The New Bentley Flying Spur V8 S: The Sporting Side Of Luxury

Bentley Motors has introduced a new model to its range – the Flying Spur V8 S. The Bentley Flying Spur V8 S will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month with first customer deliveries expected this the summer.

“Taking its place between the Flying Spur V8 and family flagship W12, the V8 S is tuned for power and performance, with increased engine output and revised suspension offering a more focused, precise driving experience,” said Sonny Morgan, of Late European. “The Flying Spur V8 S features a number of sporting styling cues which hint at its new and improved sporting capabilities.”

A black radiator grille and rear diffuser along with a unique grille insert give the new model a dramatic and purposeful appearance to match its enhanced performance.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: “The Flying Spur remains unrivaled in its ability to combine class-leading comfort with remarkable dynamic ability. It’s the perfect choice for the customer who wants ultimate refinement as well as an exhilarating, spirited drive.”

More Power, Sharper Handling, Same Class-Leading Comfort

Tuned for power, Bentley’s renowned 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 S engine develops an additional 21 PS, delivering 521 bhp. A mighty 502 lb.ft is on offer from 1,700 rpm. This powers the Flying Spur V8 from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, shaving 0.3 seconds from the V8’s already athletic sprint time. Top speed is 190 mph.

The increased performance is achieved without detriment to the V8 engine’s impressive fuel economy and CO₂ emissions, or its ability to cover more than 520 miles between fill-ups. The new Flying Spur V8 S returns a combined cycle fuel economy of 25.9 mpg and CO₂ emissions of 254 g/km.

This combination of power, performance and economy is the result of an array of advanced technologies employed in the design of the Bentley V8 engine. Variable displacement, in which four of the eight cylinders shut down when cruising, reduces fuel consumption without any loss of refinement. When more power is required, the engine switches back automatically and seamlessly to the full eight cylinders.

The high-technology V8 engine also features high pressure direct injection, low friction bearings, advanced thermal management, energy recuperation via the electrical charging system and innovative turbocharger packaging for greater efficiency.

According to Morgan, “Revisions made to both the engine and transmission calibrations have sharpened throttle response and made the Flying Spur V8 S’s power accessible lower down the rev range. In ‘S’ mode, drivers will find a sharper-still throttle response and additional engine braking from the transmission. Eighth gear is locked out when ‘S’ mode is engaged and the knurled paddle shifters are harmonized with the car’s new, sportier side.”

In modern Bentley tradition, power is delivered to the road via an all-wheel-drive system with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for a sure-footed, engaging drive in all road and weather conditions.

Complementing these power upgrades, a new responsive suspension tuning for the Flying Spur V8 S improves handling and body control, while the aluminum double-wishbone front and trapezoidal multi-link rear self-leveling air suspension with continuous damping control ensure that the Flying Spur’s legendary refinement is maintained.

Careful recalibration of the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system helps improve handling performance and ensures minimal degradation in ride comfort.

The Electronic Stability Control is also optimized for the Flying Spur V8 S. The retuned system allows increased wheel slip at higher speeds with engine torque reinstated more quickly after a system intervention. This provides the spirited driver more opportunity to exploit the full potential of the uprated chassis and increased power. Optional carbon ceramic brakes are available with red or black painted calipers.

However, despite these performance-focused chassis revisions, the Flying Spur V8 S retains its luxurious, limousine-smooth ride and legendary ability to transport passengers in unrivaled comfort.

Sporting Styling Cues Signal Performance Intent

The Flying Spur V8 S receives dark and sporting exterior highlights. Bentley’s iconic matrix grille is black as standard and together with a Beluga gloss rear diffuser give the Flying Spur V8 S a dramatic on-road presence.

“The V8 S is clearly defined with a new and exclusive front grille treatment with a combination of black grille with a body-colored insert,” added Morgan. “The V8 S badge on the rear haunch, V8 S treadplates and 20” open-spoke painted wheels further reveal the model’s identity, mirroring those of its Continental GT V8 S stablemate.”

