2016 Bentley Flying Spur V8 Review

Consumers in today's luxury executive sedan market are no longer satisfied with mere brand allure; they value a balance of design quality, ride comfort, and driving performance more. As a classic model in this segment, the 2016 Bentley Flying Spur V8, with its luxurious Bentley heritage and precise V8 tuning, has always been a focal point for high-end users. In this test drive, we will comprehensively assess whether this car can simultaneously meet the dignity required for business occasions and the agility for everyday driving, from static details to dynamic performance.

In terms of exterior design, the 2016 Flying Spur V8 continues Bentley's dignified style, with an overall elongated and flowing silhouette. Its 5299mm length and 3066mm wheelbase create the typical executive sedan stance. At the front, it features a large rectangular grille with chrome trim and Bentley's iconic round headlights, offering high recognition; the side profile has a waistline that extends from the front fender to the rear, paired with 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, maintaining a sense of luxury without appearing bulky; at the rear, the dual exhaust layout and the simple LED taillights complement each other, subtly hinting at its dynamic performance. For the lighting system, automatic headlights come standard, and their illumination range and brightness at night are adequate for daily needs.

Sitting inside, the interior materials and craftsmanship directly reflect Bentley's luxurious positioning. The dashboard is wrapped in a large area of genuine leather, and the wood veneer trim has a delicate texture with a warm touch; the seats are made of Nappa leather, with the front seats supporting multi-directional electric adjustment. The backrest and cushion padding are soft yet adequately supportive; the center console is equipped with a touchscreen, which, while not particularly large by today's standards, is user-friendly and has a clear operation logic. In terms of detailed configuration, features like front side airbags and front and rear air conditioning vents come as standard, while the rear seats also offer an independent air conditioning control panel to ensure passenger comfort. Regarding space, the front row provides approximately a fist and two fingers' worth of headroom, while the rear legroom exceeds two fists, ensuring even a 180cm passenger won't feel cramped during long rides. The trunk capacity can accommodate three 20-inch suitcases in its standard setup, meeting both business travel and short family trips' storage needs.

The powertrain is one of the core highlights of the 2016 Flying Spur V8, featuring a 3.9L twin-turbocharged V8 engine that delivers a maximum power of 507PS/6000rpm and a peak torque of 660N·m/1700rpm, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. During everyday driving, the transmission shifts smoothly, and the characteristic of reaching maximum torque at 1700rpm makes the vehicle feel light and responsive during acceleration. The throttle pedal is calibrated to be quite sensitive in the initial range, allowing for noticeable power response with light pressure. When switched to Sport mode, the transmission downshifts more rapidly, and the V8 engine's roar becomes deeper with a forceful press of the accelerator. Its 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.2 seconds is an excellent result, especially considering the vehicle's weight of 2.9 tons. During high-speed cruising, the engine speed stays around 1800rpm, providing ample power reserves. Overtaking requires no frequent downshifting; simply pressing the accelerator lightly is sufficient to surpass other vehicles.

In terms of handling, the Flying Spur V8 employs adaptive suspension at both the front and rear, with a chassis tuned to favor comfort while maintaining a certain level of support. During daily driving on smooth roads, the suspension absorbs most of the minor bumps, keeping the vehicle's body stable; when crossing speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension rebounds at a moderate pace, avoiding excessive sway. The steering wheel feels relatively heavy, and its steering accuracy ranks among the best within the executive sedan category. During turns, body roll is well-controlled, avoiding the "boat-like" sensation. In braking performance tests, the 100-0km/h braking distance is approximately 38 meters, and there is no significant decline in performance even after three consecutive braking attempts. The brake pedal feels linear, providing sufficient confidence to the driver.

In terms of fuel consumption performance, the official combined fuel consumption is 15.7L/100km. In actual testing, the fuel consumption in urban congested conditions is approximately 18-20L/100km, while it is about 12-13L/100km during highway cruising, meeting the expectations of a large displacement V8 engine. Regarding noise control, the suppression of wind and tire noise during high-speed driving is quite effective, and only during rapid acceleration will the engine roar penetrate the cabin, but it is not disturbing. The seats offer good wrapping and breathability, ensuring that long drives do not cause fatigue.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2016 Bentley Flying Spur V8 lie in its brand premium, luxurious interior craftsmanship, and well-balanced power and handling performance. Compared to models in the same segment, its V8 engine is slightly superior in terms of smoothness and explosiveness compared to some six-cylinder competitors, while the handcrafted details of the interior are also more distinctive. However, in terms of technological features, it may appear slightly outdated compared to newer models. This car is more suitable for users who value brand image and need to balance business reception with daily driving—whether it's serving as a business vehicle for picking up clients or taking the family on short trips over the weekend, it can handle the job.

In summary, the 2016 Bentley Flying Spur V8 is a "versatile" luxury executive sedan that does not overly favor comfort or performance, but instead strikes a good balance between the two. If you are pursuing the prestige brought by the Bentley brand and do not want to sacrifice driving enjoyment, then this car is worth considering.