The most powerful four-door Bentley ever.
At the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show, Bentley will unveil its all-new second-generation Continental Flying Spur that is now the most powerful four-door model from Crewe ever. Virtually every aspect of the super-luxury grand touring performance sedan has been improved upon ranging from the engine to the cabin to create the ultimate in luxury driving.
The new Continental Flying Spur combines a sense of sleek and dynamic style with a classic Bentley design. The entire sedan is lower and wider than the previous-generation model and features sculpted panels, a pair of muscular rear haunches, and smooth surfaces. A sharp line runs from the Bentley “B” motif-styled front fenders and runs to the rear bumper to create a powerful form. The front wears a more pronounced chrome grille flanked by four LED headlights while a new lower air intake runs the entire length of the bumper and features an integrated chrome strip to emphasize the width of the car. The power and performance of the new Bentley Continental Flying Spur is created through the use of muscular rear haunches that flow into a set of single-ellipse rear LED taillights with rectangular housings similar to those worn by the Bentley EXP 9 F concept SUV.
Much of the body and underpinnings were engineered to reduce weight while also reducing exterior noise for comfort and safety. Aluminum was used to create the hood and front fenders while new reinforcements were added to the B-posts, sills, and cross members for safety. Each door was redesigned to use fewer parts and packed with new insulation to reduce noise while a new trunk lid is constructed from polymer composite. The torsional stiffness of the entire Flying Spur is a superb 36,500 Nm/degree, marking a four-percent improvement over the previous generation and a weight reduction of 50 kg (110.2 lbs). Even with the redesigned exterior, the drag coefficient is a mere 0.29 to contribute to an improvement in efficiency. Bentley also integrated lightweight acoustic panels to the underbody of the sedan, installed new side glazing to the front and rear windshield, and fitted improved sealing to the windows to reduce the exterior noise inside the cabin.
Making the Continental Flying Spur the most powerful four-door Bentley ever made is the 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W-12 engine that sports a new Bosch ME17 management system. Compared to the previous-generation model, the new Flying Spur has better torque management, improved turbocharger control, and better efficiency. Output is pegged at 625 PS (616 bhp) at 6,000 RPM and 580 lb-ft. (800 Nm) of torque starting at 2,000 RPM. The 6.0-liter engine will be paired up with the latest ZF quickshift eight-speed automatic that seamlessly shifts in under 200 milliseconds. Optimized gear ratios help to improve overall efficiency and contribute to an impressive (for a 12-cylinder) 19.2 mpg combined and 343 g/km – a 13-percent improvement. All of the power will be sent through the Bentley all-wheel drive system with a standard torque split of 40:60 (F:R) or up to 65-percent front to 85-percent rear for optimum traction. The powertrain will allow the super-luxury grand tourer to accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds and reach 100 mph in 9.5 ticks of the clock while reaching a top speed of 200 mph (322 km/h).
Many aspects of the chassis have been improved upon to create a smooth and luxurious ride while offering a bit of driving dynamics. Bentley has altered quite a bit with the spring rates being softened by 10- and 13-percent (front/rear), anti-roll bars by 13- and 15-percent, and lever bushes by at least 25-percent all around. The damper hydraulic specification has been paired up with an upgraded damper electronic control (CDC) that is soft at low speeds and increases at higher speeds. A two-stage lowering strategy is employed by the Flying Spur to help improve stability by lowering the front and rear axles by 5- and 10 mm at 121 mph and then again by 8- and 13 mm, respectively at 149 mph. New 19-inch Bentley Classic wheels will meet the road in a bright-painted or diamond-turned finish standard alongside optional 20-inch five-spoke, 21-inch six-spoke, and 21-inch ten-spoke variants.
Six-hundred new parts are featured throughout the interior of the new Bentley Continental Flying Spur. The only remaining parts carried over are the sun visors, grab handles, armrests, and bits from the front consoles and controls. A new contemporary design with advanced technology and infotainment is combined with that classic Bentley craftsmanship to create a beautiful atmosphere. Both four- and five-seat variants will be offered with all seats being outfitted in softer and more durable natural premium-quality leather in 12 different colors. New foam and densities have been used to improve the front and rear seats and offer 14-way adjustability with memory and lumbar functions, heating, and ventilation. In models equipped with four seats, the center console sweeps towards the rear seats from the front and includes a new storage case with smooth veneer. A nine-liter bottle cooler can be optionally installed behind the rear center armrest for an extra level of luxury.
