What's this then?
It's the new Bentley Flying Spur.
Looks familiar...
Well, yes. It basically takes the front styling of the Continental GT coupe and adds it to a saloon shape that's very like that of the old Flying Spur. Don't be fooled, though - it's all new underneath.
New platform?
Yes, also shared with the GT, and with Porsche's Panamera. It uses a mixture of high-strength steel and superformed aluminium.
And the engine?
Only the one for now - the mighty W12 twin-turbo, pumping out 635hp and 900Nm of torque. Good for 62mph in 3.8 seconds from a standstill and a top speed of 207mph.
What about the luxury?
All of it. All of the luxury. Diamond quilted leather seats, bronze work around the radio panel and centre console, wall-to-wall walnut trim, oh and that brilliant rotating centre console that allows you to switch from massive touchscreen to analogue dials, depending on your mood.
You mentioned tech?
How about Traffic Assist, City Assist and Blind Spot Warning. Night Vision and Head Up Display help the driver focus on the road ahead, while Top View Camera gives an eagle-eyed view of the car and its immediate surroundings, complemented by reverse traffic warning and self-parking features, alongside Matrix LED headlights with a 'cut glass' appearance, and a chrome sleeve that makes them "sparkle, even when not lit." There's also four-wheel steering and an active anti-roll-bar system that sharpens the handling while improving the ride. Oh, and this is the first mild-hybrid Bentley saloon - it uses a 48-volt system to help power up all that tech.
When can I have one?
You can order one in the autumn, and it'll be delivered early in 2020.
"As with the launch of the Continental GT, the new Flying Spur is a ground up development that pushes the boundaries of both technology and craftsmanship to deliver segment-defining levels of performance and refinement," comments Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors.
Neil Briscoe - 11 Jun 2019