The new Bentley Flying Spur will be revealed next week, powered by the same Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain that debuted in the new Continental GT Speed.
Pairing a 4.0-litre V8 with a single gearbox-mounted electric motor, it will output 771bhp and 738lb ft to all four wheels. That’s 145bhp more than the top-wrung – and now retired – W12 engine of the outgoing model.
That new power figure matches that of the Continental GT Speed, currently the most powerful and quickest Bentley ever produced, hitting 62mph from standing in 3.2sec and then on to a top speed of 208mph. The set-up will also be introduced to the next Bentayga SUV.
In the Flying Spur, the hybrid powertrain also makes it the most efficient Bentley in its 105 year history, the brand claims. It has not yet revealed any MPG figures – the previous 6.0-litre W12-powered car achieved 22.6mpg – but it did confirm an electric-only range of 45 miles, five miles down on its sibling.
Although technically just an update of the current third-generation car, it is expected to be refreshed significantly like its sibling to offer a wider breadth of dynamic capabilities.
In the Conti, Bentley claimed 68% of the parts were new, enough to mean it had to be homologated as a new car. A key change was the substantial upgrading of the chassis, which introduced an uprated anti-roll system, new suspension components and a new-generation stability control system. Expect similar tweaks to its sibling.
The new Flying Spur will also get a slightly reworked design; preview images show refreshed front air intakes and grille. Covers will be pulled off on 10 September at 12.30pm
