Flying Spur Bentley Flying Spur (D1)
- Thread starter sako97
- Start date
Merc1
Premium
If those front wheels were pushed further out this car would be perfect, as it is though, this is a winner. I'll take this and a Mulsane convertible please. Now lord please let them get the SUV right. If they do that Bentley will be back on my list of aspirationals. I know HoH is loving this, both the car and my liking it!
This is how a Bentley's booty is supposed to look. Thick, heavy, powerful. They got it right and I'm the last one to like anything labeled "Continental" from Bentley.
M
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
Could not agree more. The front looks great, and then you start seeing the side profile....when you start from the front, it looks good and as you progress rearward, the sense of Audi-ness cannot be denied, especially aft of the C-pillar. IMO, wrap-around rear lights do not work well. The interior looks good if not predicatable.
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
Lol...I am glad to see you finally like it. On the other hand, I'm not sold on the car yet. The front is great as well as the rear. It's the size profile that's throwing me off. I have to see some IRL photos before I can fully make a judgment.
Tumbo
RPM Ruler
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
Wearing the name of a coachbuilt special from nearly five decades ago, the Flying Spur is once again brand new. A dramatic, sleek new shape and Bentley's best handcrafting inside wrap around the fastest, most powerful sedan the brand has ever built. The 2014 Bentley Flying Spur makes its world debut in just over two weeks at the Geneva Motor Show, but here, we get our first preview of the car's styling and features.
Most noticeable is the Flying Spur's sleek, smooth new exterior. The nose leads with a more upright grille and LED headlights in familiar Bentley style, melding smoothly into what the company calls an "athletic" and "sporting" shape, tracing uninterrupted curves over the front fenders, down the lightly accented sides and up the slightly flared rear fenders to the tail.
At the rear, simplicity continues its reign, with the roof line descending to meet the raised rear deck, rectangular lights with oval inserts, and oval tail pipes finishing the look. A front fender vent styled with a Bentley "B" motif precedes a sharp edge that runs down the side. The cabin is open and elegant, with the usual Bentley attention to detail, presented in a modern and conservative--if slightly busy--layout. A central touch screen handles infotainment, but can also be controlled by rear-cabin occupants with a remote control, the better to enjoy the dual 10-inch screens in the rear seat entertainment system. On-board WiFi and an eight-speaker audio system round out the connectivity and entertainment features. An optional Naim 1,100-watt audio system is available.
Four- and five-seat variations are available, with either a bench or two individual seating positions in the rear. All seats are heated and ventilated, and offer 14-way adjustment with memory functions. Fine wood veneers line the interior, with a choice of burr walnut or dark fiddleback eucalyptus standard, and additional five choices available. The new Flying Spur is also 12 dB quieter thanks to revised exhausts, as well as more compliant in ride quality due to taller tire sidewalls and greater vertical suspension compliance. But what makes this the fastest, most powerful Bentley sedan ever? A 6.0-liter W-12 engine mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels in a 40:60 split, though the system can apportion up to 85 percent of power to the rear or 65 percent to the front as conditions require. Rated at 616 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, the Flying Spur glides to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, 100 mph in just 9.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 200 mph--outpacing many sports cars in the process. Or procession, as it were. Provisional EPA gas mileage figures of 12 mpg city and 20 mpg highway for 15 mpg combined put the car firmly in the class of vehicles that, while conscious of efficiency, have other concerns.
Electronic dampers adapt to road conditions and driver inputs, while 10-13 percent reductions in spring rates and 13-15 percent reductions in anti-roll bar rates and softer suspension bushings further ease the ride. As the car approaches its 200 mph top speed, the dynamic suspension lowers ride height, first by 5 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear at 121 mph, and again by a further 8 mm front and 13 mm rear at 149 mph. Standard wheels are 19-inch alloys wrapped in 275/45 tires, with available 20-inch and 21-inch upgrades. Despite the increased feature specification and opulent interior, the new Flying Spur is also slightly lighter than its predecessor, aiding its rapid acceleration and improving handling. It achieves this weight savings through the use of aluminum in the hood and front fenders, made from super-formed sheets. Curb weight for the 2014 Flying Spur is 5,451 pounds. Other optional upgrades include the Mulliner Driving Specification, which includes a choice of five additional leather colors (for a total of 17), and five further wood veneers. Diamond quilted seats, drilled alloy foot pedals, a knurled sports shift lever, jeweled filler cap, and 21-inch two-piece alloy wheels wrap up the package.
- http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1082373_2014-bentley-flying-spur-preview#100419554
Merc1
Premium
Really...? Where? Roofline?
Yes they both have FWD-idis, but the question is aren't these both switching to a RWD platform for 2017-18, one to be shared with the next Panamera?
Looking at these two upper segment cars reminds me why VAG is nearly unstoppable. Nothing is holding them back but their looks (A8), and if the A8 looks good to you I can't imagine what else there is not to like about it.
M
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
THE ALL-NEW BENTLEY FLYING SPUR
- Ultimate high luxury sedan with unrivalled performance
- New Flying Spur brings more comfort and refinement
- Fastest, most powerful four-door Bentley model ever
- Sleek and elegant new styling
- Contemporary cabin design with traditional hand-crafted luxury
- Lighter overall despite enhanced specification
- Connectivity and infotainment with own Wi-Fi hotspot
- Global debut at Geneva Motor Show 2013
(Crewe, 20th February 2013) Bentley establishes a new luxury performance sedan benchmark with the launch of the new Flying Spur. With its unrivalled blend of effortless driveability, exquisite luxury and craftsmanship, sculpted design and state-of-the-art technology, the new Flying Spur takes the worldwide success of its iconic predecessor further. Bentley's most powerful four-door model ever makes its global debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show on 5th March.
