Muscular, sleek panels atop a wheelbase that’s 130mm longer than its predecessor are crafted in Super Form aluminium – first used on the Continental GT. There’s also a new retractable Flying B mascot – redesigned for Bentley’s centenary year – that rises, illuminated, when the driver approaches the Flying Spur using the keyless entry system.
Stefan Sielaff, Director of Design and Mulliner, Bentley Motors takes the mic and is clearly emotional about presenting his team’s creation to the world: “We are family here,” he smiles. “And I’m very proud to present the new Flying Spur to you all.
“We wanted to continue the luxury and performance of Bentley’s DNA while creating a new dynamism for the Flying Spur,” he continues. “At Bentley, we focus on proportions. So with the new Flying Spur we’ve moved the front wheel 130mm forward. There’s a slightly shorter front overhang, while the rear is slightly longer.
“The powerline and haunch are now separate to create different proportions,” he adds. “While in the front, the biggest change is the grille. We’ve increased it by 400mm and added the veins in front of the matrix to make it look more majestic.”
New Bentley Flying Spur Interior
After a walk around this beautiful grand tourer, I slide into the cabin where the luxurious refinement and styling continue and I’m cocooned in sensual Alcantara and hide (choose from 15 colours) surrounds. The cabin is now more spacious – replete with single and dual veneer wood specs and fluted leather seating, as well as the bespoke Mulliner diamond quilting on the seats. Attention to detail is at its zenith with the world’s first 3D diamond quilted leather door inserts. Options include a full-size, glass-to-glass panoramic sunroof and a choice of 17 portfolio Bentley colourways.
The centre-console boasts a rotating 12.3-inch HD touchscreen with three customisable digital faces, including analogue dials, compass and chronometer. In addition, the new Flying Spur has ‘sculptural’ centre vents to the front and rear, generous housing stowage alongside inductive ‘wireless’ charging and two USB sockets.
Such refined craftsmanship here and much of it handmade. It takes a whopping 11 hours just to craft a Flying Spur wood set.