The front dashboard and door panels will feature a new “wrap-around” design with book-matched, mirror-finished veneer seamlessly meeting at the doors and dash. Almost ten meters of sustainability-sourced wood is used throughout the entire interior that is cured for 72 hours, clear lacquered, and crafted by hand for that special Bentley touch. Even the roof liner and pillars are outfitted in leather to provide a unique sense of luxury inside the Flying Spur.
The Bentley Continental Flying Spur will offer passengers and driver a wealth of modern technology and control. A Central Infotainment system is featured in the center stack and utilizes an eight-inch display, and can be voice-controlled. Rear passengers will have the option to control everything from the seat heating to navigation and multimedia thanks to a Touch Screen Remote (TSR) that’s deployed from a housing in the rear console. As an option, customers can opt of a new Multi-Media Specification that features a Bentley Connectivity Unit (BCU) that allows for portable computers and devices to be paired up through USB and the vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot with an active SIM that accesses 64 MB of storage. Two 10-inch LCD screens are integrated into both front seatbacks and allow for each passenger to view separate content.
And eight-speaker, eight-channel sound system with Balanced Mode Radiator technology offers superb sound quality and can play various digital and traditional music formats. As an option, the Naim® for Bentley Premium Audio System can with 1,100-watts and redesigned separate subwoofers be installed for the ultimate audio experience.
Each Bentley Continental Flying Spur can be custom-tailored to each individual for a truly unique luxury performance sedan. Customers will be able to access the Mulliner Driving Specification for an even further range of options, colors, and trims. The new Flying Spur will be officially unveiled at the 83rd Geneva Motor Show on March 5th.
Bentley Continental Flying Spur Specifications
Engine:
Type: 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12
Maximum Power: 616 bhp / 460 kW / 625 PS at 6000 rev/min
Maximum Torque: 800 Nm / 590 lb.ft at 2000 rev/min
Transmission:
Type: ZF 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and wheel-mounted paddleshift.
Driveline: Continuous all-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias)
Ratios: 1st: 4.71; 2nd: 3.14; 3rd: 2.1; 4th: 1.67; 5th: 1.29; 6th: 1.00; 7th: 0.839; 8th: 0.667
Final Drive: 2.85
Performance:
Top speed: 200 mph / 322 km/h
0-60 mph: 4.3 secs
0-100 mph: 9.5 secs
0-100 km/h: 4.6 secs
0-160 km/h: 9.5 secs
Brakes:
Front: 405mm ventilated discs (optional 420mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled).
Rear: 335mm ventilated discs (optional 356mm, Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled).
Wheels and Tires:
Wheels: New 19″ (2 finishes), opt 9.5J x 20″, opt 9.5J x 21″ (3 designs)
Tires: 275/45 ZR19, 275/40 ZR20, 275/35 ZR21
Steering:
Type: Rack & pinion, power assisted, speed-sensitive ZF servotronic
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Turning circle: 11.7 m / 38.4 feet
Suspension:
Front: Four link double wishbones, computer controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar.
Rear: Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar.
Damping: Continuous Damping Control
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 3065 mm / 120.7 in
Overall length: 5295 mm / 208.5 in
Width (across body): 1976 mm / 77.8 in
Width (inc. mirrors): 2208 mm / 86.9 in
Overall height: 1488 mm / 58.6 in
Fuel tank: 90 litres / 20 UK gallons / 24 US gallons
Boot volume: 475 litres / 16.8 cu ft
Kerb weight (EU): 2475 kg / 5451 lb
Gross vehicle weight: 2972 kg / 6546 lb
Fuel Consumption (EU cycle):
Urban: 12.6 mpg (22.4 litres/100 km)
Extra Urban: 27.8 mpg (10.2 litres/100 km)
Combined: 19.2 mpg (14.7 litres/100 km)
CO2 emissions: 343 g /km
Fuel Consumption (EPA cycle):
City (US mpg): 12
Highway (US mpg): 20
Combined (US mpg): 15
Emissions Controls: EU 5 and US LEV II
Bentley Continental Flying Spur Gallery
[Source: Bentley]
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