Bentley's styling team has developed an athletic design for the new Flying Spur that combines traditional Bentley styling cues with a sporting stance and contemporary details. Sharp feature lines complement muscular rear haunches, while LED day-time running lights, dipped headlights and taillights characterise the front and rear profiles. The interior designers have created a luxurious, spacious cabin that dresses advanced acoustic and electronic technologies in exquisite hand-crafted leather hides and wood veneers.
Driver and passengers alike interface with the car and the outside world through touch-screen infotainment, mobile connectivity including Wi-Fi, a Rear Sear Entertainment suite and a new hand-held Touch Screen Remote which allows rear-cabin occupants to control an extensive range of features from the comfort of their seat. An eight-channel, eight-speaker audio system with Balanced Mode Radiators provide high quality sound clarity, with the 1100W Naim® for Bentley premium system available as an option.
Powering the new Flying Spur is Bentley's renowned 6.0-litre, twin turbo W12 engine, coupled to a ZF eight-speed transmission. Developing 625 PS (616 bhp) and 800 Nm of torque, the new Flying Spur features more power than any other Bentley four-door in history. A 14 per cent improvement in the power-to-weight ratio over the outgoing model delivers a breath-taking 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top-speed of 200 mph (322 km/h). In the modern Bentley tradition, power is delivered to the road via all-wheel drive with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for a sure-footed, engaging drive in all road and weather conditions.
Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, comments "Bentley's new Flying Spur is the ultimate luxury performance sedan. Our engineers have worked tirelessly to ensure that the Flying Spur is the perfect combination of power, comfort, refinement and hand-crafted quality. Fitted with the very latest technology, the new Flying Spur is equipped both for business and relaxation whilst remaining a car to enjoy from behind the wheel."
A SLEEK AND STRIKING EXTERIOR
The styling of the new Flying Spur establishes a new design character for Bentley's performance sedan. An elegant direction is reflected by a lower, wider appearance with sharp lines and gently curvaceous surfaces. A lower roof line, deeply sculpted panels, precise feature lines and a muscular rear haunch give the Flying Spur a more aggressive stance and a powerfully dynamic profile.
The front fenders feature a striking new wing vent complete with an elegant Bentley "B" motif. From here, an additional feature line forms a sharply defined edge running from the front wheel all the way to the rear bumper, underlining the shape's dynamic character.
At the front of the car, a more upright chrome grille sits between the pairs of jewel-like LED headlamps. Emphasising the lower, wider stance, the outer lamps are the larger of the two. Beneath the front grille, the lower intake is now full width with no vertical divisions, but instead with a chromed horizontal accent that completes the dramatic face of the new Flying Spur.
At the rear, a longer and lower boot lid lends a more swept appearance to the side profile. Horizontal single ellipse LED tail lamps combine with a new interpretation of the Bentley "Horse Shoe" feature line, now running the full width of the car and encapsulating a graceful concave section.
Beneath the elegant skin of the new Flying Spur, a wide range of materials are applied in an intelligent and efficient manner. Designed to improve overall body stiffness and refinement whilst meeting stringent crash performance targets and pedestrian protection legislation, the new body structure includes reinforcement to the B-posts, sills and front crossmembers together with deformable components in the floorpan for optimal load transfer. A deployable bonnet that includes both new reinforcement panels and deformation elements helps to improve pedestrian impact performance.
The bonnet and front fenders are constructed in aluminium, with the fenders shaped using the aerospace-industry superforming technique, employing compressed air to shape heated sheets of alloy in to the required form at over 500°C. Exceptionally clean lines with sharp radii and lighter-weight components are the result, giving the new Flying Spur an unmistakeably Bentley front end with extremely taut shut lines.
The new door structures are completely redesigned with fewer individual parts for improved quality and refinement. An optimisation of the doors realised through efficient use of materials contributes to much improved door kinematics and feel. Meanwhile, further weight savings are achieved through the crafting of the bootlid in a polymer composite material that also integrates the main antennae for the car's electronic systems.
The exterior design, manufacturing processes and carefully optimised materials selections combine to provide a bodyshell that is not only muscular and clean, with minimal shutlines, but also one that performs exceptionally well on the road. With a torsional stiffness of 36,500 Nm/degree, a 4% increase over the previous generation Flying Spur, the new bodyshell provides an extremely rigid platform for the chassis components and a stable foundation for NVH reduction. The sleek shape also has outstanding aerodynamic properties for a large sedan, with an overall drag coefficient of just 0.29 and ensuing benefits to emissions performance.
Weight savings in the body structure and throughout the car mean that the new Flying Spur is 50 kg lighter than the first generation car, despite the additional refinement measures, enhanced technology specification and stronger structure.
A CONTEMPORARY CABIN OF HAND-CRAFTED MATERIALS
The sumptuous interior of the new Flying Spur includes 600 new parts, with only the sun visors, grab handles, armrests and some of the front console and controls carried over from the previous generation. Class-leading entertainment and information technologies are married with traditional hand-crafted materials and stunning contemporary design to create the ultimate high-luxury sedan cabin.
Available in both four- and five-seat configurations, the new Flying Spur features redesigned front and rear seats trimmed in natural premium-quality leather. The new seats use a softer yet more durable hide unique to Bentley and available in twelve different colours.
Careful use of different foam specifications and densities creates seats that are both supremely comfortable and supportive, with 14-way adjustment including memory and lumbar functions. Every occupant is offered seat heating as well as seat ventilation, while additional stowage sections are incorporated to the rear of the front seats.
