 19″ Classic alloy wheels in a painted finish and a choice of seven exterior paints and four interior colours.

Customer deliveries of the new Bentley Flying Spur V8 will commence in spring 2014.

Bentley покажет в Женеве бюджетный седан

Компания Bentley представит на Женевском автосалоне обновленные, более мощные купе и кабриолет Continental GT Speed, а также седан Flying Spur с 507-сильным мотором V8 4.0. Седан Bentley Flying Spur V8 поступит к дилерам весной 2014 года.

Bentley > Continental

Bentley Flying Spur V8

На грядущем автосалоне в Женеве главными, если не единственными, новинками марки Bentley окажутся новый седан Flying Spur V8 и слегка обновленная флагманская двухдверка Continental GT Speed. Первая модель должна доказать, что представительский Bentley может быть экономичным и четырехцилиндровым, а вторая призвана еще раз подчеркнуть скоростное доминирование британских гран туризмо.

Bentley-Flying_Spur_V8_2015_1600x1200_wallpaper_05

Более интересен, конечно же, уже знакомый нам Flying Spur с новым силовым агрегатом. Это первый «лимузин» линейки Continental (хотя в имени модели это уже не отражено) с мотором V8 вместо W12 и по совместительству самый доступный и экономичный седан в гамме. Для фирмы Bentley, впрочем, этот ДВС не нов — точно такой же битурбо-V8 4.0 давно устанавливают на купе и кабриолеты Continental GT V8, а также, к слову, на большие Audi S/RS. Под капотом четырехдверки прогрессивный двигатель, умеющий отключать половину цилиндров при неполной нагрузке, развивает пиковые 507 л.с. и 660 Нм. Этой производительности хватает для того, чтобы тяжелая машина могла разгоняться с нуля до 100 км/ч всего за 5,2 с и набирала скорость 295 км/ч.

Bentley Continental GT Speed

Что до модернизированных купе-фастбека и кабриолета Continental GT Speed, то они примечательны тем, что в очередной раз стали рекордсменами — отныне максимальная скорость четырехместных двухдверок составляет соответственно 331 и 327 км/ч (вместо 329 и 325 км/ч ранее). Такое небольшое достижение — в основном заслуга форсированного с 625 до 635 твинтурбомотора W12 6.0. Continental GT Speed нового модельного года, между прочим, отличается еще кое-чем: у него появились передний сплиттер, аэродинамические накладки на порогах, небольшой задний диффузор, затемненные фары и фонари, а также новый окрас кузова Candy Red и незначительные обновки в салоне.

Новые седан Bentley Flying Spur V8, а также купе и кабриолет Continental GT Speed официально дебютируют 4 марта. Первые поставки восьмицилиндрового «лимузина» запланированы на весну этого года.

2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8

Less Is More, More Or Less

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Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

Image Credit: Bentley

Image Credit: James Lipman / Bentley

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Despite Bentley’s reputation as a holier-than-thou, ultra-luxury brand, at the end of the day, the Big B is still a business. As such, ongoing trends like powertrain downsizing and model range expansion are more prevalent at Bentley than ever. Just look at the Continental range – what started as the GT W12 has expanded into the GTC W12, GT V8, GT V8 S, GTC V8, GTC V8 S, GT Speed and GTC Speed. Talk about “have it your way.”

But there’s good reason for that. So many of these vehicles, despite their hand-crafted, bespoke nature, are all – gasp! – plug-and-play exercises that allow Bentley to appeal to the broadest range of upper-lux buyers, while keeping development costs relatively low. It’s a move that’s indeed worked, the company managing to post healthy sales increases year after year. And that’s only going to get better, following the launch of the Flying Spur sedan last year, not to mention the upcoming, highly anticipated SUV that’s in the works. As Kevin Rose, Bentley’s member of the board for sales, marketing and aftersales told me recently, “The best years are yet to come.”

