It seems that even the super-rich are looking to pinch pennies at the gas pump. Bentley will announce at this year’s Geneva Motor Show that the 2015 Flying Spur will receive their 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 as a base engine. The change is a departure from the Flying Spur’s traditional 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12, a behemoth of an engine capable of 616 horsepower, 590 lb.-ft. of torque, and an absolutely epic 200 mph.
The market has certainly spoken. Though Bentley is a brand whose cars effortlessly blend sporty character and sumptuous luxury, consumers have realized that a massive 12-cylinder engine (to go along with 12 mpg city, 20 mpg highway) is excessive and unnecessary, to say the least. Bentley has already made the 4.0-liter V8 the Continental GT’s base engine, a move that has been received well from both performance and economical standpoints. How could we complain about the V8’s 500 horsepower, 487 lb.-ft. of torque at 1700 rpm, and glorious, deep burble?
Despite the 2015 Flying Spur’s hefty curb weight of well over 5,000 pounds, Bentley claims that the V8 will still haul the luxury limo to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The engine’s performance potential is astounding, having already impressed most auto journalists with its capability in the Audi S8. Top speed will be a “tame” 183 mph, but it’s the V8’s efficiency that is most impressive. With cylinder deactivation and thermal mapping technology, the Flying Spur V8 will have a highway driving range of around 520 miles. Official fuel economy figures are unknown, but it should come in close to the Continental GT V8’s 14 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
As is the case with smaller-displacement Bentleys, the 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8 will receive a number of exterior and interior upgrades to set it apart from its W12 sibling. Red “B in wings” emblems will grace the trunklid and hood along with special chrome exhaust tips and 19-inch alloy wheels. In addition, seven new exterior colors and four new interior colors will be available on the V8 model. The interior, too, will be finished in eucalyptus black veneer wood and feature a three-person rear seat for maximum practicality.
And of course, the Flying Spur will be available in the exclusive Mulliner specification, featuring drilled metal pedals, diamond-quilted leather, and other beautiful interior upgrades.
Expect the 2015 Bentley Flying Spur to go on sale by this summer, though pricing has yet to be announced. Stay tuned on TFLcar.com for more details from the upcoming Geneva Auto Show.
Please enjoy this TFLcar.com video review of the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur.
Frank caught automotive fever early in life. Hailing from a long line of car fanatics, he was able to recite the year and model of every car that passed him by age five. His passion and love for the automobile have only grown since then. When not thinking about cars, he is reading, writing, learning, or dreaming about them. His area of expertise is in the realm of German and Italian cars, of which Porsche is a favorite. Frank currently resides in the heart of NASCAR country in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his family. He enjoys driving exotic cars in the beautiful Carolina weather.