For the four-seat variant, the centre console sweeps from the front to the rear cabin and introduces an additional storage area together with a beautifully crafted stowage case, trimmed in veneer to match the car.
The interior designers, together with the craftsmen and women of Bentley's renowned woodshop, have applied the finest wood veneers to finish the cabin of the new Flying Spur. Utilising almost ten square metres of sustainably sourced natural wood per car, the Flying Spur features book-matched and mirror-polished veneer to the fascia panels, consoles, waistrails and picnic tables. To enhance the "wrap-around" feel of the forward cabin, the veneer of the dashboard meets that of the doors in a perfectly aligned curve, giving the impression of an unbroken arc of wood around the interior. Crafted entirely by hand, cured for 72 hours and clear-lacquered to enhance the natural beauty of the wood, a range of seven sophisticated veneers are available (two as standard - burr walnut or dark fiddleback eucalyptus).
To complete the luxurious and opulent nature of the cabin, the roof lining and pillars are also trimmed in natural leather. Layers of supple foam are applied to all tactile surfaces beneath the hide, harmonising the touch and feel of all areas of the cabin. Electrically-operated rear side blinds, fitted as standard, permit privacy for rear-seat passengers if desired. Customers may also specify an optional glass sunroof at no additional cost. Behind the central rear armrest, a nine litre bottle cooler can be specified to keep drinks perfectly chilled. The interior designers also focused on improving interior stowage around the cabin, whilst including new electronic technologies discretely applied throughout the interior.
CONNECTION TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD
Complementing the hand-crafted interior, the Flying Spur is equipped with carefully selected state-of-the-art technology, for both the driver and passengers. Central infotainment is controlled through a high resolution 8" touch-screen interface, complete with Bentley's advanced satellite navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity, while infotainment features can be controlled by voice activation.
An eight-channel, eight-speaker audio system featuring Balanced Mode Radiator technology for optimum sound clarity and frequency range can play music from an on-board hard drive, CDs, DVDs, SD cards and via an iPod. The Naim® for Bentley Premium Audio System, featuring redesigned separate subwoofers for improved bass extension and 1100 Watts of power, is available as an option for those wishing for the ultimate in-car audio experience.
Rear seat passengers have access to an extensive array of infotainment technology. A new Touch Screen Remote (TSR), deployed from a housing in the rear console at the touch of a button, allows passengers to control a variety of different systems. From climate controls and seat heating and ventilation through to the satellite navigation and multimedia systems, the TSR means passengers can interface with the car from the comfort of their seat.
Customers wishing to work on the move may order the new Flying Spur with the new Multi-Media Specification. Central to this is the Bentley Connectivity Unit (BCU) which allows portable devices, laptops and tablet computers to connect to the internet through the car's own Wi-Fi hotspot with an active SIM and includes 64 GB of internal storage capacity. Two 10" LCD screens are installed to the backs of the front seats, while top-loading multimedia players sit in pockets fitted beneath, allowing the user to load and enjoy video, photo and music content from DVDs, SD cards, USB devices including iPods and iPads, and HDMI devices.
Each rear passenger can view separate content, or stream media from the BCU. A USB charging port keeps batteries fresh, and wired headphone ports complete the connections, allowing music and internet radio to be played directly through the BCU. Bentley wireless headphones complete the specification for the ultimate in rear-seat infotainment.
DESIGNED FOR EXCEPTIONAL COMFORT
Achieving class-leading comfort and refinement was a priority during the development of the new Flying Spur and the acoustic isolation of the cabin from external noise inputs was a particular focus. Bentley's development and use of lightweight acoustic underfloor panels to minimise road noise continues, with aerodynamically optimised insulating sections applied to almost the entire underfloor of the car. Side glazing and both front and rear screens are made in acoustic glass, featuring a specially developed interlayer that reduces noise transmission. An improved sealing system around the side glazing now features two individual sealing points to reduce wind noise to a minimum regardless of road speed. The redesigned doors are also fitted with additional insulation to the outer skin, reducing noise diffusion in to the cabin. Enlarged rear mufflers reduce exhaust noise by 12 dB at 3000 rev/min for enhanced passenger comfort.
The heating and ventilation system is improved with the addition of a new Thermostatic Expansion Valve which drastically decreases the time taken to cool the cabin. An optional Climate Boost function features an enhanced blower system for improved cooling of the rear cabin.
With comfort paramount for the new Flying Spur, a new 19" tyre has been specifically developed, utilising a 12% relative increase in sidewall height combined with greater vertical compliance to improve impact isolation. During development, 12 different tyre constructions were tested and refined to find the optimum balance between refinement and handling performance.
EIGHT GEARS, SIX LITRES AND FOUR DRIVEN WHEELS
As Bentley's most powerful engine, the 6.0-litre, twin turbocharged, 48-valve W12 is the natural choice to power the fastest ever Bentley four-door. Now delivering 625 PS (616 bhp) at 6,000 rev/min and a staggering 800 Nm (580 lb ft) of torque from only 2000 rev/min, the W12 has recently undergone a complete engine management system upgrade to the latest Bosch ME17 interface. Improved torque management, turbocharger control, driveability and emissions performance all result from the adoption and optimisation of the new system, with a resulting improvement in low speed responsiveness.
Coupled to the W12 is the very latest eight-speed, quick-shift automatic transmission from ZF. All Bentley models now feature this state-of-the-art gearbox. Delivering seamless and imperceptible shifts in under 200 milliseconds, the gearbox is not only designed to handle the mighty torque output of the W12 but also to ensure smooth and refined delivery of power to the wheels. An optimised set of gear ratios keep the engine in its most efficient operating range during light loads and cruise, contributing in an overall improvement in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of more than 13 per cent over the outgoing model. The new Flying Spur delivers a combined cycle fuel economy of 19.2 mpg (14.7 litres/100 km), and CO2 emissions of 343 g/km – impressive figures for a 12-cylinder ultra-luxury, high performance sedan.
