Bentley Flying Spur - It doesn’t get any better than this

No need for a chauffeur

I’m not a good passenger. Given the choice, I always prefer to be driving rather than being driven. I don’t like riding in the back, and I always try to sit in the direction of travel when I’m on a train. I’d rather see where I’m going than where I’ve been. 

Since the age of about 11 or 12, when I started to drive tractors (Massey Ferguson 135 was my first), I’ve always enjoyed driving, so when the National Lottery people finally get around to letting me win the big one, surely only a matter of time, I shall be buying an expensive car that I can drive. 

Like this Bentley Flying Spur, for example. 

Is this a true driver’s car? You bet

At first glance, you’d think that the Flying Spur has now assumed the duties vacated by the departed Bentley Mulsanne and become the car of choice for those folk who want to be chauffeured around. 

But you’d be wrong. That role has been taken by the Bentayga SUV EWB version (Extended Wheelbase). Yes, even the well-heeled like to ride around in the back of a high riding, capable SUV.

Which probably explains why Bentley has made the latest Flying Spur into a seriously impressive driver’s car. 

More about the Mulliner

Four versions are available - Flying Spur, Azure, Speed and Mulliner.

The entry-level Flying Spur and the Azure model feature a slightly less powerful engine, aimed at the business community. However, I had the full-fat Flying Spur Mulliner, which receives special Mulliner coachwork treatment and has its power increased. The most noticeable exterior features are the duo-tone paintwork, additional chrome trim, a different front grille, and 10-spoke 22-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, there’s the addition of quilted leather on the seats and around the cabin, deep pile carpets and illuminated tread plates. That’s on top of the standard goodies such as heated front armrest, powered seats which have adjustable bolsters, seat cushion length and headrest. There’s a massage and ventilation function, as well as hidden trimmed seat belt buckles, which, let's face it, are a must-have. 

My car also came with Touring Specification, which adds a head-up display for the driver, adaptive cruise control and extra safety gizmos. This lifted the price of the Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner I drove to £244,100 (July 25).

Powertrain

As for the powertrain, the Flying Spur Speed and Flying Speed Mulliner use a brand new V8 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged hybrid engine, which is helped along by a 140kW electric motor. Add both together and you end up with a thumping 771bhp, which means this 2.6 tonne car can hurtle to the horizon with a 0-60mph time of 3.3 seconds. Arguably, the more impressive figure shows that the power hardly tails off because 100mph comes up in 7.5 seconds. Your overall top speed comes in at 167mph.

Economy is probably of little interest if you can afford this sort of car, but, for the record, Bentley reckons that if you use the hybrid system to its full extent, you’ll crack 202mpg. Spoiler alert…you won’t. With a battery full of juice, you’ll possibly get close to 50mpg on a steady journey, but with a depleted battery, you’ll be looking at the low 20s. The car I drove with a full battery and a full tank of petrol was showing a potential range of 410 miles. 

Electric only capability

The Flying Spur, thanks to the battery slung under the boot, can travel using electric power alone. Bentley reckons it can manage 47 miles before the engine joins the party, but my driver readout was showing 83 miles. This ability is doubly handy because, obviously, it saves fuel, but it also means you can avoid waking the neighbours if you need to leave home early or arrive back late. The V8 has the most wonderful exhaust note…you’ll love it, but other folk may get a tad irritated. 

Or tell them to stuff it and twist the driver mode dial to sport, and the engine never shuts down, even when you’re crawling through town and the hybrid comes into play. Sport mode also encourages the lower ratios in the gearbox to hang on to the revs. Power delivery via the 4-wheel drive system delivers more power to the rear wheels, allowing you to slingshot out of a corner. It’s all hugely impressive.  

Driving experience

Four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering come as standard, and power is delivered via an 8-speed gearbox with twin clutches. The ride is cushioned by adaptive dampers. If you are sitting in the back, all you’ll notice is that the ride is uncannily smooth, but for the lucky person in the driver’s seat, it means you really can hurl this car around. It’s very sure-footed and downright fun. 

Bentley knows that the car needs to cater for two possible styles of driving. The throttle has been designed to have a long throw at the start of its travel, but then it becomes more precise the further down you press the pedal. In other words, it allows you to make very gentle progress, or shove the pedal further towards the deep carpet, and the car bursts into life, giving the horses free rein to gallop. Nothing feels (or sounds) better than a Bentley at full pelt. 

Interior

And of course, the interior is an absolute delight. Opulence is hardly the word for it, and this is the finest example of British craftsmanship out there. The driving position can be altered in numerous directions, so you’re guaranteed to get comfy. Despite the size of the Flying Spur, the car is actually quite easy to place on the road. You sit fairly high up, and even though it’s a wide car, you can judge your distances with ease. 

A lot of these cars will be used as limos for carting people to the theatre, golf course, Michelin-star restaurant or family Swiss chalet. Consequently, the seats in the rear are sumptuous. There is loads of legroom and powered seats which offer a massage. You can opt for your own entertainment system and fridge for the champers. Naturally.  

Technology

One of our bugbears here at Driven is the way a lot of cars have gone too far down the techy route. If you want to open the glovebox on a Polestar, for example, you need to do so via the central touchscreen once you’ve found the relevant page. Nuts. The Bentley Flying Spur still has a touchscreen (it’s excellent), but there’s a plethora of buttons on a central panel behind the gear selector. Familiarity will allow you to dab them when required, so you’ll know where they are. 

Some of the technical stuff is on the dashboard. Not interested? No problem. Just rotate it to reveal a quilted panel. Simple but typical British styling. Classy and refined. 

In conclusion

The Bentley Bentayga EWB is now the go-to for chauffeuring duties. Good news for those of us who love driving. If you want a luxury limo that you’ll want to drive, or to take the family to the South of France or your favourite ski resort, then the Bentley Flying Spur is the one to take. It oozes luxury, gives the occupants everything they could possibly desire, but now, the driver gets everything they could desire as well. 

It doesn’t get any better than this.  

words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Bentley