Behind the wheel of Bentley’s all-new Flying Spur

The all-new Bentley Flying Spur, aka the Silver Fox, is 5.3metres long. Photo: Matt Chapman

The arrival of the Bentley Flying Spur, or as one of the caretakers at Parihoa accidentally called it “the silver fox”, was met with great excitement.

As an owner of the current Bentley Continental GT, a car I have been extremely happy with, I was curious to see how the virtues of “a grand tourer” would manifest itself into a 5.3 metre sedan. 

What has resulted is possibly the world’s ultimate luxury car embodying comfort, speed, sportiness and refinement. It’s a contradictory attack of the senses that had to be experienced to be believed.

The sapphire blue edition we received, with its “1 Crewe” plates, cut an imposing presence. Its vertical vane matrix grille gives the car a more stately look than the Continental GT and it works well. The cut crystal effect headlamps are now a Bentley trademark and are very elegant.  Standard wheels are 21in twin 10 spoke bright painted. Ours also had the electronically controlled Flying B mascot.

The Flying Spur has a vertical vane matrix grille gives the car a more stately look. Photo: Matt Chapman

The side profile, with its elongated dimensions, works great and I can even imagine it still pulling off an even longer wheelbase if it needed to.  I suspect with the demise of the Bentley Mulsanne  customers of the long wheel base version may demand this.

But the rear view is its weakest link. Not to say it’s unattractive; it’s just very understated with its blocky, jewelled rear tail lamps.  However the alternative would have been to give it thinner Continental GT or revised Bentayga style lights, but I like that Bentley tried something different. 

The Bentley Flying Spur was at home with the Continental GT (rear). Photo: Matt Chapman

The Flying Spur has the same 6-litre, W12 petrol engine as the Continental GT  with 467kW of power and 900Nm of torque. Using an eight-speed dual clutch transmission, it is only 0.2 seconds behind the GT in the 0- 100km/h sprint with a 3.8 second time. It’s top speed is an incredible 333km/h.

Fitted with Bentley Dynamic Ride, the 48-volt electronic active roll control system, the car handles extremely well. The torque vectoring by brake system uses braking on the inside wheels when entering and leaving corners.

The Bentley Flying Spur benefits from all-wheel-drive, giving it a sturdy on road appeal. Photo: Matt Chapman

Like in the Continental GT, Bentley offers four driving modes in the Flying Spur: Comfort, Sport, Bentley and Custom. Sport gives a raspy exhaust note whereas Comfort takes everything to a peaceful, blissful level.

It’s easy to make comparisons between the Flying Spur and it’s logical competitor the Rolls-Royce Phantom, but they are completely different cars. 

Having driven both, I appreciate the alternate roles both cars play. The Rolls is not an inspiring car to drive but it feels amazing to be in, especially in back, and there is perhaps not a better place to be if you are being driven.

Bentley has really created a masterpiece. I was melancholic seeing this car go and I’ll  definitely add it to my dream list.  It has a bespoke brilliance to it that makes it a cut above a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and even a Mercedes-AMG Maybach.  It’s understated but still stately.  It will suit a buyer who wants to drive the best and can afford to do it.

The interior of the all-new Bentley Flying Spur has a cocooned luxury appeal. Photo: Bentley