The transmission feeds power to all four wheels via Bentley's renowned all-wheel drive system. With a standard torque split of 60 per cent to the rear wheels and 40 per cent to the front, but the ability to vary this division up to 85 per cent to the rear axle or 65 per cent to the front depending on available traction, the Flying Spur's drivetrain ensures optimal grip regardless of prevailing road or weather conditions. The assurance provided by such a sure-footed set-up means that the spirited driver can deploy all of the car's available power and torque in a controlled and dependable manner, in virtually any circumstances.
A REFINED RIDE WITH DYNAMIC DELIVERY
With outstanding ride comfort of vital importance, the independent computer-controlled air suspension of the new Flying Spur is redesigned to maximise impact absorption and isolation. Compared to the outgoing model, suspension spring rates are softened front and rear by 10 per cent and 13 per cent respectively, for improved ride comfort in the normal operating region. The rate of stiffness increase during harder cornering has been increased for improved control of heave, pitch and roll. Anti-roll bars are softened by 13 per cent and 15 per cent to improve single wheel impact absorption. Suspension lever bushes all-round are softened by at least 25 per cent for reduced road surface-induced noise and vibration.
Working with the new springs, a damper hydraulic specification has been developed to maximise ride comfort. Working with a revised damper electronic control (CDC) strategy, this enables exceptional low speed ride performance while damping force increases significantly with speed, providing the optimum balance between body control and stability at all speeds. A four-position suspension control, with a widened range of settings, allows drivers to choose the level of damping to suit their preference.
The power steering system provides a comfort-orientated balance whilst maintaining optimum steering feel and precision throughout the speed range. A new specification of steering gear, together with a new calibration of the speed-sensitive system that regulates hydraulic fluid flow, provides variable assistance depending on vehicle speed. The new system delivers both high levels of isolation from surface deformations whilst ensuring driver confidence through the combination of accurate steering precision and a measured increase in steering effort when cornering.
As the new Flying Spur approaches its 200 mph (322 km/h) top speed, the ride height is automatically lowered via the air suspension system in order to compensate for aerodynamic forces. This helps not only to improve vehicle stability by optimising aerodynamic balance along the car, but also reduces drag, with benefits both to top speed and CO2 output. The new car has a two-stage lowering strategy, firstly lowering by 5 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear at 121 mph (195 km/h) and then by a further 8 mm and 13 mm respectively at 149 mph (240 km/h).
The multiple-mode Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is recalibrated to work in combination with the new chassis specification. The system is calibrated to ensure that the enthusiastic driver is not hindered by stability interventions and, where appropriate through the selection of the ESC Dynamic Mode, the driver can further explore the handling limits of the vehicle whilst still maintaining appropriate levels of stability control.
THE PERSONAL CHOICES
As with the entire Bentley range, the new Flying Spur is built to individual customers' exacting specifications. A range of seventeen standard exterior paint colours includes Dark Cashmere, a sophisticated and contemporary addition to the Bentley palette. The extended paint range of over 100 colours is joined by Damson, a rich hue inspired by the extremely rare purple diamond, and one that is complemented by an optional matching hide colour.
A new 19-inch Classic wheel is fitted exclusively to the new Flying Spur, either bright-painted or with a diamond turned finish. The new design consolidates a wider range of 20-inch five-spoke, 21-inch six-spoke and 21-inch ten-spoke wheels available as cost options.
Customers wishing to extend the range of available options further can choose to include the Mulliner Driving Specification. This includes five additional hides, expanding the number of available shades to 17, and five further wood veneers. Bentley's traditional diamond quilting is incorporated to the seats and door panels, together with an indented leather headlining and embroidered Bentley wings to the headrests. Drilled alloy foot pedals, a knurled sports gear lever, jewel filler cap and 21" two-piece five-spoke alloy wheels in painted or polished finish complete the Mulliner suite of options.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
New Flying Spur
Engine
Type 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12
Max Power 616 bhp / 460 kW / 625 PS @6000 rev/min
Max Torque 800 Nm / 590 lb.ft @ 2000 rev/min
Transmission
Type ZF 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and wheel-mounted paddleshift
Driveline Continuous all-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias)
Ratios 1st : 4.71; 2nd: 3.14; 3rd: 2.1; 4th: 1.67; 5th: 1.29; 6th: 1.00; 7th: 0.839; 8th: 0.667
Final Drive 2.85
Brakes
Front 405mm ventilated discs (optional 420mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)
Rear 335mm ventilated discs (optional 356mm, Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)
Wheels and Tyres
Wheels New 19" (2 finishes), opt 9.5J x 20", opt 9.5J x 21" (3 designs)
Tyres 275/45 ZR19, 275/40 ZR20, 275/35 ZR21
Steering
Type Rack & pinion, power assisted, speed-sensitive ZF servotronic
Turns lock-to-lock 2.8
Turning circle 11.7 m / 38.4 feet
Suspension
Front Four link double wishbones, computer controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar
Rear Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar
Damping Continuous Damping Control
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3065 mm / 120.7 in
Overall length 5295 mm / 208.5 in
Width (across body) 1976 mm / 77.8 in
Width (inc. mirrors) 2208 mm / 86.9 in
Overall height 1488 mm / 58.6 in
Fuel tank 90 litres / 20 UK gallons / 24 US gallons
Boot volume 475 litres / 16.8 cu ft
Kerb weight (EU) 2475 kg / 5451 lb
Gross vehicle weight 2972 kg / 6546 lb
Performance
Top speed 200 mph / 322 km/h
0-60 mph 4.3 secs
0-100 mph 9.5 secs
0-100 km/h 4.6 secs
0-160 km/h 9.5 secs
Fuel Consumption (EU cycle)*
Urban 12.6 mpg (22.4 litres/100 km)
Extra Urban 27.8 mpg (10.2 litres/100 km)
Combined 19.2 mpg (14.7 litres/100 km)
CO2 emissions 343 g /km
Fuel Consumption (EPA cycle)**
City (US mpg) 12
Highway (US mpg) 20
Combined (US mpg) 15
Emissions Controls EU 5 and US LEV II
* Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to Type Approval.
** Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to EPA certification.
- http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/2014-bentley-flying-spur-brings-new-design-to-four-door-continen/
- Ultimate high luxury sedan with unrivalled performance
- New Flying Spur brings more comfort and refinement
- Fastest, most powerful four-door Bentley model ever
- Sleek and elegant new styling
- Contemporary cabin design with traditional hand-crafted luxury
- Lighter overall despite enhanced specification
- Connectivity and infotainment with own Wi-Fi hotspot
- Global debut at Geneva Motor Show 2013
(Crewe, 20th February 2013) Bentley establishes a new luxury performance sedan benchmark with the launch of the new Flying Spur. With its unrivalled blend of effortless driveability, exquisite luxury and craftsmanship, sculpted design and state-of-the-art technology, the new Flying Spur takes the worldwide success of its iconic predecessor further. Bentley's most powerful four-door model ever makes its global debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show on 5th March.
Bentley's styling team has developed an athletic design for the new Flying Spur that combines traditional Bentley styling cues with a sporting stance and contemporary details. Sharp feature lines complement muscular rear haunches, while LED day-time running lights, dipped headlights and taillights characterise the front and rear profiles. The interior designers have created a luxurious, spacious cabin that dresses advanced acoustic and electronic technologies in exquisite hand-crafted leather hides and wood veneers.
Driver and passengers alike interface with the car and the outside world through touch-screen infotainment, mobile connectivity including Wi-Fi, a Rear Sear Entertainment suite and a new hand-held Touch Screen Remote which allows rear-cabin occupants to control an extensive range of features from the comfort of their seat. An eight-channel, eight-speaker audio system with Balanced Mode Radiators provide high quality sound clarity, with the 1100W Naim® for Bentley premium system available as an option.
Powering the new Flying Spur is Bentley's renowned 6.0-litre, twin turbo W12 engine, coupled to a ZF eight-speed transmission. Developing 625 PS (616 bhp) and 800 Nm of torque, the new Flying Spur features more power than any other Bentley four-door in history. A 14 per cent improvement in the power-to-weight ratio over the outgoing model delivers a breath-taking 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top-speed of 200 mph (322 km/h). In the modern Bentley tradition, power is delivered to the road via all-wheel drive with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for a sure-footed, engaging drive in all road and weather conditions.
Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, comments "Bentley's new Flying Spur is the ultimate luxury performance sedan. Our engineers have worked tirelessly to ensure that the Flying Spur is the perfect combination of power, comfort, refinement and hand-crafted quality. Fitted with the very latest technology, the new Flying Spur is equipped both for business and relaxation whilst remaining a car to enjoy from behind the wheel."
A SLEEK AND STRIKING EXTERIOR
The styling of the new Flying Spur establishes a new design character for Bentley's performance sedan. An elegant direction is reflected by a lower, wider appearance with sharp lines and gently curvaceous surfaces. A lower roof line, deeply sculpted panels, precise feature lines and a muscular rear haunch give the Flying Spur a more aggressive stance and a powerfully dynamic profile.
The front fenders feature a striking new wing vent complete with an elegant Bentley "B" motif. From here, an additional feature line forms a sharply defined edge running from the front wheel all the way to the rear bumper, underlining the shape's dynamic character.
At the front of the car, a more upright chrome grille sits between the pairs of jewel-like LED headlamps. Emphasising the lower, wider stance, the outer lamps are the larger of the two. Beneath the front grille, the lower intake is now full width with no vertical divisions, but instead with a chromed horizontal accent that completes the dramatic face of the new Flying Spur.
At the rear, a longer and lower boot lid lends a more swept appearance to the side profile. Horizontal single ellipse LED tail lamps combine with a new interpretation of the Bentley "Horse Shoe" feature line, now running the full width of the car and encapsulating a graceful concave section.
Beneath the elegant skin of the new Flying Spur, a wide range of materials are applied in an intelligent and efficient manner. Designed to improve overall body stiffness and refinement whilst meeting stringent crash performance targets and pedestrian protection legislation, the new body structure includes reinforcement to the B-posts, sills and front crossmembers together with deformable components in the floorpan for optimal load transfer. A deployable bonnet that includes both new reinforcement panels and deformation elements helps to improve pedestrian impact performance.
The bonnet and front fenders are constructed in aluminium, with the fenders shaped using the aerospace-industry superforming technique, employing compressed air to shape heated sheets of alloy in to the required form at over 500°C. Exceptionally clean lines with sharp radii and lighter-weight components are the result, giving the new Flying Spur an unmistakeably Bentley front end with extremely taut shut lines.
The new door structures are completely redesigned with fewer individual parts for improved quality and refinement. An optimisation of the doors realised through efficient use of materials contributes to much improved door kinematics and feel. Meanwhile, further weight savings are achieved through the crafting of the bootlid in a polymer composite material that also integrates the main antennae for the car's electronic systems.
