Car
April 7, 2015
First Drive of the New Bentley Flying Spur in Japan | Bentley
Bentley Flying Spur
The Second Generation, Evolved to Be More Beautiful and More Comfortable
Test Drive of the New Flying Spur in Japan
Following its full model change after eight years, unveiled at the MarchGeneva Motor ShowinWorld PremiereBentley Flying Spur. This luxury sports saloon, embodying Bentley's tradition of craftsmanship in its exterior and interior, combined with the high-tech features of the Volkswagen Group, how has it evolved?Tatsuya Kuushima's International Test Drive in Chinafollowed by Tatsuya Otani's turn at the wheel of theFlying Spur, which has now landed in Japan.He took the wheel of the Flying Spur.
Text by OTANI TatsuyaPhotographs by ARAKAWA Masayuki
The Spirit of Bentley
"The automotive manufacturer leading the global luxury car market," "The only super-luxury brand with six Le Mans victories," "The automotive manufacturer producing the most 12-cylinder engines in the world."—Bentley has received countless other accolades. However, perhaps the belief that Bentley cherishes most is: "We continue to build the world's finest driver's cars."
When one thinks of Bentley, the first image that comes to mind is its luxurious interior, lavishly appointed with leather and wood. This is a realm that mass-producing automotive manufacturers, even those in the same luxury segment, who sell hundreds of thousands of units annually, simply cannot achieve (Bentley's annual sales in 2012 were 8,510 units).
On the other hand, as a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, Bentley enjoys the privilege of fully utilizing the latest technologies developed by Volkswagen and Audi. In other words, Bentley is one of the few automotive manufacturers that can freely employ both the high-end quality achievable only through handcraftsmanship and the cutting-edge technology that can only be realized by a large-scale automotive manufacturer.
However, it is immediately apparent, by looking back at its history and test-driving its latest models, that Bentley has not been a manufacturer that has solely focused on luxury cars.
Historically, its five victories at Le Mans between 1924 and 1930 are legendary. In 1930, a "Bentley Speed Six Saloon" embarked on an adventurous journey, crossing the English Channel to London, arriving faster than the "Blue Train" express that departed from Cannes at the same time.
That spirit continues today, with the company achieving its sixth Le Mans victory inits sixth Le Mans victory in 2003, and its production models equipped with powerful twin-turbo engines, such as theContinental series, which boasts up to 625ps driving all four wheels, demonstrating exceptional traction and stable cornering on real-world roads.
While there are slight character differences depending on the engine, all models offer agile and precise handling that belies their weight of over two tons. "After all, a Bentley is not just a luxury saloon, but a robust GT car." Anyone who drives one will surely agree.
Bentley Flying Spur
The Second Generation, Evolved to Be More Beautiful and More Comfortable
Test Drive of the New Flying Spur in Japan (2)
Enhanced Rear Seat Comfort
The newly redesigned Flying Spur has two major distinguishing features. Firstly, the "Continental" designation, symbolizing its two-door coupe heritage, has been removed, and it is now simply called the "Bentley Flying Spur." Secondly, efforts have been made to improve the comfort of the rear seats, which had received less than stellar reviews.
There is a surprising connection between these two points, with the key lying in China, now the world's largest automotive market. The demand for luxury cars in China is immense, and many luxury car manufacturers openly state that "China is our number one market."
For Bentley, which achieved 22 percent growth year-on-year in 2012, the Chinese market is crucial. In 2012, Bentley sold 2,253 units in China, second only to the 2,457 units sold in the United States. Furthermore, its growth rate in China, at 23 percent, surpassed that of the US at 22 percent.
In China, many luxury car owners prefer to be chauffeured, with a professional driver at the wheel while the owner relaxes in the rear seats.
This preference contributes to the strong demand for four-door saloons, making China Bentley's largest market for four-door models. In fact, statistics show that approximately 90 percent of Bentleys sold in China are used as chauffeured vehicles.
The request from China was for "more comfortable rear seats." As a driver's car, Bentley's design philosophy prioritizes drivability, and it seems there were some shortcomings in rear-seat quietness and spaciousness.
Personally, whenever I have the chance to drive a Bentley, I actively take the wheel, so I've rarely sat in the rear and never had any complaints. However, if discerning Chinese luxury car owners say so, it must be true.
Incidentally, I have recently heard comments from multiple sources stating that "Chinese customers have a very discerning aesthetic sense." It's likely that Bentley could not afford to disregard their opinions and preferences.
Furthermore, the removal of the "Continental" name, which suggested a connection to two-door coupes, can be seen as a result of the Flying Spur's increased emphasis on its identity as a four-door saloon.
Of course, if the Bentley Flying Spur, with its four-door saloon body, can enhance rear-seat comfort without compromising its driver's car qualities, that would be ideal. Even for a driver's car, one might occasionally invite family or friends to the rear seats, or even find oneself sitting there.
Considering this, the recent improvements should undoubtedly be welcomed. However, as mentioned earlier, this is with the condition that "the driver's car qualities have not been compromised."
Bentley Flying Spur
The Second Generation, Evolved to Be More Beautiful and More Comfortable
Test Drive of the New Flying Spur in Japan (3)
A Distinctly British Character
So, what was the result of the test drive? Thanks to the newly adopted underfloor sound-absorbing panels and soundproofing materials, the quietness clearly surpasses that of the previous model. For instance, engine noise and road noise, sounds generated by the car itself, are almost perfectly isolated, creating an extremely quiet cabin. However, this quietness is different from the sealed-off silence achieved by German luxury cars through tightly closed doors and windows.
