New Flying Spur Speed gets 782hp PHEV V8

Bentley has taken the wraps off its fourth generation Flying Spur, claiming it to be nothing less than its first four-door supercar. As with the recently revealed Continental GT, the Spur launches in Speed spec ahead of other derivatives, which means a whole host of preposterous numbers. Even for Bentley, 782hp, 737lb ft, 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and 47 miles of electric range will take some getting used to. 

The powertrain is carried over from the coupe, combining a 600hp version of the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 with a 190hp e-motor that’s part of the eight-speed DCT. Compared to the extremely fast, extremely powerful outgoing Speed (659hp, 590lb ft), this one has 19 per cent more power and more than 11 per cent extra torque. Bentley reckons on a system range of 515 miles, which feels appropriately chunky for a big B-badged saloon, with electric power available up to 87mph. All familiar from the two-door, if still no less shocking yet. 

While the Spur is clearly a different prospect to the GT, it very closely resembles the old car to look at. Even in Tourmaline Green. Bentley concedes as much, suggesting that this fourth generation car ‘retains the familiar, muscular yet elegant design of the Flying Spur launched in 2019’. No bad thing, it could easily be said. Small cosmetic tweaks include new designs of 22-inch wheels plus dark tinted brightware and a redesigned Speed-specific grille. There are 101 standard colours to choose from if this green is a bit much, but suffice it to say it’ll likely require a keen eye to tell a new Spur Speed from an old one. 

As with the GT, it’ll be the chassis revisions (as well as that monster powertrain) that make the biggest difference. All the good stuff from that car can be found here, including the Bentley Performance Active Chassis: Dynamic Ride, All-wheel steering, an eLSD and new ESC are all bundled into that. Given the huge strides forward made with the old Speed dynamically, expectations will be high this time around. Weight distribution (there isn’t an exact kilogram figure for the moment, the coupe is 2,459kg) is now slightly rear biased, at 48.3:51.7. The twin-valve dampers that have proved so impressive in cars like the Porsche Panamera are standard fit, promising a comfier Comfort setting and a sportier Sport one. Excellent.

For those more interested in the cosseting side of a Bentley than the cornering one, this latest Spur is underpinned by new electrical architecture, the kind of thing that will only become more important in coming years. The promise is of a ‘seamless experience in terms of wellness, driver assistance, infotainment systems and connected car services.’ A big deal. The new platform means new options, too, including a Wellness Seating Specification for all four chairs, which can maintain the perfect body temperature as well as perform a fatigue reducing massage. There’s an air ioniser as standard, synced with the nav to know when it might be good to recirculate cabin air rather than draw it from outside (i.e. tunnels, traffic, car parks). CarPlay is now wireless, Remote Park Assist is included, and the driver’s dials have had a refresh – lots of good stuff, basically. The Rotating Display is still available, and the dark tinted chrome outside can be repeated for the interior. 

We should probably mention the Spur Speed stereo options, too, as a good sound system is vital to the experience – and Bentley has been fitting some incredible setups of late. Standard is 10-speakers and 650 Watts, though don’t expect many buyers to keep that, not with either a Bang & Olufsen (1,500W, 16 speakers) or the mighty Naim system – complete with 19 speakers and 2,200W – also offered. The latter gets Active Bass Transducers and eight sound modes; laminated acoustic glass is said to reduce external noise by nine decibels compared to the standard windows, so your Ariana Grande karaoke shouldn’t suffer much interference at all. 

Much more to this update than meets the eye, then. The Ultra Performance Hybrid will be the headline-hogger, of course, though it sounds like there are revisions throughout the Spur to make every bit better than ever. And the old W12 car was already doing pretty great. Expect prices of this latest Spur Speed very soon, and hopefully a drive early in 2025.