Page 75 - Motor Trend (February 2020)
P. 75
FIRST DRIVE
Allow it to stretch its legs, tickling a assistance features include night vision, a 2020 Bentley Flying Spur
distant, gravelly snarl from the W-12, head-up display, a 360-degree overhead-
BASE PRICE $217,000 (est)
and the Flying Spur serenely compresses view camera, and parking assist, all
VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD,
time and space, the three-chamber air controlled via the intuitive Porsche-
4-5-pass, 4-door sedan
suspension shrugging off humps and developed 12.3-inch touchscreen.
ENGINE 6.0L/626-hp/664-lb-ft
heaves even as the anti-roll system The Flying Spur’s interior has all the
twin-turbo DOHC
keeps the big sedan as flat as a sports car warm wood, rich leather, and sparkling 48-valve W-12
through the corners. The steering feel is chrome you’d expect in a Bentley, but
TRANSMISSION 8-speed twin-clutch auto
meaty and authoritative, and the massive it’s been executed with a subtly modern
CURB WEIGHT 5,400 lb (mfr)
brakes—16.5-inch rotors up front and twist. No fewer than 15 standard leather
WHEELBASE 125.7 in
15.0-inchers at the rear—are resolute in colors are offered—mixing and matching
their response. is allowed, as is contrasting stitching. In LENGTH X 209.3 x 77.9 x 58.4 in
WIDTH X HEIGHT
For all that, though, the Flying Spur addition, buyers can choose from eight
0-60 MPH 3.7 sec (mfr est)
does some of its best work schmoozing wood veneers and an optional etched
around town. Which is probably just as finish on the center console. EPA FUEL ECON Not yet tested
well, as this is how most will be driven. Three audio systems are available, ON SALE IN U.S. Spring 2020
Porsche’s eight-speed dual-clutch ranging from a standard 650-watt system
transmission initially proved a headache with 10 speakers to a 1,500-watt Bang and ventilated rear seats—the slitlike
for Bentley engineers, as they couldn’t & Olufsen to a monster 2,200-watt windows an inevitable byproduct of that
match the smooth takeoff and gearshifts Naim with 19 speakers and active bass rakish roofline.
of a torque converter under light throttle. transducers built into the front seats. To suggest the Bentley Flying Spur is a
But a ton of development work has Rear passengers can control window limo best enjoyed from the driver’s seat
eliminated the clunkiness evident in the blinds, massage, climate control, music, would be absolutely on brand. Bentleys
Continental coupe. and mood lighting. Detachable tablets have always been luxury cars for people
The Bentley offers a City Specification allow them to use apps, including who like to drive. Available only with the
package, which bundles hands-free trunk those in the Google Play store. But W-12 for now—a V-8 is coming—expect
opening, pedestrian warning, and reverse tall passengers might find themselves the 2020 Bentley Flying Spur to start at
traffic warning. Other available driver peering out from their 14-way heated about $217,000. It looks a bargain. Q
FEBRUARY 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 75
