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Bentley completes its new portfolio of grand tourers with the Flying Spur Speed, the most performance-oriented model of the powerful luxury sedans in the Flying Spur family. There are millions of ways to configure a Bentley - the current product portfolio has been specifically tailored to make it even easier for customers to find the right Bentley for their needs. The portfolio encompasses two perspectives: a focus on high levels of well-being behind the wheel, and an orientation towards excellent driving performance. The two focus areas are crowned by the Mulliner models, which combine the best of both worlds.
Bentley Flying Spur Speed
The launch of the Flying Spur Speed completes the model series and is the counterpart to the respective models of the Continental GT and Bentayga series. The Flying Spur Speed is the flagship of the performance-oriented models. Along with the Flying Spur Mulliner, it is the vehicle of choice for any customer wishing to own a W12-engined Flying Spur, as production of the standard W12-engined Flying Spur ceased in May this year.
The Flying Spur Speed ranks above the S model and offers an additional 85 hp and 130 Nm of torque - this improves acceleration to 100 km/h by 0,3 seconds and a top speed of 333 km/h can be achieved. The Flying Spur Speed cements itself as the absolute top model. With four-wheel electronic steering, Torque Vectoring-by-Brake technology and Bentley Dynamic Ride as standard, it's as agile as a 6,0-liter, 12-hp, twin-turbo W635 vehicle.
The familiar exterior design of the Speed is immediately recognizable thanks to the distinctive, dark-designed elements on the front grille, headlights and taillights as well as the Speed emblems on the lower part of the fender. The unique 22-inch wheels come as standard and are available in Dark Tint, Gloss Black and Painted Silver. Optionally, 22-inch wheels in a sports design are available in the colors Gloss Black and Pale Brodgar Satin. The Flying Spur Speed is also equipped with "Jewel" gas caps for fuel and oil filler necks. To further reinforce the performance-oriented presence, the optional Bentley Styling Specification (carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser with subtle rear spoiler) and Blackline Specification remain available.
No other vehicle achieves this perfect balance of performance and luxury - the interior is designed with a new, unique color scheme and features Dinamica upholstery in all areas where the vehicle occupants come into contact with the surfaces. Bentley uses Dinamica Pure - the difference to the normal Dinamica version: the textile consists of 73% recycled polyester. The color selection has been expanded from five to 15 leather tones. The standard equipment includes the veneer in the color Piano Black, but the variants Crown Cut Walnut, Dark Stained Burr Walnut or Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus can also be selected free of charge.
The information and warning light panel is now designed with new graphic elements inspired by luxury chronographs. The luxury theme is continued with the standard Comfort Specification of the front and rear seats, allowing 24 different front seat positions and 14 rear seat positions. All seats also offer heating, ventilation, a massage function and two stored seat positions. Cabin features include sport pedals, Speed badges on the instrument panel, and illuminated Speed door sills inside and out. The Flying Spur Speed is likely to be particularly popular in the US and Europe, with sales expected to increase by a third of Flying Spur orders, followed by the Middle East region where one in five Flying Spurs is expected to be one Speed model acts.
chassis and powertrain
The Flying Spur Speed achieves 635 hp and a torque of 900 Nm. The vehicle accelerates to 3,8 km/h in 100 seconds and further to a top speed of 333 km/h. The Flying Spur uses the same ZF eight-speed dual-clutch transmission as the Continental GT. It ensures smooth, refined acceleration, faster gear changes and lower fuel consumption. The quicker gear changes are achieved by pre-selecting the next gear and shortening torque interruption to the wheels, increasing overall efficiency. Top speed is reached in sixth gear, while the overdrive gears (seventh and eighth) are designed for efficient grand touring. The Flying Spur Speed is equipped with a clutch system that initially only drives the rear axle.
Depending on the road conditions and wheel slip, the active all-wheel drive system also automatically supplies the front axle with drive power if required. This also significantly improved the steering behavior. The front of the Flying Spur feels much lighter and responds to changes of direction in a flash. Understeer, common with full-time four-wheel drive, has been virtually eliminated, making the car feel more balanced overall. The torque distribution varies depending on the driving dynamics mode selected. In Comfort and Bentley mode, the system directs up to 480 Nm of torque to the front axle to achieve more grip and better handling. In Sport mode, the system limits the available torque on the front axle to 280 Nm in order to be able to provide more power on the rear axle for a more dynamic driving experience.
Torque vectoring by brake system
The torque is also distributed within each axle by the torque vectoring by brake system. With its excellent handling and well-balanced, dynamic precision, the Flying Spur Speed gives you a high level of sovereignty. The vehicle owes this mainly to the further developed, active all-wheel drive, the electronic all-wheel steering and Bentley Dynamic Ride. Electronic four-wheel steering is standard equipment and improves both high-speed stability on the freeway and maneuverability in busy city traffic. When maneuvering at low speed, the system steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the steering movement of the front wheels. The resulting effect acts like a shortening of the wheelbase and thus reduces the turning circle. This optimizes maneuverability and significantly simplifies parking manoeuvres.
When steering at high speed, the system steers the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels, increasing stability and thereby making overtaking maneuvers and lane changes more confident. Electronic all-wheel steering means there's no longer a need to compromise between high-speed poise and low-speed practicality. The Bentley Dynamic Ride system is designed to optimize handling and ride comfort. A 48-volt system controls an electronic drive element that monitors the anti-roll bars. It can change the firmness as needed to counteract cornering centrifugal forces and avoid body roll of the Flying Spur. Like the Continental GT, the Flying Spur is equipped with the largest cast-iron brakes in the world - the front discs have a diameter of 420 mm. The front brake calipers are finished in gloss red with Bentley lettering, with the option of gloss black as an optional extra.
more presence
The styling specification aesthetic perfectly complements the unrivaled capability of the Flying Spur Speed, ensuring the look of the new high-performance Bentley model best embodies its powerful power. Precision hand finished in high gloss carbon fiber styling, the Styling Specification has been extensively updated to include a front splitter, side skirts with metallic Bentley badging, a rear diffuser and decklid integrated rear spoiler.
The modern alternative: the Blackline Specification, which largely replaces the exterior trim with black elements, giving the incomparable Flying Spur an even more powerful road presence. Exterior trim elements modified in the Blackline Specification include the legendary Flying B mascot, radiator louvers, matrix grilles, side window surrounds, lower door rims and rear bumper moldings. The headlight and rear light frames, the door handles, the air outlets on the fenders and the tailpipes are also given the noble dark tint.
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Photo credit: Bentley