The exterior design, manufacturing processes and carefully optimised materials selections combine to provide a bodyshell that is not only muscular and clean, with minimal shutlines, but also one that performs exceptionally well on the road. With a torsional stiffness of 36,500 Nm/degree, a 4% increase over the previous generation Flying Spur, the new bodyshell provides an extremely rigid platform for the chassis components and a stable foundation for NVH reduction. The sleek shape also has outstanding aerodynamic properties for a large sedan, with an overall drag coefficient of just 0.29 and ensuing benefits to emissions performance.
Weight savings in the body structure and throughout the car mean that the new Flying Spur is 50 kg lighter than the first generation car, despite the additional refinement measures, enhanced technology specification and stronger structure.
A CONTEMPORARY CABIN OF HAND-CRAFTED MATERIALS
The sumptuous interior of the new Flying Spur includes 600 new parts, with only the sun visors, grab handles, armrests and some of the front console and controls carried over from the previous generation. Class-leading entertainment and information technologies are married with traditional hand-crafted materials and stunning contemporary design to create the ultimate high-luxury sedan cabin.
Available in both four- and five-seat configurations, the new Flying Spur features redesigned front and rear seats trimmed in natural premium-quality leather. The new seats use a softer yet more durable hide unique to Bentley and available in twelve different colours.
Careful use of different foam specifications and densities creates seats that are both supremely comfortable and supportive, with 14-way adjustment including memory and lumbar functions. Every occupant is offered seat heating as well as seat ventilation, while additional stowage sections are incorporated to the rear of the front seats.
For the four-seat variant, the centre console sweeps from the front to the rear cabin and introduces an additional storage area together with a beautifully crafted stowage case, trimmed in veneer to match the car.
The interior designers, together with the craftsmen and women of Bentley's renowned woodshop, have applied the finest wood veneers to finish the cabin of the new Flying Spur. Utilising almost ten square metres of sustainably sourced natural wood per car, the Flying Spur features book-matched and mirror-polished veneer to the fascia panels, consoles, waistrails and picnic tables. To enhance the "wrap-around" feel of the forward cabin, the veneer of the dashboard meets that of the doors in a perfectly aligned curve, giving the impression of an unbroken arc of wood around the interior. Crafted entirely by hand, cured for 72 hours and clear-lacquered to enhance the natural beauty of the wood, a range of seven sophisticated veneers are available (two as standard - burr walnut or dark fiddleback eucalyptus).
To complete the luxurious and opulent nature of the cabin, the roof lining and pillars are also trimmed in natural leather. Layers of supple foam are applied to all tactile surfaces beneath the hide, harmonising the touch and feel of all areas of the cabin. Electrically-operated rear side blinds, fitted as standard, permit privacy for rear-seat passengers if desired. Customers may also specify an optional glass sunroof at no additional cost. Behind the central rear armrest, a nine litre bottle cooler can be specified to keep drinks perfectly chilled. The interior designers also focused on improving interior stowage around the cabin, whilst including new electronic technologies discretely applied throughout the interior.
CONNECTION TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD
Complementing the hand-crafted interior, the Flying Spur is equipped with carefully selected state-of-the-art technology, for both the driver and passengers. Central infotainment is controlled through a high resolution 8" touch-screen interface, complete with Bentley's advanced satellite navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity, while infotainment features can be controlled by voice activation.
An eight-channel, eight-speaker audio system featuring Balanced Mode Radiator technology for optimum sound clarity and frequency range can play music from an on-board hard drive, CDs, DVDs, SD cards and via an iPod. The Naim® for Bentley Premium Audio System, featuring redesigned separate subwoofers for improved bass extension and 1100 Watts of power, is available as an option for those wishing for the ultimate in-car audio experience.
Rear seat passengers have access to an extensive array of infotainment technology. A new Touch Screen Remote (TSR), deployed from a housing in the rear console at the touch of a button, allows passengers to control a variety of different systems. From climate controls and seat heating and ventilation through to the satellite navigation and multimedia systems, the TSR means passengers can interface with the car from the comfort of their seat.
Customers wishing to work on the move may order the new Flying Spur with the new Multi-Media Specification. Central to this is the Bentley Connectivity Unit (BCU) which allows portable devices, laptops and tablet computers to connect to the internet through the car's own Wi-Fi hotspot with an active SIM and includes 64 GB of internal storage capacity. Two 10" LCD screens are installed to the backs of the front seats, while top-loading multimedia players sit in pockets fitted beneath, allowing the user to load and enjoy video, photo and music content from DVDs, SD cards, USB devices including iPods and iPads, and HDMI devices.
Each rear passenger can view separate content, or stream media from the BCU. A USB charging port keeps batteries fresh, and wired headphone ports complete the connections, allowing music and internet radio to be played directly through the BCU. Bentley wireless headphones complete the specification for the ultimate in rear-seat infotainment.
DESIGNED FOR EXCEPTIONAL COMFORT
Achieving class-leading comfort and refinement was a priority during the development of the new Flying Spur and the acoustic isolation of the cabin from external noise inputs was a particular focus. Bentley's development and use of lightweight acoustic underfloor panels to minimise road noise continues, with aerodynamically optimised insulating sections applied to almost the entire underfloor of the car. Side glazing and both front and rear screens are made in acoustic glass, featuring a specially developed interlayer that reduces noise transmission. An improved sealing system around the side glazing now features two individual sealing points to reduce wind noise to a minimum regardless of road speed. The redesigned doors are also fitted with additional insulation to the outer skin, reducing noise diffusion in to the cabin. Enlarged rear mufflers reduce exhaust noise by 12 dB at 3000 rev/min for enhanced passenger comfort.