For those wishing to display an even more extreme look, the Flying Spur V8 S can be specified with an array of aggressive, dark styling elements. Dark-tint lights (front and rear), black gloss exterior mirror covers and a unique Mulliner Driving Specification 21” black and bright machined six-spoke wheel can all be specified to menacing effect.

Inside the cabin, changes are perfectly matched to the sporting exterior. Piano-black wood veneers and a three-spoke sports steering wheel are standard, while a knurled gear lever and gear shift paddles add tactility to the driving experience. A color split unique to the V8 S features stunning two-tone seats with a contrasting roof center bow. V8 S headrest stitching is also offered.

Customer Choice Extended for Flying Spur in 2016

To make the Flying Spur even more attractive to customers, Bentley has added an array of exceptional optional features.

A semi-aniline hide option is now available in W12 and V8 S models. The highest quality hide available in the automotive industry, it gives the cabin an even more comfortable, luxurious and natural feel.

Contemporary new straight-fluting on the leather seats adds visual impact, while the Mulliner Driving Specification gains a small-diamond quilting pattern reminiscent of a tailored British jacket.

Flying Spur – Exquisite, Powerful and Individual

With its unrivaled blend of effortless driveability, exquisite craftsmanship and on board technology, the Flying Spur rightly lays claim to being the world’s finest luxury sedan.

Bentley’s design team has developed an athletic vehicle that combines traditional Bentley styling cues with a sporting stance. Sharp feature lines complement muscular rear haunches, while LED daytime running lights, subtle brightware elements and a choice of stylish alloy wheels afford the Flying Spur a modern, contemporary feel.

On the inside, Bentley has created a luxurious, spacious cabin that encases advanced acoustic and electronic technologies in exquisite hand-crafted leather hides and wood veneers.

The Flying Spur comes complete with a suite of on board technology to make it an ideal place for work or relaxation on the move. An innovative Touch Screen Remote, deployed from the veneered rear center console at the touch of a button, allows control of the car’s climate and infotainment systems from the comfort of the rear seat, while the optional Multimedia Specification brings an extensive Rear Seat Entertainment system.

The Flying Spur is available with a WiFi hotspot for connectivity while travelling – confirming the Flying Spur as the ultimate car for work and relaxation.

BENTLEY CONQUERS THE MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB ON THE PODIUM

Bentley Motorsport finished the Bathurst 12 Hours in third place with its #10 Bentley Team M-Sport Continental GT3. Piloted by Brits Guy Smith, Steven Kane and Matt Bell, the car completed 297 laps of 6.2km long circuit and led for just over an hour.

The identical #31 car, which also led the race, finished in seventh place making the brand the only GT manufacturer to cross the line with all of its entries, after 12 hours of challenging but reliable racing for the Continental GT3s. 

“A podium finish in just our second year racing here at Mount Panorama Circuit is a great achievement,” commented Bentley's Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush. “Both of our cars have completed 12 hours of extremely demanding and competitive racing without any reliability issues.

“Staying out of trouble on the mountain is difficult and we fell foul of some incidents but the crew fought hard to keep us going and completed some very impressive pit stops. It’s good to take a haul of points forward into the 2016 SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge and we look forward to continuing with the new series at Spa 24 Hours in July.”

The Bathurst 12 Hours is the opening round of the new-for-2016 SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge, which also comprises the Spa 24 Hours and the Sepang 12 Hours.

“It feels great to be on the podium,” said Matt Bell. “It’s especially rewarding as we missed out so narrowly last year. The car was fantastic all week. When you are on a track as demanding as this, you need to have confidence in your car so you can keep pushing throughout.”

According to Steven Kane, “Third place is a fantastic finish but when you come here and have a really strong week, you become focused on the win. In the middle of the race, we had the potential to challenge for the win but, by the end, we just didn’t have the pace.”

While the #31 car finished, the result was not good enough for the two drivers.

“It’s a disappointing race for us but we had the car to win,” noted Maxime Soulet. “My team did a great job and the Bentley Continental GT3 was alongside the competition all weekend.”

Bentley Motorsport will continue its 2016 program with the opening round of the Blancpain GT Series. Follow the team on Twitter using @BentleyRacing.