To further expand an already growing range, I recently hopped a plane to London to experience the second member of the Flying Spur family – the V8. This less-powerful Spur offers better fuel efficiency and a lower staring price, while not compromising any of the brand’s core values of luxury and refinement above all. But to paraphrase what executive editor Chris Paukert said when he drove the Conti GT V8 in 2012, this is indeed The Thinking Man’s Flying Spur. Here, less really is more.

Driving Notes

What makes this Flying Spur different from the ones before it is beneath the bonnet: a twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8, seen elsewhere in the greater Volkswagen Group portfolio under the hood of the Audi S8. In the Spur, this robust engine puts out 500 horsepower and 488 pound-feet of torque. Note that those figures represent decreases of 116 hp and 102 lb-ft versus the 12-cylinder model that senior editor Seyth Miersma drove in China last year.
On the surface, that seems like a huge loss. But hold on – run the two cars side by side, and the V8 is only half a second slower to 60 miles per hour (4.9 seconds, here), thanks in part to a 110-pound weight savings. What’s more, despite the Flying Spur’s quest of first and foremost being quiet and shielding you from the outside world, the V8 sounds a whole lot better, with a revvy, throaty quality, much like what you hear in the Audi.
There’s really nothing in this world that can quite compete with the pavement-warping thrust of the W12, but for what I imagine will be 95 percent of the Flying Spur’s driving scenarios, the V8 is more than adequate in terms of power. The eight-speed automatic transmission does a fine job of managing things, as well – you’ll never notice it’s there, unless you decide to click through the gears yourself via the column-mounted paddles. (Honestly, don’t.)
This combination of less power, less weight and an efficient transmission posts gains in the fuel economy department – the V8 model is estimated to achieve 14 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg highway, compared to 12/20 mpg city/highway in the W12.
Let me be clear: the 616-hp W12 Spur is great, but if I’m playing favorites, I’d rather drive the V8 car. On the more engaging roads through the English countryside, the happier-to-rev eight-pot is easier to keep on boil, and with 110 less pounds to lug around (a full 88 of which are due to the engine swap itself), the Spur doesn’t feel like quite a lummox when driven spiritedly.
Of course, this is still a 5,341-pound, all-wheel-drive sedan we’re talking about, with suspension geometry that’s a bit softer than the Continental or the Spur that came before it, so it’s not so much “tossing” as it is, well, let’s just go British and say “motoring.” Indeed, this car may be better to drive than its W12 counterpart, but only just. The Flying Spur still offers typically unnoticeable amounts of driver feedback, with nicely weighted (but light) steering, and an air suspension that keeps things copacetic while allowing only the necessary amounts of pitch and body roll to keep Sir from being thrown about in the back seat.
As Miersma rightly pointed out in his First Drive, the grip on offer largely comes down to the excellent all-wheel-drive system, and the fat tires, sized 19 inches in diameter here (20s are optional). Make no mistake, the Driver’s Bentley is still the Continental coupe, but the Spur isn’t completely muted in terms of enthusiastic voice. It’s quick and smooth, with an unmatched ride quality, all enhanced by the very subtle purr of the V8 underhood.
Other V8-model-specific differences include red badges on the exterior, and the unique, figure-eight shaped exhaust outlets around back. Other than that, it’s business as usual inside and out, so only your most discerning of colleagues at the country club will notice you’ve opted for a less-expensive version.
That means driver and passengers are treated to a truly top-notch experience inside the cabin, with only the finest fabrics sewn over the seats and doors, matched with 33 square feet of natural wood (crafted by hand, cured for 72 hours and clear-lacquered, by the way). It doesn’t even seem right to discuss things like fit and finish, or critique material selection, because as you can imagine, it’s all outstanding. The best stuff out there.
Bentley offers this sedan with three different rear seating arrangements – a two-plus-two, fixed-seat setup, a three-wide bench, or a contoured bench offering two-place seating. To rightly experience this, I was chauffeured into central London in the back of a fixed-seat car, featuring fully adjustable thrones, and pretty much every single amenity you could ever ask for. It’s second-best to the larger Mulsanne, sure, but I can’t see a single reason why anyone in this world would ever complain about the Spur’s accommodations. Of course, I reside in a wholly different tax bracket than target buyers, but still – I dare you to find something less-than-lovely in the Flying Spur’s rear accommodations.
Perhaps my only gripe with the Flying Spur is its navigation/infotainment system in the center stack up front, which both feels and looks a couple generations too old. It’s way too similar to the Volkswagen unit employed in cars like the last-gen Passat, and while it’s decently intuitive to use, it’s not pretty. Far less expensive fullsize sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and even Volkswagen Group’s own Audi A8 best the Flying Spur in the new and innovative tech category. Still, the system checks all the right boxes and works as advertised, so really, I’m just being picky. It also offers backseat residents control via the smart-phone-like Touch Screen Remote, which the Audi and Benz don’t yet have an answer for.
Flying Spur V8 models will start at $195,100 when they go on sale in the third quarter of this year – a decrease of $5,400 versus the W12. The higher-lux Mulliner specification comes in at $208,170, and as with all Bentley models, the configuration possibilities are literally infinite.
Bentley expects the V8 to account for a full 50 percent of Flying Spur sales here in the US, attracting new buyers to the brand in the process. From where I sit, I can’t see a single reason to not get the V8, unless you’ve got an extra $5,400 in your pocket (if you’re a customer, you likely do) and simply cannot settle for anything less than the top spec. It’s a better-driving version of an already astonishingly comfortable and competent luxury sedan. If this is what model expansion looks like in the world of Bentley, the best years are indeed yet to come.

