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Production of new Bentley Flying Spur begins
Production of the all-new, third-generation Bentley Flying Spur is now underway, with the first customer deliveries set for early 2020.
The most advanced Bentley ever built, and in a sign of the exacting levels of attention to detail, nearly 200 people handcraft every Flying Spur through 84 different assembly stages at the company’s factory headquarters in Crewe.
Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Great Britain – production of the new Bentley Flying Spur is now underway / Picture: Bentley Motors
Production began following demanding development testing which has seen the ultimate luxury grand touring sedan cover over one million miles, and has involved the use of 142 prototypes and pre-production cars. The Flying Spur has toured 18 countries across four continents; in temperatures ranging from -34 oC to +48oC; and at altitudes from 61 metres below sea level to 4,300 metres above.
Reliability and usability were analysed in over 507,000 miles of testing on public roads, while 200,000 miles were driven on proving grounds to validate components and systems. A total of 1.65 million miles (equivalent to circling the world 41 times) of simulated durability testing of the chassis components was conducted either using test rigs or on the road.
Peter Bosch, Board Member for Manufacturing at Bentley Motors, said: “The new Flying Spur is a leap forward in combining state of the art high technology with a modern ultra-luxurious interior and exterior.
“Every single example is an artisanal piece of art, handcrafted using the finest, authentic materials and surfaces that are unmistakably Bentley. The car truly delivers the duality of sports sedan agility and contemporary limousine refinement.”
The first customer deliveries of the new Flying Spur are set to start in early 2020 / Picture: Bentley Motors
Performance-orientated agility and four-door, limousine-style comfort
The Flying Spur has been completely reinvented for 2019 to showcase a more purposeful and emotional design. Hand-built in Britain, the ultimate luxury grand touring sedan’s athletic stance benefits from an extended wheelbase, while a retractable Bentley ‘Flying B’ mascot features for the first time on a modern-day Flying Spur.
The cabin is unmistakably Bentley, with contemporary design lines flowing from the new wing-themed fascia through the passenger areas. Optimal comfort and style are delivered by completely new-design fluted leather seats, which feature diamond quilting for the Mulliner Driving Specification, while three-dimensional diamond-quilted leather doors inserts are a world first.
In the front, the unique Bentley Rotating Display is the central feature of an exquisitely crafted dashboard, while the centrepiece of the rear seat experience is a state-of-the-art detachable Touch Screen Remote Control that can operate all the major functions.
The application of light plays an integral part in the Flying Spur experience, with a panoramic glass sunroof that stretches the full length of the roof and an innovative multi-configuration mood lighting system both available. Three superlative audio systems, including a range-topping 2,200W Naim system, will equally satisfy those seeking the ultimate aural thrill.
The all-new Flying Spur leads the way in the luxury car segment for state-of-the-art, innovative technology. A wide range of Advanced Connectivity features are available, as are cutting-edge driver assistance systems such as a Night Vision infra-red camera, Traffic Assist and a Head-Up Display.
Electronic All-Wheel Steering is used for the first time in a Bentley, combining with Active All-Wheel Drive and Bentley Dynamic Ride – the world’s first 48V electric anti-roll system – to deliver phenomenal handling and ride. New, three-chamber air springs offer a much greater range of suspension adjustment between limousine-style ride comfort and sporting levels of body control.
The new Flying Spur is powered by an enhanced version of Bentley’s 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12, which sets the benchmark in performance, agility and dynamism for the segment. Mated to an advanced dual-clutch eight-speed transmission, it has a top speed of 207 mph (333 km/h), and a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds).