Exploring the Bentley Flying Spur: A Long-Legged Luxury Sedan I Actually Enjoy Driving
Some cars make you feel like the hired help. The Bentley Flying Spur is not one of them. The 2024 model takes what I’ve always loved about this grand tourer—silken power, dense build quality, a cabin that smells like an old-money library—and sharpens it with tech that genuinely works. I spent a long weekend in one, threading downtown traffic, stretching its legs on an empty turnpike at dawn, even poking down a cobbled lane to a favorite brunch spot. It never put a foot wrong. Well, almost never. We’ll get to that.
Brand legacy, modern edge: why the Bentley Flying Spur still matters
Bentley has been doing the opulent-speed thing since the days of silk hats and side pipes. The latest Flying Spur is the modern interpretation—properly hushed at 80 mph, yet willing to sprint. Whether you’re eyeing a pre-loved Flying Spur or placing a fresh order, the detailing speaks for itself: deep paint, crisp shut lines, switchgear with weight and intent.
Power and performance: the Bentley Flying Spur on the road
Under the polished bonnet, your flavor of excess awaits. There’s the Flying Spur V8—4.0-liter, twin-turbo, around 542 hp—my pick for balance. There’s also the plug-in hybrid (536 hp combined) that slips through town in eerie silence before waking the V6 and getting on with it. And if you can still snag one, the W12 in the Speed remains a proper Bentley party trick, a tidal wave of torque and a quoted top end of 207 mph. No, I didn’t see that number. Yes, you can feel the depth of the engineering long before triple digits.
What struck me right away was how tight the car feels when you ask it to shrink. The rear-wheel steering pivots the long body neatly into city bays and tight hotel driveways; out on the highway, it calms the big Bentley down like a weighted blanket. With adaptive cruise control engaged, it hums along drama-free. When I tried it on a pockmarked back road, the air suspension ironed out the worst while still letting me place the car precisely. It’s brisk, not brash.
- V8: ~542 hp, 0–60 mph ~4.0 sec, top speed around 198 mph
- Hybrid: 536 hp combined, 0–60 mph ~4.1–4.3 sec, electric-only driving around town
- W12 Speed: ~626 hp, 0–60 mph ~3.7 sec, 207 mph top speed (quoted)
Figures vary by specification; the sensation of effortlessness does not.
Inside the Bentley Flying Spur: craftsmanship that feels lived-in
I’ve sat in a lot of fancy cabins. Few feel as hand-finished as the Flying Spur. The leather is thick and fragrant, the stitching immaculate, the veneers deep enough to get lost in. I did one run with only the audio on and the windows cracked, just to hear it—the road hushes to a murmur while the stereo (Naim is the one to tick if you’re a sound nut) does its best studio impression. The rear seats? Think business-class lounge: reclining, heated and cooled, with space to cross your legs and read emails you’ll ignore anyway.
- Air suspension with a wide comfort-to-sport bandwidth
- Rear-wheel steering for city maneuverability and high-speed stability
- Available rotating center display (still a party trick that never gets old)
- Heated armrests and deep-pile carpets—quiet enough to hear your kids arguing in the back
Tech-wise, it’s modern without being shouty. Apple CarPlay is onboard for easy phone mirroring, and the driver-assistance suite is comprehensive. In my tester, the lane-keeping was gentle rather than nannying, the night vision spotted a stray dog before I did, and the parking sensors saved me from a curbstone that would’ve ruined my morning. My only gripe? The infotainment menus can be a beat behind if you stab through quickly. Maybe I was impatient. Maybe it was still waking up. Either way, not a deal-breaker.
Advanced technology that actually helps
The 2024 car layers in night vision, driver-assist features including lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, and that excellent adaptive cruise control. Combine it with the air suspension and you get a sedan that devours distance with the sort of composure that makes Alpine ski weekends feel like quick errands.
Did you know? Bentley will match veneers, stitching, and hides to a level that borders on obsessive. A few owners mentioned to me they’ve even color-matched to favorite handbags and vintage watch straps. It’s that sort of brand.
Flying Spur vs rivals: where the Bentley slots in
Against the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the Flying Spur feels more athletic—still a luxury sedan first, but with a driver’s-car undertone. Compared with a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the Bentley’s materials and sense of occasion edge it; the Maybach counters with gadget count and pricing latitude. And if you’re cross-shopping a Porsche Panamera, it’s the inverse: Porsche leads on pure sharpness, while the Bentley wins on theater.
| Model | Powertrain | 0–60 mph | Top speed | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley Flying Spur (V8/Hybrid/W12) | Twin-turbo V8; PHEV V6; twin-turbo W12 (Speed) | ~3.7–4.3 sec | 177–207 mph | Grand-touring poise with real pace |
| Rolls-Royce Ghost | Twin-turbo V12 | ~4.6 sec | 155 mph (limited) | Effortless waft, ultimate isolation |
| Mercedes-Maybach S580 | Biturbo V8 (48V mild-hybrid) | ~4.6–4.7 sec | ~130–155 mph | Back-seat royalty, tech-forward |
| Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid | V8 PHEV | ~3.0 sec | ~196 mph | Sportiest feel, sharper dynamics |
Personalization that goes beyond the paint sample
Part of the fun of a Bentley is speccing it. Mulliner will happily indulge wild palettes and embroidery. And if you’re into the small touches, AutoWin will let you personalize premium floor mats—color, stitching, materials—to mirror your cabin mood. Bentley owners obsess over these details for good reason: you touch them every day.
Everyday life with the Flying Spur
City center dinner, valet up front? The long hood and crisp jewelry make friends. Weekend escape with two suitcases and a case of wine? Easy. I did a 300-mile round trip with only a single refuel stop (coffee for me, premium for it) and got out fresher than I went in. Honest quibble: the seating position is set low and wide—glorious once you’re settled, a minor stretch if you regularly hop in and out. But the way it glides over rough surfaces makes it feel like driving in slippers, and I mean that as high praise.
Conclusion: should you buy a Bentley Flying Spur?
If you’re deciding between a chauffeur car and a driver’s car, the Bentley Flying Spur is cheerfully both. Whether you’re drawn to the V8, tempted by the serenity of the hybrid, or smitten with the last-of-the-line W12, it serves up opulence without the float. It’s the rare luxury sedan that encourages you to drive the long way home.
FAQ: Bentley Flying Spur
How much is the new Bentley Flying Spur?
The price of the new Bentley Flying Spur typically starts around $220,000 before options. Bespoke paints, veneers, audio, and Mulliner touches can move it well north of that.
Is the Bentley Flying Spur reliable?
Generally, yes. The Flying Spur is engineered to a very high standard and feels hewn from billet. As with any premium machine, proactive servicing is key to long-term happiness. A few owners mentioned to me that annual checkups and timely fluid changes make the car feel new for years.
What’s the 0–60 mph time and top speed?
Depending on spec, 0–60 mph ranges from about 3.7 seconds (W12 Speed) to just over 4 seconds (V8/Hybrid). Top speed runs from roughly 177 mph (Hybrid) to a quoted 207 mph (W12 Speed).
Does it have Apple CarPlay?
Yes—Apple CarPlay is included, making it easy to mirror your apps and music. I used it for maps and playlists the entire weekend; no drama, quick pairing.
How does it compare to a Rolls-Royce Ghost?
The Ghost is the ultimate in isolation; the Flying Spur is more engaging to drive. If you want a car to be driven in, Ghost. If you plan to do your own driving but still want a truly premium sedan, the Flying Spur hits the sweet spot.
