A History Forged with the Bentley Boys

Bentley is, at its core, a manufacturer of sports cars. This might come as a surprise to those who aren't deeply versed in automotive history.

From its inception in 1919, Bentley produced sports cars that ranked among the world's finest during the vintage era. From 1924 to 1930, the marque achieved five overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, supported by the 'Bentley Boys,' a team of wealthy amateur drivers.

Of course, this legacy is not confined to the past. The marque returned to Le Mans in the 21st century, and in 2003, the Speed 8 secured a triumphant victory, marking the first win in 73 years.Le Mans victoryThe spirit of a sports car manufacturer lives on. The "Continental GT" series, comprising two-door coupé and convertible models, is now celebrated worldwide as the ultimate all-weather, high-speed grand tourer.

Yet, Bentley's essence also lies in its saloons. Since the 1930s, the company has produced a remarkable line of saloons, cherished by affluent enthusiasts with a sporting inclination as 'everyday Bentleys.'

Why Saloons Are Bentley's Mainstream

There is a famous anecdote that speaks to the lineage of Bentley saloons. In March 1930, Captain Woolf Barnato, a prominent figure among the 'Bentley Boys' and a three-time Le Mans winner (1928-30), engaged in a road race in his personal Bentley 6½ Litre 'Speed Six' against the famed 'Train Bleu' (Blue Train) express. He completed the journey from Cannes to London's RAC Club an astonishing four hours ahead of the train, a tale that deeply resonates with Bentley enthusiasts.

The car actually used in the confrontation with the Blue Train was not the coupé, but a 'H.J. Mulliner' four-door sports saloon based on the same Bentley 6½ Litre chassis, distinguished by its stately design. This demonstrates that even the 'Bentley Boys' of Bentley's formative years chose a four-door saloon as their partner for this significant challenge. While this may seem like a lengthy digression, it underscores that the four-door saloon is indeed a core part of Bentley's heritage.

Now, let us return to the present, specifically 2015.

Bentley's current four-door saloon lineup consists of the 'Flying Spur' and the 'Mulsanne.' The Flying Spur, sharing fundamental components with the Continental GT, is an all-wheel-drive saloon offered in two grades: the "Flying Spur V8" powered by a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, and the "Flying Spur W12" equipped with a 6-liter twin-turbo W12 engine.

The 'Mulsanne,' named after the legendary straight at the Circuit de la Sarthe, the venue for the 24 Hours of Le Mans where Bentley achieved such fame, is the marque's latest prestige saloon, first unveiled in 2009.MulsanneWhile its origins trace back over half a century to 1959, the Mulsanne features a sophisticated V8 OHV unit. In addition to the standard model, a high-performance variant, the "

Mulsanne SpeedMulsanne Speed" is also available.

A Power That Inspires Awe

This time, we had the opportunity to test drive two models, the Flying Spur V8 and the Mulsanne, on a captivating route from The St. Regis Osaka, a five-star hotel in the heart of the city, to the serene Arashiyama and Sagano districts of Kyoto.

The Flying Spur V8, now one of Bentley's most popular models, is equipped with the 4-liter V8 twin-turbo engine shared with the Continental GT V8.

This engine, which also incorporates modern technologies like cylinder deactivation for improved environmental performance, produces 507 horsepower and 660 Nm of torque. While numerically less powerful than the higher-tier Flying Spur W12 by 118 hp, it still delivers impressive figures.

Its astonishing specifications—0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 295 km/h—are evident in its formidable power, which can be truly felt if one presses the accelerator too eagerly.

Furthermore, the Mulsanne offers a unique, exquisitely refined experience from its classic Bentley V8 engine. While it glides in near silence when not under acceleration, it emits a sweet, baritone rumble when pushed. In an era often focused solely on efficiency and ecology, this classical and captivating feel is truly unparalleled.

We had anticipated the exceptional performance of these two Bentley saloons. However, the drive revealed a delightful surprise we hadn't expected.

Performance and Handling on Par with Supercars

The surprise was discovering that these cars also excel in the sheer joy of driving.

The chosen route, the Arashiyama-Takao Parkway, is a winding road with narrow lanes and tight curves. Despite this, even the relatively more compact Flying Spur V8 measures 5,315mm in length, while the Mulsanne reaches an imposing 5,575mm. These are truly grand prestige saloons.

One might assume such a road would be ill-suited for these Bentleys. However, both cars demonstrated exceptional handling, creating the illusion that they were one, or even two, sizes smaller.