2015 Bentley Flying Spur

Key specs of the base trim

Classic, elegant styling
Beautifully crafted interior
Quiet cabin
Comfortable seats, front and back
Personalization options

Lazy throttle response
Outdated multimedia system
Not as big inside as it is outside

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from the Cars.com expert editorial team

It may not be the most technologically advanced luxury car you can buy, but with its top-notch materials and traditional styling, the 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8 is certainly one of the classiest.

Ultra-luxury cars are a rare treat. Driving one makes you feel like someone special — being seen in one even more so. But when it comes right down to it, the underlying function of a bespoke luxury car like a Bentley and one that costs half as much isn’t all that different. The real difference comes in the details, like material quality, comfort, ease of use and customizability.

The Flying Spur is Bentley’s higher-volume sedan, costing a hundred grand less than a Mulsanne. It shares some underpinnings with parent company Volkswagen’s other premium offerings; both some of the car’s platform bits and its 6.0-liter W-12 engine, for instance, come from the Audi A8. But this is most definitely not a rebadged Audi; it is instead a far more old-school vision of luxury, one that hews to traditions the brand has held for decades. That truth is visible in details like the vent controls on the dash, gauges that use classic fonts, and seat forms and materials that are delightfully traditional.

New for 2015 is the arrival of a turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine from Audi, tuned for 500 horsepower. (Compare 2014 and 2015 Flying Spurs here.). Bentleys with W-12 engines are smooth as silk and deliver loads of torque, but does opting for the lesser engine bring lesser capa. Show full review

It may not be the most technologically advanced luxury car you can buy, but with its top-notch materials and traditional styling, the 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8 is certainly one of the classiest.

Exterior & Styling
The Flying Spur got a slightly revised look for the 2014 model year, cleaning up some of its lines and introducing a more conservative tail-end treatment. It’s still immediately recognizable as a Bentley — no doubt about that — with its four-lamp headlight configuration, upright grille and formal roofline. Bystanders immediately recognize what it is thanks to the “B” badges on the front fenders and wheels. Even in my test car’s Granite metallic paint, which blends into the background quite thoroughly in a Michigan winter, the car garnered plenty of waves, thumbs-up and comments in parking lots and gas stations.

