2020 Bentley Flying Spur

Overview

If you're among the few who consider a Porsche Panamera or a Mercedes-Benz S-class too dime-a-dozen, the 2020 Bentley Flying Spur should be at the top of your list. Everything here—from the twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine to the richly appointed cabin—is uncompromised in its quality and craftsmanship, which is how Bentley can justify the car's starting price. While it's true that this luxury limousine is merely the entry point to the world of Bentley—the larger and vastly more expensive Mulsanne is the next step up—the experience it provides is wholly beau monde.

What's New for 2020?

Bentley's entry-level sedan—if you can even call it that—is new for 2020 and channels the brand's recently revamped Continental GT with updated styling, enhanced luxuries, and modern technology.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

For now, all Flying Spurs come with an eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, and Bentley's powerful twin-turbocharged W-12 engine that makes 626 horsepower. A 542-hp V-8 engine will join the lineup later on. With the 12-cylinder under the hood, Bentley claims the Flying Spur will leap to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, a figure we expect will prove conservative. Once we get the chance to test one ourselves, we'll update this story with results. We were able to take the new model for a brief drive near Monaco, where we found the Flying Spur to be a far more athletic driver than we anticipated. Credit for that agility must go to the sedan's adaptive suspension and rear-wheel-steering system.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Flying Spur's fuel-economy estimates from the EPA look as though they're for a pickup truck rather than a sedan, earning 12 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined. The forthcoming V-8-powered variant may offer slightly better ratings, but we're not expecting a miracle. The Flying Spur's chief rival—the Rolls-Royce Ghost—doesn't fare any better here, but the Mercedes-Maybach S560 managed to earn a 25-mpg highway estimate, making it a better choice for those looking to conserve fuel.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Sumptuous leather, genuine wood trim, and real metal accents line the Flying Spur's interior. In the front or back, there's plenty of space for adults to stretch out and enjoy the luxurious environs. Bentley's interior designers managed to preserve the brand's prim and proper styling while incorporating modern tech features. A remote touchscreen controller mounted to the rear of the center console allows rear-seat riders to adjust certain things without asking the driver for assistance. For instance, you can use it to open and close the window shades, adjust the cabin climate, and activate the rear-seat massagers. A generously sized trunk offers plenty of space for luggage, cases of champagne, or a day's worth of impulse shopping on Rodeo Drive.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

A large 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is nicely situated between large swaths of wood trim on the Flying Spur's dashboard. For a price, Bentley will swap the static infotainment screen with a rotating display that will—as you may have guessed—rotate the screen into the dashboard and bring up a wood panel featuring three analog dials (an outside-temperature gauge, a clock, and a compass). Passengers can connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot, and those with compatible smartphones will enjoy the Spur's Apple CarPlay integration. Bentley provides a 10-speaker stereo system standard but will install one of two premium audio systems for more coin. Buyers may upgrade to either the 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup or the 19-speaker Naim system with illuminated speaker grilles.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have crash-tested the Flying Spur. Bentley offers several driver-assistance features; unfortunately, many of them cost extra. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection
• Available automated emergency braking
• Available adaptive cruise control and night vision

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Bentley offers a three-year warranty with the purchase of a new model, but unlike plans from more mainstream luxury brands, there's no mileage limit. Rolls-Royce offers a similar service but extends to its customers four years of coverage. Furthermore, Rolls-Royce offers four years of complimentary scheduled maintenance while Bentley covers only one.

• Limited warranty covers three years or unlimited miles
• Powertrain warranty covers three years or unlimited miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles

More Features and Specs