Bentley unveils latest Flying Spur in APAC, slated for 2Q20 deliveries

By Xavier Kong

THE third generation of Bentley Motors’ Flying Spur was recently unveiled in Singapore, with customers in the region slated to enjoy its new Grand Touring (GT) sedan in the second quarter of 2020.

Marked as the ultimate luxury GT sedan, the new Flying Spur was unveiled in partnership with Bentley Singapore, the oldest brand retailer outside of the United Kingdom and now under the umbrella of the Starchase group, which represents Bentley in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, and Jakarta.

“The third-generation Flying Spur is a showcase for Bentley’s contemporary sculptural design language and with a bold and exciting road presence, it is unmistakably Bentley,” says Bentley Motors Asia-Pacific operations director David Lane.

Built ground up from a new platform

This four-door sedan is built on an entirely new platform, with an extended wheelbase from the front axle being moved forward. Projecting power, elegance, and athleticism, the Flying Spur features the marque’s latest generation cut-crystal effect LED matrix headlights and wrap-around rear lights that incorporate the signature “B” motif of Bentley. Customers can also pick between the new 21- and 22-inch wheel designs, lending more personality to the sedan, which is available in a multitude of colours.

Another point of interest is that, for the first time on a modern Flying Spur, the retractable Bentley “Flying B” mascot is proudly displayed. It is electronically operated, and retracts beneath a Bentley badge.

Also available for the Flying Spur is a Blackline specification that makes subtle but distinctive changes to the sedan. The exterior brightware such as the mascot, radiator vanes, matrix grilles, side window surrounds and lower door and rear bumper blades are given a distinguished, darkened treatment, with the front and rear light bezels, door handles, wing vents, and exhaust outlets receiving the same.

Coming standard with the Blackline are 21-inch five tri-spoke alloy wheels, with an option for 22-inch Mulliner Driving Specification wheels as well.

It’s spelled ‘luxury’

On the inside, the handcrafted cabin features newly designed seats available in 15 colours, with the marque’s “Wing” theme stylised across the dashboard. The Bentley Rotating Display is also a unique and central feature of this sedan, and it gives the driver an option of three different dashboard types which rotate at the push of a button.

These are a 12.3-inch digital touchscreen, beautiful analogue dials, or a wood veneer finish for a clean feel to the dashboard. Unique as well are the three-dimensional diamond-quilted leather inserts, a world’s first which combine with the wood veneer and multi-configuration mood lighting to offer a luxurious travelling environment.

In terms of audio, the Flying Spur features three superlative audio systems, including a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen system, with the option for a unique 2200W Naim system also available. Customers can also opt for a panoramic glass sunroof that stretches the full length of the roof.

Dynamic driving

The new Flying Spur features a new advanced aluminium and composite chassis, which makes it almost 38kg lighter. A combination of craftsmanship and engineering expertise makes it possible for a large part of the chassis to be molded from a single piece of aluminium, while still featuring the clean, defining lines of the Flying Spur.

The GT sedan also features electronic all-wheel steering for the first time on a Bentley, coupled with an active all-wheel drive and Bentley Dynamic Ride (world’s first 48V electric anti-roll system), along with a host of new driver assistance systems, such as a night vision infra-red camera, traffic assist, blind spot warning, and a heads-up display.

The Flying Spur also features three-chamber air springs, offering a much greater range of suspension adjustment between limousine-style ride comfort and sporting levels of body control.

Powering the Flying Spur is an enhanced version of Bentley’s 6-litre, twin-turbocharged W12, with an advanced dual-clutch eight-speed transmission for smoother gear changes. The new TSI engine lets the Flying Spur really fly, going from 0 to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 333km/h.

Sustainability in luxury

It was also shared that Bentley stands as the first British luxury car company that is carbon-neutral in its production, with solar panels to power its production facility in Crewe. The facility also features its own apiary, with jars of honey harvested in 2019.

By 2023, hybrid versions of Bentley models will be made available, with the marque’s first fully-electric vehicle to come soon after that.

Bentley Asia-Pacific has also seen a growing network over the past two years, with new showroom openings in Phnom Penh, Gold Coast, and Adelaide. The Ho Chi Minh showroom will open in January, and the Asia-Pacific region will also be including Japan and Korea in its network. – Jan 9, 2020

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