How It Drives
I’ve driven Bentleys with the W-12 motor in the past, and they always struck me as smooth and powerful but not terribly emotionally satisfying. The big motor makes lots of thrust but not a whole lot of noise, not even from the turbochargers — which is presumably what Bentley buyers expect. The less expensive engine — the turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8 — makes 500 hp, 116 less than the W-12. You’ll likely never notice that power deficit, though, as the V-8 feels just as powerful and smooth, and is still more than adequate to power the Bentley with considerable alacrity.

What’s less enjoyable is the V-8’s lazy throttle response, even when shifted into Sport mode. The first half-inch of accelerator travel doesn’t do much of anything, making you put your foot into it further — which then becomes too much input, making the car lurch at lower gears. It’s a frustrating design quirk, and not one I recall from a recent drive of a Bentley Continental V-8 S. One eventually gets used to it and anticipates it, but that doesn’t make it any more welcome.

Once underway, the V-8 is delightful, with plenty of highway power for passing; you’ll never miss the W-12. The ride is as smooth as one would expect for such a large, cushy car, and it’s admirably silent to boot. Steering is nicely weighted, but this is a very heavy car, and it doesn’t feel athletically inclined in the slightest. You may as well adjust the various settings to their most comfortable modes and leave them there, using the Flying Spur more as a limousine than a sport sedan. Even in those softest settings for steering and suspension, however, the car never feels wallowy or ponderous (aside from the aforementioned throttle issue). The brakes are firm and progressive, providing excellent fade-free feedback — not that you’re likely to drive the Flying Spur in a manner that would overtax its abilities.

Fuel economy for the big V-8 sedan is rated at a surprising 14/24/17 mpg city/highway/combined — surprising in that this is a very heavy car with a big V-8 that can still cruise at 24 mpg on the highway. My driving netted an average of 20 mpg in what was admittedly a week biased more toward highway than city traffic. Competitors in this class all have 12-cylinder engines: The Rolls-Royce Ghost has one, netting 13/21/15 mpg, as does the Aston Martin Rapide, which is rated at 14/22/17 mpg. The Mercedes-Benz S600 also features a V-12, with estimated mileage of 13/21/15 mpg. The V-8 Bentley bests them all in fuel economy, though why that’s really important in this rarified air eludes me; if you can afford these cars, worries about saving money on gas are likely not a priority in your vehicle selection process.

Interior
The driving experience may not be extraordinary, but the interior of my test car certainly was. Approaching my Spur in its rather drab Granite gray exterior paint, I certainly wasn’t expecting what’s inside: leather hides done up in blood-red Hotspur, complemented by shiny, machine-turned aluminum trim panels and glossy piano-black consoles. It’s absolutely striking and provides an amazing contrast to the stealthy exterior — and shows what’s possible with customizing options.

As with all Bentleys, interior quality is also exceptional. Hand-stitched leather covers everything that isn’t aluminum, wood or black lacquer. Plastic is kept to a minimum, but what plastic there is seems to be of equally good quality, thickness and heft.

Seating comfort is also excellent, with perfectly sized chairs for driver and passengers covered in lovely, thick, diamond-quilted leather. The seat forms are more of an old-school design, however — remarkably flat and firm instead of the more contoured, bolstered chairs that modern luxury cars offer. They’re plenty comfortable, and you won’t be taking corners in a spirited fashion, anyway, so their lack of lateral support isn’t much of an issue.

Despite the car’s exterior dimensions, the cabin isn’t as big as you might expect. Legroom front and rear is ample, but headroom is tight; it’s not so much a matter of the roof being low as it is the floor being unusually high. That impacts rear visibility a bit, and with limited electronic assistance aids (no blind spot warning system is offered), changing lanes requires lots of diligent attention.