Indeed, the atmosphere from outside is subtly conveyed into the cabin, and subjectively, it feels as though the air is being exchanged freely between the outside and inside, preventing any sense of stuffiness. This allows for an experience that combines a strong sense of openness with excellent quietness. This is perhaps what one might call the Bentley or, more broadly, the British character.
Furthermore, while the engine specifications match the highest spec of the Continental,GT Speed, when accelerating at full throttle, unlike the Continental, the exhaust note does not dramatically increase; instead, it accelerates smoothly while maintaining excellent quietness. Cars that blare loud exhaust notes without regard for those around them are, unfortunately, not to my taste.
Soundproof glass, which contributes to the cabin's quietness. A special film is sandwiched between two panes of glass.
Four-Stage Air Suspension Settings
The ride comfort has been further enhanced. The four-stage adjustable air suspension settings are generally on the softer side, and the difference between each setting is not significant. If I were the owner and hadn't changed the setting for a while, I wouldn't be surprised if I forgot which one I had selected.
However, this applies to the front seats. When moving to the rear seats, the difference becomes surprisingly clear. If we consider the softest position as 1 and the firmest as 4, position 1, which felt merely comfortable from the front, is a bit too soft, and one might wish for less vertical movement. Position 2 offers a ride that can be described as quintessentially British.
The damping of vibrations is reasonably quick, and the suppression of harshness is also acceptable. Overall, it receives the highest score. Position 3, with slightly increased damping, offers a completely different ride, akin to a high-performance German sedan. The rapid settling of oscillations after encountering disturbances is particularly impressive, making it suitable for those who prioritize damping performance over minor harshness.
On the other hand, in the firmest setting, 4, while the impact harshness is just barely acceptable, the forceful suppression of vibrations feels somewhat intrusive. From the perspective of a rear passenger, this setting would not be ideal.
Bentley Flying Spur
The Second Generation, Evolved to Be More Beautiful and More Comfortable
Test Drive of the New Flying Spur in Japan (4)
Consistently Gentle
What about the handling? Despite the overall improvement in comfort, there were no significant drawbacks in terms of handling stability. The response to minor steering inputs at high speeds was also sufficient.
I attempted some aggressive cornering in a safe location, and the car maintained a remarkably stable posture. Although the test drive was primarily in urban areas and I couldn't test it on winding mountain roads, based on my past experience, I don't believe Bentley's characteristic handling has been significantly compromised.
The same applies to the powertrain. The 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbo engine, producing 625ps, generates a massive 800Nm of torque at a low 2,000rpm. However, even with careless driving in the city, this immense engine does not become unruly, maintaining a consistently docile demeanor.
Its supercar-like performance, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 322 km/h, is only unleashed when the driver explicitly demands it.
Meanwhile, fuel efficiency has improved by 13.5 percent compared to the previous model, thanks to the adoption of ZF's latest 8-speed automatic transmission, achieving 14.7 L/100km on the EU cycle, or 6.8 km/L by Japanese standards. While not exactly commendable, this may not be a significant concern for buyers in this luxury saloon segment.
Bentley Flying Spur
The Second Generation, Evolved to Be More Beautiful and More Comfortable
Test Drive of the New Flying Spur in Japan (5)
A Sense of Quality Emanating from the Entire Body
Although it's being introduced last, I personally believe the exterior design is the most compelling aspect of the new Flying Spur.
Similar to the new Continental GT, the edges of the fenders, formed using the superforming technique employed in the aerospace industry, are exceptionally sharp. These body panels, with their crisp lines like a freshly ironed shirt, seem to elevate the car's inherent sense of luxury.
The styling where the strong C-pillar meets the rear fender is exceptionally well-balanced, reminiscent of Bentley's flagship model,Mulsanne.
In fact, it's not just the rear section that evokes the Mulsanne; the overall quality emanating from the body seems to approach that of the Mulsanne.
The new Bentley Flying Spur, with its improved comfort and refined styling, now boasts a maximum output of 625ps, surpassing the previous generation'sFlying Spur Speed's 610ps. Notably, the price has been reduced by approximately 3 million yen (!), making it a more accessible option, which is also a point worth considering.
Bentley Flying Spur
Body Dimensions | Length 5,295 x Width 1,976 x Height 1,488 mm
Wheelbase | 3,065 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,643 / 1,642 mm
Weight | 2,475 kg
Engine | 5,998cc W12 Direct Injection DOHC Twin-Scroll Twin-Turbo
Max Output | 460 kW (625ps) / 6,000 rpm
Max Torque | 800 Nm / 2,000 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain | 4WD (Front 40: Rear 60)
Suspension (Front) | 4-link Double Wishbone Air Suspension
Suspension (Rear) | Trapezoidal Multi-link Air Suspension
Tires Front/Rear | 275/45ZR19
Min. Turning Radius | 5.85 m
Cd Value | 0.29
Top Speed | 322 km/h
0-100km/h Acceleration | 4.6 Seconds
Fuel Consumption (EU Cycle) | 14.7 L/100km
CO2 Emissions | 343 g/km
Price | 22,800,000 Yen