Bentley has announced the launch of the Flying Spur Speed, which, with 635hp, it claims is the most driver-focused version of the company's saloon seen to date.
Extra performance
The arrival of the new model, sitting above the Flying Spur S in Bentley's line-up, sees the axing of the standard twelve-cylinder Flying Spur, but offers compensation in the form of an extra 85hp and 130Nm of torque over the V8-engined Flying Spur S thanks to its twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine.
There's an obvious performance benefit to that extra power and torque too, with the 0-100km/h sprint dispensed with in 3.8 seconds, an improvement of around half a second compared to the S, along with a higher top speed of 333km/h.
Sportier looks
Like Bentley's Continental GT Speed, the Flying Spur gets a few differentiators setting it apart from the rest of the range. The styling cues are edgier and sportier than other models', and the Speed is additionally available in two specifications: Blackline and Styling.
Blackline, seen as an option throughout Bentley's model range, replaces most of the brightwork with dark or black alternatives. Receiving the Blackline treatment are the front grilles, headlamps and taillight surrounds, along with the "Speed" badging on the lower wing. That same theme can be continued through to the Speed-exclusive 22-inch alloy wheels that can be optioned in dark shades as well as silver.
Styling specification gives the Speed a more performance-oriented look still with a carbon fibre front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and a subtle boot-lid spoiler in addition to the dark Blackline cues.
Inside, the use of the Alcantara-like Dinamica gives the Speed a slightly sporty look, though it's not Bentley's regular Dinamica - this is Dinamica Pure, made with 73 per cent recycled polyester. And no, the Flying Spur hasn't gone spartan as there are still vast swathes of leather and wood veneers in a wide variety of colours and finishes.
The front seats are 24-way adjustable (14-way for the rears), and all seats include heating, ventilation and massage functions.
Driving experience
The Flying Spur Speed gets the same eight-speed dual-clutch ZF transmission as the Continental GT. Faster gearshifts are achieved by pre-selecting the next gear, shortening the interruption of torque to the wheels and so improving acceleration and performance. Maximum speed is reached in sixth gear, with seventh and eighth "used for economic grand touring".
Drive is sent primarily to the rear axle, though depending on the conditions and level of wheel slip, the all-wheel-drive system can send power to the front wheels too, improving turn-in and "virtually eliminating" the type of understeer normally experienced with fixed all-wheel-drive cars, according to Bentley.
Electronic all-wheel steering is standard, and during low-speed manoeuvres such as around town, the system steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front wheels reducing the turning circle, increasing agility and making parking easier. At higher speeds, the system steers the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels, increasing stability.
Bentley's Dynamic Ride System, also standard, employs a 48-volt system controlling an electronic actuator that manages the stiffness of the anti-roll bar, changing it on demand to keep the Flying Spur flat and level under cornering.
Bentley anticipates that the biggest markets for its W12-engined Speed will be Europe, the United States and the Middle East, with the first two likely accounting for around a third of sales, and the Middle East taking around a fifth, something perhaps a little surprising considering the current eye-watering cost of fuel in Europe. Still, it's not as if refuelling the Speed won't be a luxurious experience in itself - the fuel filler cap, like the oil filler, is encrusted with jewels.