Ergonomics & Electronics
For a car this expensive and recently refreshed, the interior electronics are disappointing. The system used by the Flying Spur is very obviously one used by Volkswagen in its larger, older vehicles; the screen layouts and fonts are the same. This is unusual, given the bigger Bentley Mulsanne uses the MMI system found in high-end Audis. The Flying Spur’s out-of-date system works reasonably well, yet it struggled when asked to connect with and stream music from the latest smartphones. Adherence to old-world tradition may be something coveted by Bentley owners, but there’s really no excuse for having an out-of-date multimedia system in a car this pricey.

The Flying Spur’s $7,785 Naim premium audio system sounds decent but doesn’t have the impressive sound reproduction of other high-end systems, like Mercedes’ Burmester or even Audi’s own Bang & Olufsen system.

The rest of the controls are well-laid-out and function well, with a solidity that feels representative of the car’s cost. The one irksome deviation is the location of the turn-signal stalk, which is located low and to the left of the steering wheel. Where one would expect the turn-signal stalk to be, higher up, is instead the transmission paddle shifter, a truly useless affectation in a car like this. If Bentley were to eliminate the paddle shifters and relocate the turn-signal stalk, it would be a move for the better.

Cargo & Storage
The Flying Spur has a decently large trunk — larger than most of its competition. The Flying Spur sports 16.8 cubic feet of cargo space in its trunk, bigger than the Ghost’s 14.0 cubic feet or the S-Class’ 16.3 cubic feet. The Rapide provides only 7.8 cubic feet of luggage room, but it’s a hatchback and its rear seats fold down, allowing a potential 31.3 cubic feet of cargo room when required. By comparison, the typical Honda Accord’s trunk offers 15.8 cubic feet and the Chevrolet Impala has 18.8 cubic feet.

Safety
Like all low-volume, ultra-luxury models, the Flying Spur has not been crash-tested.

Unlike some lesser brands, Bentleys tend to not have the same level of safety equipment and electronic driving aids as some competitors. Making only a few thousand cars a year can make developing such systems prohibitively expensive, but one would think Bentley could lean on Volkswagen’s deep technology bench to improve the systems in its top luxury brand. Available in cars costing a tenth of the Bentley’s sticker price, systems like blind spot warning, lane keeping assist, forward collision alert and lane departure warning are simply not available on the Flying Spur. Antilock brakes, traction control and all-wheel drive are standard, but those are unremarkable in these days of nearly self-driving Mercedes. You can see what equipment the Flying Spur does have here.

Value in Its Class
It’s hard to talk about value in a car whose floormats alone cost $500, but one can certainly draw comparisons versus other machines in this category. My test car started with a base price of $204,725 including a $1,000 gas-guzzler tax and a hefty $2,725 destination charge. It quickly rises from there, with options like the $18,635 Mulliner Color Specification Package, $5,715 for custom exterior paint, a $2,220 refrigerated bottle-cooler for the rear seats, $7,595 for a rear-seat entertainment system, $1,555 for red-painted brake calipers and much, much more. My car featured a full $56,140 in options, for a grand total of $260,865 as-tested.

Closest in mission (if not exactly price) is the Rolls-Royce Ghost, a sedan loosely based on the BMW 7 Series that’s meant to fill a less expensive niche than the bigger Phantom. The Ghost comes with a V-12 engine and starts at $289,250 without its gas guzzler tax, nearly a third more than the base Flying Spur (though few Spurs ever leave the factory anywhere close to base price). A more intriguing alternative might be the Aston Martin Rapide, a four-door sport sedan that starts at $206,120. It’s even rarer than a Flying Spur and also features a V-12 engine, but doesn’t come with anywhere near the interior passenger space of the Bentley. It also doesn’t come with the Bentley’s portly weight, coming in nearly 1,000 pounds lighter.

If you’re willing to trade a little exclusivity and customizability for some state-of-the-art technology, the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG is a valid alternative, featuring a V-12 engine, an interior that’s easily as luxurious as the Bentley’s and an amazing array of electronic safety systems. Compare all four super-luxury cars here.

