Bentley Flying Spur Review

In the luxury four-door sedan market, Bentley Flying Spur has always occupied the top position with its "mobile palace" positioning. However, with the new generation of consumers increasingly demanding performance and technology, the 2020 Flying Spur needs to showcase stronger competitiveness while continuing to uphold luxury. The core of this test drive is to verify whether it can satisfy modern high-end users' diverse needs by offering stronger power, smarter configurations, and more flexible handling while preserving Bentley's brand heritage.

The exterior of the 2020 Flying Spur continues the solemnity of the Bentley family, but with more youthfulness in the details. The front adopts a larger matrix grille, complemented by sharp LED headlights on both sides. The crystal-cut texture inside the light chamber is highly recognizable when illuminated. The side profile of the vehicle is sleek, with a streamline waistline that extends from the front fenders to the rear, making the 5316mm-long body appear less bulky. The 22-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels further accentuate the sporty feel. The rear design is relatively simple, featuring a quad-round exhaust layout on both sides and through-type LED tail lights, which maintain the stability of a luxury car while adding a touch of sophistication through the details. Overall, the exterior of the new Flying Spur aligns with Bentley's brand positioning and appears more modern compared to the previous model.

Entering the cabin, the first noticeable feature is the luxurious materials utilized. The center console is largely covered with genuine leather, while the door panels and seats are constructed with diamond stitching for a refined touch. The wooden trim offers a choice of walnut or piano black finishes, complemented by metallic buttons to create a low-key yet high-end feel. The center console layout is simpler compared to the older model, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen serving as the core interaction area. It supports CarPlay and Android Auto, and its operational fluency rivals mainstream new energy vehicles. Below the screen, some physical buttons are retained for convenient blind operation while driving. The seat configuration is also commendable, with front-row seats supporting 18-way electric adjustment and offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The rear independent seats are also equipped with heating and ventilation, and the central armrest conceals a touch panel for controlling the rear air conditioning and multimedia systems.

In terms of body dimensions, the new Flying Spur has a wheelbase of 3194mm, which is 128mm longer than the 2016 V8 model. The rear legroom has noticeably improved—passengers standing 180cm tall can sit with their knees two fists away from the front seat back. Storage space is decent, with a trunk capacity of 420L, capable of holding two 28-inch suitcases, meeting the needs of daily travel. The door storage slots and the central armrest box are spacious enough to store personal belongings. Furthermore, the rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents, USB-C charging ports, and a small table, offering practicality suitable for both business and family use scenarios.

As for power, the 2020 Flying Spur is equipped with a 6.0L twin-turbocharged W12 engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 635PS and a peak torque of 900N·m, paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox. During actual driving, the engine responds swiftly during acceleration. A light tap on the accelerator provides an immediate powerful push, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 3.8 seconds—a performance even surpassing many sports cars. When switched to sport mode, the transmission's shifting logic becomes more aggressive, with faster downshifts. Deeply pressing the accelerator during overtaking provides instant power without any delay. Compared to the 507PS horsepower of the 2016 V8 model, the power improvement in the new Flying Spur is very significant, fully satisfying users with speed demands.

In terms of handling, the new Flying Spur's steering wheel is precise with minimal play, light at low speeds, and stable at high speeds, making it feel less like a 2.4-ton vehicle when driving. The chassis is equipped with adaptive air suspension, which in standard mode filters out most road bumps. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, the body movement is minimal, maintaining the comfort of a luxury car. In sport mode, the suspension becomes firmer, enhancing support and providing excellent control over body roll during cornering, keeping the vehicle stable. The official combined fuel consumption is 15.7L/100km, which is reasonable considering its power specifications.

In terms of driving comfort, the new Flying Spur offers outstanding noise control. At high speeds, wind and tire noise are minimal, and engine noise only subtly enters the cabin under heavy acceleration. The seats provide good support and wrap around the body well, ensuring comfort even during long drives. However, due to its large body size, turning around in narrow roads or parking lots may require extra maneuvers, which can be slightly inconvenient.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2020 Flying Spur are prominent: powerful performance, incredible luxury, and spaciousness, with noticeable improvements in tech features and handling compared to the previous model. Compared to the same class of vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach or the top-tier BMW 7 Series, the new Flying Spur delivers stronger performance and has a more distinctive brand identity. It suits two types of consumers: first, entrepreneurs focusing on business receptions who want to showcase status with luxurious interiors and brand prestige; second, high-end young users seeking a balance of performance and comfort and who enjoy the thrill of speed while driving.

In summary, the 2020 Bentley Flying Spur not only carries on Bentley's legacy of luxury but also satisfies the diverse needs of modern high-end customers through upgraded performance and optimized technological features. It is both a business ride that exudes status and a performance car that offers driving pleasure, making it an all-rounder in the luxury four-door sedan market.