BENTLEY Flying Spur - First Edition 467kw (635HP) full view interior - exterior

Bentley Flying Spur
Starting at $261.460

00:00 Exterior
03:53 Interior
14:36 Trunk and engine
15:40 Special outro

HIGHS
High-class cabin, stately exterior styling, surprisingly athletic chassis.

LOWS
Hefty entry price, horrifying fuel-economy estimates, driver-assistance tech costs extra.

VERDICT
Even as the entry point to the Bentley sedan lineup, the Flying Spur is still dripping in elegance and offers undeniable curb appeal.

Overview
If you're among the few who consider a Porsche Panamera or a Mercedes-Benz S-class too dime-a-dozen, the Bentley Flying Spur should be at the top of your list. Everything here—from the twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine to the richly appointed cabin—is uncompromised in its quality and craftsmanship, which is how Bentley can justify the car's starting price. While it's true that this luxury limousine is merely the entry point to the world of Bentley—the larger and vastly more expensive Mulsanne is the next step up—the experience it provides is wholly beau monde.

Pricing and Which One to Buy
$261,460

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
For now, all Flying Spurs come with an eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, and Bentley's powerful twin-turbocharged W-12 engine that makes 626 horsepower. A 542-hp V-8 engine will join the lineup later on. With the 12-cylinder under the hood, Bentley claims the Flying Spur will leap to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, a figure we expect will prove conservative. Once we get the chance to test one ourselves, we'll update this story with results. We were able to take the new model for a brief drive near Monaco, where we found the Flying Spur to be a far more athletic driver than we anticipated. Credit for that agility must go to the sedan's adaptive suspension and rear-wheel-steering system.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Flying Spur's fuel-economy estimates from the EPA look as though they're for a pickup truck rather than a sedan, earning 12 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined. The forthcoming V-8-powered variant may offer slightly better ratings, but we're not expecting a miracle. The Flying Spur's chief rival—the Rolls-Royce Ghost—doesn't fare any better here, but the Mercedes-Maybach S560 managed to earn a 25-mpg highway estimate, making it a better choice for those looking to conserve fuel.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Sumptuous leather, genuine wood trim, and real metal accents line the Flying Spur's interior. In the front or back, there's plenty of space for adults to stretch out and enjoy the luxurious environs. Bentley's interior designers managed to preserve the brand's prim and proper styling while incorporating modern tech features. A remote touchscreen controller mounted to the rear of the center console allows rear-seat riders to adjust certain things without asking the driver for assistance. For instance, you can use it to open and close the window shades, adjust the cabin climate, and activate the rear-seat massagers. A generously sized trunk offers plenty of space for luggage, cases of champagne, or a day's worth of impulse shopping on Rodeo Drive.

Read more: https://www.caranddriver.com/bentley/...

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