Bentley Flying Spur 2015 V8

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Mileage: 29,250

Location: Houston, TX 77057

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Test Driving the 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8

Gallery: 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8

Every time I drive a Bentley, my spirit is elevated. I walk taller, I speak more clearly, I am more composed. This week, after driving the 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8, I feel smarter, too. I can now confidently recommend my favorite vehicle in the Bentley lineup.

A brief refresher on the current Bentley lineup: The Mulsanne stands as the flagship full-size sedan, available in three trim levels. The Flying Spur is the performance sedan, available with a W12 or V8 engine. The Continental comes in ten two-door variants, from GT3 to Convertible. We’re promised an SUV, the Bentayga, in 2016.

On balance, that puts the Flying Spur V8 right smack in the middle of the lineup.

Luxury is a given with Bentley. In the Flying Spur V8, that translates into an incredible level of craftsmanship, fit and finish. Every surface that you encounter is deliciously rich and textured, from the fine leather seats to the gnurled metal buttons and dials. The seating position in the Flying Spur’s driver’s seat is comfortably upright, with knees bent and a good view across the big hood.

Access to the second row is easy, with wide rear door openings and ample leg and head room. The cabin is trimmed with real wood, metal and leather throughout, and the expected amenities like heated/ventilated front seats and LED interior lighting are all present. My test vehicle included additional optional luxuries, like Hand Cross Stitching ($3,860), a Full Length Center Console (($3,995), a Refrigerated Bottle Cooler tucked in the rear seat ($2,180), Veneered Picnic Tables for the rear seats ($2,040), “Naim for Bentley” Premium Audio ($7,630) and Multimedia Rear Seat Entertainment and Connectivity ($7,445), making the Flying Spur an excellent executive conveyance.

The second row of the Spur would serve as a superb mobile office for the busy CEO with a driver. While not as cavernous as the apartment in the rear of the Mulsanne, the Spur’s second row is never cramped, even with the front seats at full extension.

The 4.0-liter V8 engine has great character, even if it doesn’t have the overwhelming thrust of the W-12. Twin turbochargers help to push 500 hp and 488 lb-ft of torque through the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission to a continuous all-wheel drive system with a 40/60 front/rear balance. Claimed 0-60 time is 4.9 seconds, and 100 mph arrives in just 11.2 seconds, which is mighty fast for a 5,341-lb sedan. Top speed (which I did not test) is 183 mph. The EPA estimates that the Flying Spur V8 can achieve 14 mpg city/24 mpg highway/17 mpg combined, which earns the Spur a $1,000 Gas Guzzler Tax.

Driving the Flying Spur V8 is a dream. For a big car, it is surprisingly nimble. Handling is sharp and controlled, with adjustments to suspension easily available via a button in the center console or via the command screen. I tended to choose Sport settings when I was driving alone, and pushed more toward Comfort when I had passengers, especially in the second row. Once they settled in to the luxurious cabin and we were underway, my passengers all remarked at how quiet the environment was, and how easy it was to maintain normal levels of conversation. Little wind, tire or engine noise penetrates the Spur, which simply whooshes along the road in its own cocoon of serenity.

Of course, the Flying Spur V8 doesn’t come cheaply. List price is $195,100, and my test vehicle, with its luxury enhancements, priced out at $248,170. Other performance luxury sedans to cons > Audi S8, Porsche Panamera Turbo S Executive and Maserati Quattroporte GTS.

I’ve settled on the Flying Spur V8 as my favorite Bentley because it does everything I want a Bentley to do, but in a balanced fashion. It’s fun to drive and delivers great, useable performance. It’s roomy and comfortable, but still manageable and nimble. In short, it’s the perfect compromise between a Mulsanne and a Continental. And that’s a pretty nice place to land.

Gallery: 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8

On balance, that puts the Flying Spur V8 right smack in the middle of the lineup.