Bentley Flying Spur Review: The Perfect Luxury Sports Sedan

The Bentley Flying Spur occupies a rare niche that few automobiles can credibly claim: it is at once a genuine driver’s machine and a supremely luxurious limousine. It delivers the contradiction with such polished finesse that the transition from cosseted rear-seat passenger to engaged pilot feels entirely natural. Beneath its sculpted bonnet, you’ll find the legendary 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12, or the lighter, more playful 4.0-litre V8, each offering a distinct flavour of power. This is a car that thunders from 0-60 mph in under four seconds yet wafts over broken asphalt like a magic carpet. It is, in every meaningful sense, the perfect luxury sports sedan.

The Flying Spur’s dual personality is no accident. Bentley engineers deliberately calibrated every component—from the 48-volt active anti-roll system to the three-chamber air springs—to satisfy two demanding masters. The result is a four-door that devours continents with aristocratic ease and shrinks winding B-roads with an agility that belies its 2.4-tonne mass. For the executive who refuses to choose between driving pleasure and passenger indulgence, the Flying Spur is the definitive answer.

Design: Muscular Elegance in Every Line

The Flying Spur’s design language is a powerful evolution of Bentley’s heritage. The long, assertive bonnet, the sharply defined haunches, and the fastback roofline create a stance that appears poised for launch even at a standstill. The matrix grille, inspired by the crown-cut crystal glass, catches light with a jewel-like intricacy, while the LED matrix headlamps, cut like flawless diamonds, project an unmistakable road presence. Each surface has been drawn taut, eliminating any hint of flab and replacing it with pure, athletic tension.

At the rear, the full-width tail lamps and discreetly integrated boot spoiler reinforce the car’s width and planted stance. The Flying Spur doesn’t rely on ornamentation to impress; it uses proportion and precision. The optional Blackline specification swaps bright chrome for darker, more contemporary accents, appealing to a younger, more dynamic clientele who prefer their luxury understated yet undeniably present. It’s a design that works brilliantly in the city and even better arriving at a private airfield.

"The Flying Spur dances between two worlds—a sumptuous first-class cabin and a sports car with a W12 heartbeat."

— TIMELESS GENIE FEEDS DESK

Interior: A Handcrafted Sanctuary

Open the door and the cabin envelops you in a symphony of leather, wood, and metal. Bentley’s artisans spend over 100 hours crafting each interior, and you can sense those man-hours in the smallest details: the perfect knurling on the organ-stop air vents, the cold touch of solid metal controls, and the aroma of rich hide that only comes from genuine, uncoated leather. The seats offer heating, ventilation, and five massage programmes, ensuring that even the longest journey ends without a trace of fatigue.

For rear passengers, the optional Bentley Rear Entertainment system deploys twin 10.1-inch touchscreens, while the centre console can house a champagne cooler and crystal flutes. A Naim for Bentley audio system with 2,200 watts wraps occupants in an acoustic experience that rivals the finest home hi-fi. The Flying Spur’s cabin is a space of profound tranquility, yet it never feels antiseptic; it remains warm, engaging, and deeply personal. The entire interior design speaks to Bentley’s mastery of blending old-world craftsmanship with intuitive, modern technology.

Powertrains: The W12 Heart and V8 Soul

The Flying Spur’s defining mechanical choice centres on two exceptional petrol engines. The 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 delivers a majestic 626 horsepower and 900 Nm of torque, thrusting the Spur to 60 mph in a mere 3.7 seconds. It’s an engine of immense, effortless authority, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that swaps cogs with velvet precision. The W12 feels inexhaustible, its power delivery utterly linear, making overtaking manoeuvres shrink to a flex of the ankle.

For those who prefer a sharper edge, the 4.0-litre V8 sheds weight over the front axle, sharpening turn-in and imbuing the chassis with a more playful, responsive character. With 542 horsepower and 770 Nm, the V8 still catapults the Spur to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, accompanied by a sonorous, guttural soundtrack that the W12 deliberately muffles. A plug-in hybrid variant further extends the range with silent electric wafting for urban environments. Every variant shares the same sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and active all-wheel steering, which reduces the turning circle and adds high-speed stability.

The Art of Bespoke: Mulliner’s Touch

Bentley’s Mulliner personalisation division elevates the Flying Spur from a luxury car to a personal masterpiece. Clients can choose from thousands of paint colours, hand-cross-stitched leather patterns, and even specify stone veneers or carbon fibre inlays for the dashboard. The bespoke process can involve one-on-one consultations with Mulliner’s designers, who translate a client’s vision into tangible automotive art. It’s a level of customisation that ensures no two Flying Spurs ever leave Crewe exactly the same.

Popular requests include illuminated treadplates engraved with a family crest, deep-pile lambswool carpets, and picnic sets housed in the boot. The Mulliner Driving Specification adds unique 22-inch wheels, diamond-in-diamond quilting, and a sports-tuned exhaust. For those who truly want a one-off, Mulliner will even develop a completely new paint hue or leather colour, a process that can take months but results in a motor car that bears the owner’s creative signature in every fibre.

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine options are available for the Bentley Flying Spur?

The Flying Spur offers a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 with 626 horsepower, a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 542 horsepower, and a V6 plug-in hybrid for electrified luxury. The W12 remains the flagship for effortless surge, while the V8 sharpens the car’s agility and reduces weight over the front axle.

How does the Flying Spur compare to the Rolls-Royce Ghost?

Both are luxurious British saloons, but the Flying Spur leans more toward sporty driving engagement. The Bentley offers a choice between driver-focused dynamics and rear-seat comfort, with a more extroverted design. The Ghost prioritises serene isolation and minimalist post-luxury, while the Flying Spur embraces a richer, more connected grand touring character.

Is the Bentley Flying Spur comfortable for long journeys?

Exceptionally so. The Flying Spur is a consummate grand tourer, with multi-adjustable massage seats, an air suspension that irons out undulations, and a whisper-quiet cabin. Rear-seat passengers enjoy generous legroom and optional entertainment screens, making transcontinental trips a relaxing delight.

What is Bentley Dynamic Ride?

Bentley Dynamic Ride is a 48-volt active anti-roll system that counteracts cornering forces. When you turn into a bend, electric motors instantly twist the anti-roll bars to keep the body flat, dramatically improving agility without compromising ride comfort. It’s a defining feature of the Flying Spur’s dual personality.

Can the Flying Spur be self-driven or is it better chauffeur-driven?

The Flying Spur excels in both roles. Its engaging handling and powerful engines entice the driver, yet the opulent rear cabin with available console, champagne cooler, and recline function make it equally suited to being chauffeured. It’s one of the few saloons that genuinely satisfies both desires.

The Definitive Grand Tourer

The Bentley Flying Spur exists for those who refuse to be categorised. It is a limousine that corners with purpose, a sports sedan that cossets, and a grand tourer that shrinks continents. Its breadth of talent is astonishing: the W12’s syrupy surge, the V8’s sharper fizz, and the hybrid’s silent progress all deliver a distinct flavour of the same extraordinary recipe. Add Mulliner’s personalisation, and you possess a motor car that is not merely driven but worn—like a perfectly tailored suit.

In a market increasingly dominated by SUVs and electrified crossovers, the Flying Spur remains a defiant celebration of the traditional luxury saloon, reimagined with cutting-edge technology and breathtaking performance. It is, quite simply, the perfect luxury sports sedan.