The Flying Spur V8 offers a powerful drive, harnessing its immense power through the traction of its all-wheel-drive system. The Mulsanne, surprisingly, exhibits excellent chassis balance, cornering with a lightness that belies its size and weight.

In the 'super luxury' segment, where Bentley competes, rivals include Rolls-Royce's "Ghost" and "Phantom", as well as the recently debuted "Mercedes-Maybach". Bentley distinguishes itself by offering a robust sportiness rooted in tradition.

Bentley stands as a miraculous existence in the modern automotive world, offering an ultra-luxury sports saloon that allows drivers to engage in a dialogue with the car.

Blissful Moments in the Rear Seat

In recent years, there has been a growing global demand for Bentley's pure sports saloons to also cater to chauffeur-driven experiences. Perhaps in response to this trend, our drive today included the opportunity to be chauffeured, allowing us to fully appreciate the Bentley from the rear compartment.

The world of Bentley, a handmade ultra-luxury vehicle, can be experienced even more profoundly when one entrusts the steering to a chauffeur and settles into the rear compartment. Surrounded by a serene quietude, and engaging with the exquisite leather and natural wood interiors crafted by skilled artisans, one truly touches upon another facet of Bentley's character.

The Flying Spur V8, with its generous 3,065mm wheelbase, offers ample legroom for passengers to cross their legs comfortably. The cabin's climate control, infotainment system, and seat adjustments can all be operated via a detachable touchscreen remote, akin to a tablet. This demonstrates Bentley's commitment to enhancing the quality of time spent in the rear seats.

As Bentley's flagship model and one of the world's foremost luxury saloons, the Mulsanne exudes an even higher level of refinement than the Flying Spur. While it offers slightly less absolute space than the Flying Spur, this is in keeping with the tradition of British luxury sports saloons dating back to before the war. The compartment's design emphasizes a sense of enclosure, evoking a classic ambiance.

The quality and finish of the natural materials used surpass even those found in the Flying Spur, which we had already considered the pinnacle. They are employed generously, creating a restrained yet exquisite opulence.

For this drive, we were fortunate enough to have a chauffeur handle the city driving and highway stretches between Osaka and Kyoto, allowing me to focus solely on the winding roads. This is likely the everyday routine for owners who are blessed with the opportunity to own these Bentley saloons and also have the option of chauffeur-driven experiences. As a mere temporary custodian, I found it difficult to suppress a sense of envy.

To experience the world's finest sports saloons, which possess supercar-level performance and a unique character, through chauffeur-driven luxury.

This is the ultimate indulgence, a heavenly experience in the automotive world.

Bentley Flying Spur V8
Body Dimensions: Length 5,315 x Width 1,985 x Height 1,490 mm
Wheelbase: 3,065 mm
Weight: 2,560 kg
Engine: 3,992 cc V8 Twin-Turbo
Bore x Stroke: 84.0 x 90.2 mm
Compression Ratio: 9.0 : 1
Max. Output: 460 kW (625ps) / 6,000 rpm
Max. Torque: 800 Nm (81.6kgm) / 2,000 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain: 4WD
Tire Size (Front/Rear): 275/45ZR19
Min. Turning Radius: 6.05 m
Top Speed: 322 km/h
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 4.6 seconds
Fuel Economy (EU Cycle): 14.7 ℓ/100km (6.8 km/ℓ)
CO2 Emissions: 343 g/km
Trunk Capacity (VDA): 475 ℓ
Fuel Tank Capacity: 90 ℓ
Price: ¥19,450,000

Bentley Mulsanne
Body Dimensions: Length 5,575 x Width 1,925 x Height 1,530 mm
Wheelbase: 3,270 mm
Weight: 2,710 kg
Engine: 6,747 cc V8 Twin-Turbo
Bore x Stroke: 104.0 x 99.0 mm
Compression Ratio: 7.8 : 1
Max. Output: 377 kW (512ps) / 4,200 rpm
Max. Torque: 1,020 Nm / 1,750 – 3,250 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain: FR
Tire Size (Front/Rear): 265/45ZR20
Min. Turning Radius: 6.30 m
Top Speed: 296 km/h
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 5.3 seconds
Fuel Economy (EU Cycle): 14.6 ℓ/100km (6.8 km/ℓ)
CO2 Emissions: 342 g/km
Trunk Capacity (VDA): 443 ℓ
Fuel Tank Capacity: 96 ℓ
Price: ¥35,000,000