The heating and ventilation system is improved with the addition of a new Thermostatic Expansion Valve which drastically decreases the time taken to cool the cabin. An optional Climate Boost function features an enhanced blower system for improved cooling of the rear cabin.
With comfort paramount for the new Flying Spur, a new 19" tyre has been specifically developed, utilising a 12% relative increase in sidewall height combined with greater vertical compliance to improve impact isolation. During development, 12 different tyre constructions were tested and refined to find the optimum balance between refinement and handling performance.
EIGHT GEARS, SIX LITRES AND FOUR DRIVEN WHEELS
As Bentley's most powerful engine, the 6.0-litre, twin turbocharged, 48-valve W12 is the natural choice to power the fastest ever Bentley four-door. Now delivering 625 PS (616 bhp) at 6,000 rev/min and a staggering 800 Nm (580 lb ft) of torque from only 2000 rev/min, the W12 has recently undergone a complete engine management system upgrade to the latest Bosch ME17 interface. Improved torque management, turbocharger control, driveability and emissions performance all result from the adoption and optimisation of the new system, with a resulting improvement in low speed responsiveness.
Coupled to the W12 is the very latest eight-speed, quick-shift automatic transmission from ZF. All Bentley models now feature this state-of-the-art gearbox. Delivering seamless and imperceptible shifts in under 200 milliseconds, the gearbox is not only designed to handle the mighty torque output of the W12 but also to ensure smooth and refined delivery of power to the wheels. An optimised set of gear ratios keep the engine in its most efficient operating range during light loads and cruise, contributing in an overall improvement in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of more than 13 per cent over the outgoing model. The new Flying Spur delivers a combined cycle fuel economy of 19.2 mpg (14.7 litres/100 km), and CO2 emissions of 343 g/km – impressive figures for a 12-cylinder ultra-luxury, high performance sedan.
The transmission feeds power to all four wheels via Bentley's renowned all-wheel drive system. With a standard torque split of 60 per cent to the rear wheels and 40 per cent to the front, but the ability to vary this division up to 85 per cent to the rear axle or 65 per cent to the front depending on available traction, the Flying Spur's drivetrain ensures optimal grip regardless of prevailing road or weather conditions. The assurance provided by such a sure-footed set-up means that the spirited driver can deploy all of the car's available power and torque in a controlled and dependable manner, in virtually any circumstances.
A REFINED RIDE WITH DYNAMIC DELIVERY
With outstanding ride comfort of vital importance, the independent computer-controlled air suspension of the new Flying Spur is redesigned to maximise impact absorption and isolation. Compared to the outgoing model, suspension spring rates are softened front and rear by 10 per cent and 13 per cent respectively, for improved ride comfort in the normal operating region. The rate of stiffness increase during harder cornering has been increased for improved control of heave, pitch and roll. Anti-roll bars are softened by 13 per cent and 15 per cent to improve single wheel impact absorption. Suspension lever bushes all-round are softened by at least 25 per cent for reduced road surface-induced noise and vibration.
Working with the new springs, a damper hydraulic specification has been developed to maximise ride comfort. Working with a revised damper electronic control (CDC) strategy, this enables exceptional low speed ride performance while damping force increases significantly with speed, providing the optimum balance between body control and stability at all speeds. A four-position suspension control, with a widened range of settings, allows drivers to choose the level of damping to suit their preference.
The power steering system provides a comfort-orientated balance whilst maintaining optimum steering feel and precision throughout the speed range. A new specification of steering gear, together with a new calibration of the speed-sensitive system that regulates hydraulic fluid flow, provides variable assistance depending on vehicle speed. The new system delivers both high levels of isolation from surface deformations whilst ensuring driver confidence through the combination of accurate steering precision and a measured increase in steering effort when cornering.
As the new Flying Spur approaches its 200 mph (322 km/h) top speed, the ride height is automatically lowered via the air suspension system in order to compensate for aerodynamic forces. This helps not only to improve vehicle stability by optimising aerodynamic balance along the car, but also reduces drag, with benefits both to top speed and CO2 output. The new car has a two-stage lowering strategy, firstly lowering by 5 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear at 121 mph (195 km/h) and then by a further 8 mm and 13 mm respectively at 149 mph (240 km/h).
The multiple-mode Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is recalibrated to work in combination with the new chassis specification. The system is calibrated to ensure that the enthusiastic driver is not hindered by stability interventions and, where appropriate through the selection of the ESC Dynamic Mode, the driver can further explore the handling limits of the vehicle whilst still maintaining appropriate levels of stability control.
THE PERSONAL CHOICES
As with the entire Bentley range, the new Flying Spur is built to individual customers' exacting specifications. A range of seventeen standard exterior paint colours includes Dark Cashmere, a sophisticated and contemporary addition to the Bentley palette. The extended paint range of over 100 colours is joined by Damson, a rich hue inspired by the extremely rare purple diamond, and one that is complemented by an optional matching hide colour.
A new 19-inch Classic wheel is fitted exclusively to the new Flying Spur, either bright-painted or with a diamond turned finish. The new design consolidates a wider range of 20-inch five-spoke, 21-inch six-spoke and 21-inch ten-spoke wheels available as cost options.
