The new Bentley Flying Spur Speed is the most powerful version of the sedan yet, but sadly it will be “one of the last models” to feature 12 cylinders arranged in a W-shape.
With the W12 era drawing to a close, and Bentley’s stated desire to launch its first electric vehicle in 2025 ahead of a switch to a fully electric line-up by 2030, the Speed is now the only Flying Spur to offer Bentley’s iconic engine.
The 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine is taken straight from the Continental GT Speed coupe and convertible. Rated at 467kW of power and 900Nm of torque, it produces 63kW and 130Nm more than the standard W12.
It sends power to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Bentley says it’s capable of completing the 0-100km/h standard in 3.8 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 333km/h.
For context, the Continental GT Speed coupe is 0.2 seconds quicker, and the convertible just 0.1 seconds faster to the tonne. The sedan also has a 2km/h lower top speed.
To keep the 5.3m long sedan feeling nimble, there’s a standard all-wheel steering system which points the rear wheels slightly in the opposite direction at low speeds. At higher speeds the rear wheels point in the same direction as the front pair to help improve stability.
The 48V Dynamic Ride System uses an electronic actuator to control the stiffness of the anti-roll bar to keep the car as flat as possible through corners, while not reducing ride quality to that of a shopping cart.
Stopping ability comes courtesy of the “largest iron brakes in the world”, with the front discs measuring 420mm in diameter. Glossy red calipers are standard, while gloss black ones are an optional extra.
Like most things on the Flying Spur, the Speed’s 22-inch alloy wheels can be customised, with the rims available in two designs and a number of different finishes, including grey, gloss black and silver.
Other standard fittings include jewelled petrol and oil filler caps, sportier graphics for the instrumentation display, Speed badges, and a dark tint for the grille, headlights and tail-lights.
As for seating, the front seats offer 24-way electronic adjustment, with 14-way adjustment at the back. All seats come with heating, ventilation, massaging, two memory settings, and a mixture of leather and faux suede upholstery.
Available options include up to 15 different leather choices, at least four different types of wood inserts, blacked-out chrome components, and splitters, skirts, diffuser and rear spoiler crafted from carbon-fibre.
