2017 Bentley Flying Spur Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　

What’s new

　　New for 2017, the S variants of the Flying Spur and Flying Spur V8 are the sportier stablemates to their touring-oriented brothers. They both feature more power, 21-inch wheels, and recalibrated suspension and stability control systems to show off more dynamic capability.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Combining the attributes of a British steam train, an ocean liner and the Concorde, the 2017 Bentley Flying Spur is the most driver-focused of the world's elite luxury sedans. Confident power and stable handling are combined with British craftsmanship and luxury.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Bentley Flying Spur V8 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$255/mo  for Flying Spur V8

　　Flying Spur V8

　　V8 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $189,000 MSRPV8 S 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $205,000 MSRPW12 4dr Sedan AWD (6.0L 12cyl Turbo 8A) - $224,500 MSRPW12 S 4dr Sedan AWD (6.0L 12cyl Turbo 8A) - $244,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　To be clear, this isn't a sports car with four doors. In the past, we've described the Flying Spur as a living room that can go 200 mph, and the 2017 model is no different. According to Bentley, it takes 138 hours to build one from beginning to end. Standard equipment includes burl walnut veneer and a Naim sound system. And as is the case for most cars in this price bracket, Bentley will happily mix and match colors and materials to your heart's content, all for a price. But when modern prestige and road-going spirit are the goals, the Flying Spur occupies an enviable niche.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Combining the attributes of a British steam train, an ocean liner and the Concorde, the 2017 Bentley Flying Spur is the most driver-focused of the world's elite luxury sedans. Confident power and stable handling combine with British craftsmanship and luxury.

　　

Trim tested

　　zzdcar has not recently tested or driven this vehicle. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.

　　

Driving

　　With gobs of torque and an all-wheel-drive system that biases engine torque to the rear wheels to improve handling, the Flying Spur promises a relatively sporty driving experience by segment standards. The keyword there is "relatively"; this is an amply sized, heavy sedan after all.

　　

Comfort

　　This is the Flying Spur's raison d'être. Complete cocooning in real wood and leather, an adjustable suspension and a nearly silent powertrain enable passengers to feel almost completely isolated. But the rear seating isn't quite as posh as in other mega-buck luxury sedans.

　　

Interior

　　If you're into latest whiz-bang technology, the Flying Spur is not for you. Instead, focus on craftsmanship and the get-down-to-driving nature of the cockpit layout. The Flying Spur is one of the few cars left that invite you to just drive rather than fiddle with the in-car electronics.

　　

Utility

　　The only mission of the Flying Spur is to make its owner happy; utility is largely beside the point. Small storage space is limited, and the trunk can hold a respectable 16.7 cubic feet. But it's lined in plush carpet, of course.

　　

Technology

　　Yes, it's lacking compared to, say, a current-spec Hyundai, but the rear-seat remote climate control tablet is nice touch, and there's no fiddly knobs or gesture control systems to get in the way. Simple touchscreen and buttons are all that's available.

　　

Which Flying Spur does zzdcar recommend?

　　We recommend the standard Bentley Flying Spur. Built with a touring-oriented suspension calibration, it'll have better ride comfort over the highway, and its turbocharged W12 engine has plenty of passing and grade-pulling power. From there, go with the Mulliner Driving Specification. It's an interior and exterior design package with unique preselected materials.

　　

2017 Bentley Flying Spur models

　　The 2017 Bentley Flying Spur is offered in two main variants: Flying Spur V8 and Flying Spur W12. There are also sport versions: V8 S and W12 S. The V8 utilizes a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 good for 500 hp and 487 pound-feet of torque. On the V8 S, output is increased to 521 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. For the W12, a 6.0-liter W12 engine cranks out 616 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The W12 S version has an incremental increase to 626 hp and 605 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard on all versions.

　　Take a seat inside and you'll find real wood veneer and leather saturate the interior, and chromed and polished organ stop vent dampers still feature prominently on the dash. Standard feature highlights include an adjustable air suspension, a power trunklid, keyless ignition and entry, a Breitling analog dashboard clock, four-zone automatic climate control and heated and ventilated multi-way power front and rear seats. Also standard are an 8-inch front touchscreen, a navigation system, a rearview camera, voice controls and an eight-speaker audio system

　　The Mulliner specification adds 21-inch wheels (or any other kind of wheel you'd like, Bentley says), a chrome lower front bumper with wing insert, a choice of 17 diamond-quilted perforated interior hides (including a presumably non-literal Porpoise decor option) and six wood veneers, an indented leather headliner, a knurled shift knob, drilled alloy pedals and a special gas tank cap.

　　Other notable options include carbon-ceramic brakes, adaptive cruise control, various wheel designs, flip-down wooden picnic tables for rear passengers, upgraded stitching, a two-passenger rear compartment with a full-length center console, a rear entertainment system with twin display screens, Wi-Fi connectivity and a 13-speaker Naim sound system. Bentley also offers a seemingly endless array of different color, trim and upholstery customization options.

　　

2017 Flying Spur Highlights

Type: V8 SW12 SSedanSedan

　　Trim: V8V8 SW12W12 SV8

　　

Base MSRP	$189,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$255/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / unlimited miles