The new Flying Spur flagship combines dark styling tweaks with stellar performance
There's a new king of the Flying Spur family and it carries the W12 S moniker, where "S" most likely comes from "Sport."
It's the first four-door Bentley capable of reaching a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h), thanks to an uprated 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbo engine. Power and torque are up 10 PS and 20 Nm compared to the standard Flying Spur W12, totaling 635 PS (626 hp) and 820 Nm (605 lb-ft).
Peak torque comes in at just 2,000 rpm, helping the performance-oriented luxury sedan cover the 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 4.5 seconds (0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds). The all-wheel-drive system with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split certainly helps.
But the Flying Spur W12 S a more than just a souped-up W12. Thanks to a revised suspension, body control, handling and traction are improved without affecting comfort — at least that's what Bentley claims. The range-topping Flying Spur features dedicated damper and stability control calibrations for a more involving drive. It can even be ordered with optional carbon ceramic brakes sporting red or black painted calipers.
Styling-wise, the Bentley Flying Spur W12 S gets a gloss black exterior treatment that includes the radiator grille, light and window surrounds, door handle inserts, headlight washer caps, and rear diffuser. The LED daytime running lights, the gloss black 21-inch alloy wheels, and the optional carbon fiber veneer add a more contemporary feel to the luxury sedan. The model can also be recognized thanks to a new W12 S badge on the D-pillar as well as the smoked out lights.
Inside, unique details include a black engine-spin finish to the fascia and waist rails, a W12 S headrest emblem, W12 S tread plates for the front and rear, a three-spoke Sport Plus steering wheel and knurled gearshift paddles. The single-tone interior features accents in one of 17 hide colors as well as unique contrast stitching.
Bentley will start customer deliveries at the end of the year.