Customers wishing to extend the range of available options further can choose to include the Mulliner Driving Specification. This includes five additional hides, expanding the number of available shades to 17, and five further wood veneers. Bentley's traditional diamond quilting is incorporated to the seats and door panels, together with an indented leather headlining and embroidered Bentley wings to the headrests. Drilled alloy foot pedals, a knurled sports gear lever, jewel filler cap and 21" two-piece five-spoke alloy wheels in painted or polished finish complete the Mulliner suite of options.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
New Flying Spur
Engine
Type 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12
Max Power 616 bhp / 460 kW / 625 PS @6000 rev/min
Max Torque 800 Nm / 590 lb.ft @ 2000 rev/min
Transmission
Type ZF 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and wheel-mounted paddleshift
Driveline Continuous all-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias)
Ratios 1st : 4.71; 2nd: 3.14; 3rd: 2.1; 4th: 1.67; 5th: 1.29; 6th: 1.00; 7th: 0.839; 8th: 0.667
Final Drive 2.85
Brakes
Front 405mm ventilated discs (optional 420mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)
Rear 335mm ventilated discs (optional 356mm, Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)
Wheels and Tyres
Wheels New 19" (2 finishes), opt 9.5J x 20", opt 9.5J x 21" (3 designs)
Tyres 275/45 ZR19, 275/40 ZR20, 275/35 ZR21
Steering
Type Rack & pinion, power assisted, speed-sensitive ZF servotronic
Turns lock-to-lock 2.8
Turning circle 11.7 m / 38.4 feet
Suspension
Front Four link double wishbones, computer controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar
Rear Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar
Damping Continuous Damping Control
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3065 mm / 120.7 in
Overall length 5295 mm / 208.5 in
Width (across body) 1976 mm / 77.8 in
Width (inc. mirrors) 2208 mm / 86.9 in
Overall height 1488 mm / 58.6 in
Fuel tank 90 litres / 20 UK gallons / 24 US gallons
Boot volume 475 litres / 16.8 cu ft
Kerb weight (EU) 2475 kg / 5451 lb
Gross vehicle weight 2972 kg / 6546 lb
Performance
Top speed 200 mph / 322 km/h
0-60 mph 4.3 secs
0-100 mph 9.5 secs
0-100 km/h 4.6 secs
0-160 km/h 9.5 secs
Fuel Consumption (EU cycle)*
Urban 12.6 mpg (22.4 litres/100 km)
Extra Urban 27.8 mpg (10.2 litres/100 km)
Combined 19.2 mpg (14.7 litres/100 km)
CO2 emissions 343 g /km
Fuel Consumption (EPA cycle)**
City (US mpg) 12
Highway (US mpg) 20
Combined (US mpg) 15
Emissions Controls EU 5 and US LEV II
* Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to Type Approval.
** Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to EPA certification.
- http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/2014-bentley-flying-spur-brings-new-design-to-four-door-continen/
martinbo
Staff member
Really...? Where? Roofline?
Proportions are uncannily similar. It's like they got some fancy coachworker to pull new sheetmetal over the A8's frame.
Merc1
Premium
It probably will, but Mercedes needs those gadgets, Bentley doesn't. This car is will the hottest thing in all the rich neighborhoods all over the world. S-Class will also. All those "drivers aids" are getting really lame. People are becoming less and less skilled at driving. I personally like the build and quality of a car like this, not the silly and often useless night-vision and the like.
M
M
http://www.autofiends.com/2012/09/porsche-bentley-msb-platform-comes-into-focus/
Porsche & Bentley MSB platform comes into focus
Volkswagen’s acquisition of Porsche has refocused attention on the upcoming MSB platform.
Set to underpin the next-generation Porsche Panamera and several Bentleys, the MSB platform will be created by Porsche and likely use a combination of steel and aluminum. The change could enable the Panamera to weigh 200 lbs (91 kg) less than the current model, but even bigger weight savings are expected from Bentley since most of its vehicles ride on the heavy D1 platform from the Volkswagen Phaeton.
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/54931/audi-a8-to-join-panamera-on-rear-wheel-drive-platform-report
Audi A8 To Join Panamera On Rear-Wheel Drive Platform: Report
The next Audi A8 may eschew its front-drive roots with a move to the Volkswagen Group's MSB, or Modular Standard Platform.
According to a report from Car and Driver, the big saloon may soon share its underpinnings with the Porsche Panamera and Bentley Continental.
Audi's recently-appointed head of R&D, Wolfgang Duerheimer, has been handed responsibility for streamlining the VW Group's platforms and would surely have the 2016 A8 on his list.
The current A8 rides on the MLB platform, which also serves most of the Audi range from the A4 to the A7 as well as the Q5. MLB is the 'longitudinal' platform suited to mid-size front-wheel and four-wheel drive cars.
By contrast, MSB, or Modularer Standardantrieb-Baukasten is a front engine, rear-wheel drive platform, with the option to modify for mid-engine or rear-engine applications.
The common thread in the MSB is that the rear wheels are driven, matching the other heavyweight contenders from BMW and Mercedes. Naturally, all-wheel drive will remain an option.
The MSB architecture can also handle more power than MLB, another attractive feature for consideration for Audi.
The relatively low-volume A8 is ripe for consolidation into a group-wide strategy, spreading overall cost of development across three VW Group brands.
If the A8 were to switch to rear-wheel drive however, the MSB architecture would also force a switch to steel for its construction.
The current A8 is made up of a high proportion of aluminium. Aluminium is expensive, so switching to steel would make a huge difference to Audi's bottom line for the A8.
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Bentley
Bentley Motors Limited is a British designer, manufacturer,
and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs. Headquartered in Crewe,
England, the company was founded by W. O. Bentley (1888-1971)
in 1919 in Cricklewood, North London, and became widely known
for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929
and 1930. Bentley has been a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group
since 1998 and consolidated under VW's premium brand arm Audi
in 2022.
Official website: Bentley Motors
Official website: Bentley Motors
