A bespoke and tailored fit is not only meant to be a perfect fit but an extension of your personality. It helps you stand out, reflecting your confidence and style. In the world of luxury limousines, the 2020 Bentley Flying Spur W12 embodies this very expression, offering a vast canvas for discerning drivers to unleash their bespoke desires, ranging from interior wood trim finishes and handstitched leather hides (fifteen, to be precise) to rear-seat picnic tables and name-personalized door scuff plates, courtesy of the optional Mulliner Driving Specification. Meanwhile, a surge of power awaits at the driver’s command – a mighty 6-liter twin-turbo W12 engine – to ensure your inner thrill-seeking demigod goes satisfied. Luckily, the Flying Spur looks as powerful as it is elegantly fast, gracing smooth, flowing lines with a hint of muscularity that reminds of the brute force within. Still, classic nods of Bentley cues and styling decorate the exterior, adding a touch of class to the overall modern aesthetics. However, such exclusivity comes at a cost, with prices with prices climbing faster with each bespoke touch. So, new, the 2020 Flying Spur retailed at a hefty $260,000 before options were ticked in.
The Flying Spur nameplate rose to life in 2005 as a four-door luxury saloon alternative to the outgoing coupe-styled Continental GT. And so, underneath the skin, the Flying Spur packed similar performance – a 6-liter Biturbo W12 – and the added practicality of a four-door saloon that one might expect from a Bentley. Soon, the Flying Spur would etch its name in the books of automotive history, becoming the fastest, most powerful production saloon of its time. Eventually, the dominance would pursue, this time through the Flying Spur Speed variants, introduced in 2008 as a high-performance iteration of the contemporary lineup, raising the top-speed bar to a back-massaging 200 mph! By 2013, a mid-cycle update dawned on the Flying Spur lineup, ushering in a new era of technological advancements while preserving the timelessly elegant character that defines Bentley. More importantly, newer engine options joined the lineup, including throaty (yet fuel-efficient) twin-turbo V8s, ensuring a Bentley for each discerning driver. Fast forward to 2019, Bentley queued in the third-generation Flying Spur, now teetering on the precipice of hybridization and electrification.
The 2020 Flying Spur W12 is run by a potent, VW-sourced 6-liter biturbo W12, pumping a galloping 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque available anywhere in the rev range. The gas-guzzling engine is mated to a lightning-quick 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, channeling fury to all four wheels via a rear-drive biased AWD drivetrain. Eventually, a 0 to 60 mph feat is clocked in at a breathtaking 3.7 seconds. On the topic of top-speed runs, the Flying Spur W12 stretches its legs up to a wind-shredding 207 mph (333 km/h). Still, the 2020 Spur equips Bentley's trademark 48-volt Dynamic Ride, featuring an adaptive air suspension and three-chamber air springs for fine-tuned handling and feedback. However, the Flying Spur is – by all means – a heavy car, tipping the scales at a hefty 5,200 pounds. And so, it was only fit for Bentley to equip the Flying Spur with 420 mm iron brakes on the front, the largest in the world.
Thankfully, the 2020 Flying Spur W12 lives up to the hype, offering an interior adorned with soft, handstitched leather hide, available in a rich palette of fifteen distinct hues. Look around, and the genuine wood veneers capture your gaze, adding warmth to your eyes with grain-rich tones. Closely complementing such elegance are the diamond-knurled metal dials and premium, quite solid switches and buttons peppering the cabin in a tactile concerto. Tech-wise, the Spur feels short in words, sporting features like the panoramic sunroof, mood-setting ambient lighting, multi-zone climate control, massaging seats, and the list goes on. Meanwhile, a fully digital infotainment cluster lies beyond the steering wheel, followed closely by a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen in the middle, allowing intuitive controls for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, sat-nav, and a stonking 19-speaker premium (NAIM) sound system for the true audiophiles.
Visually, though, the Flying Spur W12 doesn’t disappoint, with smooth, quite elegant lines gracing the exterior. Dominating the front fascia is the iconic Bentley matrix grille, with the (retractable) Flying B emblem perched atop like a proud sentinel. The grille is separated by sleek, LED matrix headlights, announcing the Bentley’s arrival from a distance. As you move down the flanks, the 22-inch wheels come into full view, expressing the Spur’s hidden prowess alongside the flared arches they reside in. Approaching the rear, the symphony of chrome detailing continues while a pair of oval-shaped tailpipes promise the ears with W12 bliss.
The 2020 Bentley Flying Spur leads the class with its cutting-edge portfolio of tech-influenced features and equipment. These range from heated/cooled seats (with massage options) to multi-zone climate control, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, touch-capacitive infotainment system, and an 'industry-first' Bentley Rotating Display, revealing up to three distinct dash panels – including an infotainment touchscreen, an elegantly clean veneer panel, and classic analogue gauges – for a blend of luxury and functionality. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, a series of ADAS features work tirelessly to ensure occupants' safety (and comfort) remains of utmost priority. These include Traffic Assist, Lane Departure/Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, City Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
As with all Bentleys, exclusivity comes at a price. So, the 2020 Bentley Flying Spur W12 fetches a cool $260,000 with room left for optional extras. These range from the $13k Mulliner Driving Specification and a whopping $44k First Edition Specification to the $8.3k Touring Specification. Add these up, and you'll soon be looking north of $300,000. Want to join the ultrarich patron club? Well, the Bentley listings at Exotic Car Trader might be the perfect springboard for your bespoke journey.
While the new generation Flying Spurs are a leap forward in terms of technology, driver-assistance features, and handcrafted luxury, a bittersweet truth lies ahead. Bentley, ever the innovator, has set its eyes on an electric future, pulling the plug on the iconic W12 and paving the way for silent, sustainable grand touring. Exotic Car Trader is the go-to online platform when buying and selling exotic cars online (safely and securely, that is). It presents a class-leading, highly intuitive car-buying process, guaranteeing a smooth and transparent car-buying journey. Meanwhile, it also highlights a straightforward yet in-depth car-selling guide – utilizing an experienced team and the latest market trends – to promise an effortless car-selling experience.
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