Four-door model, to be revealed in June 11, promises “unparalled agility”

The third-generation Bentley Flying Spur will be the first model from the marque to receive all-wheel steering, as the car maker seeks to make its four-door luxury saloon the most dynamic yet.

Alongside this, it will also feature active all-wheel drive and Bentley’s Dynamic ride system, as found on sibling model, the Continental GT. 

Bentley said the trio of systems promises “unparalleled agility in the segment,” which includes the Rolls Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S 600.

Exclusive first ride: 2020 Continental Flying Spur

It added that the introduction of all-wheel steering will “enhance both stability at highway speeds and manoeuvrability around town”.

The last two generations of Flying Spur used all-wheel drive, but the new model’s active system means drive is sent to the rear wheels in normal road conditions for a sportier feel.

This latest image and video (below) shows the model undergoing final testing at Nardo test track. 

Bentley has also shown an image (above) of the door card which features three-dimensional, textured leather upholstery, a claimed world-first.

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The final clue Bentley has shown ahead of the Flying Spur’s full reveal is a video (below) of the car’s bonnet and Flying B emblem, which appears to have illuminated wings.

The Crewe-based firm hopes that the upcoming Flying Spur, which will be unveiled on June 11, will appeal to a new generation of Bentley buyers. It will also aims to better distinguish the model from its two-door sibling, the Continental GT by having a more distinctive design with more defined surfaces.

It is, however, based on the same MSB platform as its sibling, and uses familiar Bentley engines, including the 6.0-litre W12 and V8. It’s also expected to be the next Bentley to receive a V6-powered plug-in hybrid. An electrified version will be crucial to bolster Bentley sales in China, among other markets. 

Bentley said: “Both sports sedan and luxury limousine, Bentley’s all-new Flying Spur owes only its historic name to the preceding model and will deliver an unparalleled touring experience for the driver and passengers alike.”

It added that the model is "ground up development that pushes the boundaries of both technology and craftsmanship to deliver segment-defining levels of performance and refinement". 

Following the launch of the Flying Spur, the firm will turn its focus to what Autocar understands will be a next step in its design, promising a more radical change to something more fresh and modern.  

It is Bentley’s centenary year, and a host of celebrations in July will include a concept reveal showcasing “the future of grand touring”.

Bentley, under the tenure of boss Adrian Hallmark, who joined last year from Jaguar Land Rover, is finalising its broader model strategy for the next few years, which is expected to focus on grand touring models and SUVs rather than sports cars.

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Comments
6

10 April 2019

I hope they go back to the smaller quad headlights, the current googly-eyed look like a late 90s Corolla or early 2000s Impreza ruins the front of modern Bentleys.

10 April 2019

Also not a fan of those smaller lights on the outside and the bigger lights inside. But interesting that they want to put the emphasis on sedans and SUVs - are the footballers fed up with their coupe's?  

wmb

10 April 2019

...Continental GT and Flying Spur have been, they are still fairly new to the range. Having come into being since VW Group acquired the brand in the late '90s and early '00s, they have certainly been a big hit! Yet the big change, IMHO, will be the next flagship. With the current one being able to trace its platform back to at least the end of the last century and it's engine going back even farther, the current flagship's next chapter is the thing to watch! With Bentley/VW suggesting that, due to tougher emissions and the weight/age of the its current architecture, their flagship's replacement will be new from the ground up! With the article say that the marque is set to focus on its next stage in design, it being a radical change, more fresh and mordern, the new flagship may not only sport a new platform and engine, it may not look much like anything that has come before it! Radical, fresh and modern in vehicles that change so little, may not be saying much, but the questions still remain: Will the architecture be all new, or will it share with the Flying Spur repalcement/Panamera? Will it have a V8 or use a 12 cylinder, donated from the Conti GT? Will there be electrification of some type introduced? And finally, what will it look like?  

16 May 2019

With Bentley being the same group as Porsche and Lamborghini, I can understand them not going down the more hardcore sportscar route

16 May 2019

my favourite bentley now is the flying spur so i hope they do this right. i hope they keep the big outer and smaller middle light rather than the other way roung like on the continental and the bentayga and especially the extremely ugly mulsanne with low down outer lights.

#IDONTPROOFREAD

16 May 2019

I can't say I like Bentley design very much.  As with the Mini, the designs of Bentley seem too fussy and bulbous. Not forward looking or contemporary in any way.  I think Aston Martin has the best design of any British company.  Rolls Royce does at least represent modern luxury, even if their cars are not exactly beautiful.  I find Bentley and Mini both represent a German idea of Britishness, rather than actual Britishness.  They are a pastiche of bygone British cars.

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