Once I first walked as much as the 2024 Bentley Flying Spur Version 8 I’d be driving round Southern California in a parking storage beneath LAX, I used to be a bit disillusioned. Normally, after I head out to LA, I do my greatest to get enjoyable, sporty automobiles for my keep to reap the benefits of the great roads we don’t get again in New York Metropolis, but it surely wasn’t to be this time. No, I used to be caught with a large Blue Crystal limousine that weighed greater than my condominium constructing and seemingly couldn’t get round a nook with out leaning a lot that the door mirrors scrape the pavement. I figured it was advantageous as a result of I’d be chauffeuring round my accomplice and my in-laws (they’re probably not my in-laws, however saying “my girlfriend’s dad and mom” appears very unserious) as we visited her sister’s household. It’s an outdated man spec, as my girlfriend stated.
Properly, because it seems, I couldn’t be extra mistaken. Positive, the Flying Spur lived as much as the hype of being a luxurious limousine for whoever was fortunate sufficient to sit down within the rear seats. Nonetheless, it additionally simply so occurs to be completely sensible to drive within the canyons round Los Angeles. There’s an actual argument to be made that this is likely one of the greatest automobiles on the planet proper now, and regardless of commanding an eye-watering $286,665 price ticket, it might simply be value each final penny. Typically cash can purchase happiness, and that happiness is a 2024 Bentley Flying Spur.
Full Disclosure: Bentley lent me this 2024 Flying Spur with a full tank of fuel to do with as I happy for per week in Southern California.
Large luxurious automobiles usually are not normally recognized for his or her efficiency talents, so that’s the place the Flying Spur units itself aside. On the heart of all of it is an excellent twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that places out 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, and all of that energy is routed via a Porsche-derived eight-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox. That’s sufficient to take this over-5,400-pound beast from 0 to 60 mph in below 4 seconds, and should you hold your foot in it you’ll be simply a few ticks beneath 200 mph. That’s quick for any automotive, but it surely’s much more spectacular should you do it with 4 occupants all getting massages. Not solely does it sound fabulous, like some kind of WWII fighter airplane, it goes like one, too. If that doesn’t really feel like sufficient, the brand new 2025 mannequin yr Flying Spur has the identical 771-horsepower V8 plug-in-hybrid system as the Continental GT Pace I drove earlier this yr. I’m certain that motor on this utility might be equally as mind-numbing.
Nonetheless, energy and velocity usually are not the Flying Spur’s actual celebration trick in relation to efficiency. What brings this automotive into a distinct league is the way it goes round a nook. A automotive this huge and this heavy has no enterprise hustling up and down a mountain highway within the Angeles Nationwide Forest like this, however right here we’re. Its steering is moderately mild, which is kind of to be anticipated, however the electrical field is extraordinarily communicative. You possibly can really feel nearly every thing on the highway via your two-tone, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and what’s to not love about that? You get some physique roll in high-G turns, but it surely’s hardly something outrageous. I kind of appreciated it. It will really feel mistaken if a limo like this didn’t roll not less than barely.
Regardless of its sporty disposition, should you swap the excellent-feeling drive mode dial from Sport to Consolation or “Bentley” mode, every thing turns into much more relaxed, the suspension softens, and you’ll rapidly make your approach down the freeway, listening to nothing however no matter you’ve received on the radio. That is all due to Bentley’s very neat 48-volt lively suspension system. What a machine.
On the skin, this factor is typical Bentley. It’s received an enormous, imposing chrome grille up entrance, flanked by these traditional quad-circle headlights Bentley has turn out to be so recognized for (I’m nonetheless aggravated they have been taken away on the new Conti GT). Physique traces alongside the facet of the Flying Spur actually extenuate its already huge 209.3-inch size, and all of it curves round again with some signature B-shaped taillights and quad exhaust ideas, letting everybody know you’ve received a V8 Bentley. It’s not precisely a wildly new look, however why would you repair what isn’t damaged?
Step inside and the Flying Spur Version 8 will get much more severe. In the case of luxurious, match and end, this automotive is mainly second to none. Positive, you’ll be able to argue stuff like Rolls-Royces and Maybachs beat it in some methods, however I don’t care. Every thing inside this automotive is simply good. I’ve pushed a hell of a number of automobiles, and there’s an actual argument to be made that the Flying Spur has the most effective inside available on the market regardless of which seat you’re in. Apart from the very fact it’s very well-built, the design and structure are implausible. There’s simply the correct amount of buttons, switches and knobs that complement the elective rotating “forbidden Toblerone” heart show. There’s a display for if you want it, however the second you don’t you’ll be able to simply press a button and three gauges seem as an alternative, or only a clean trim panel. You possibly can nonetheless management the automotive’s core capabilities via the gauge cluster, too. It’s the right mix of tech and old-school luxurious. After all, it’s all deeply customizable, so you’ll be able to match your Flying Spur with any kind of lovely or terrible inside spec you’d like.
Within the again, the Flying Spur I drove was fitted with a three-across bench seat; the center seat drops down into a middle console with some cup holders and storage. In entrance of that console is a small LCD display that controls nearly every thing within the automotive from lighting and navigation to the radio, window shades and, after all, the therapeutic massage seats. That’s proper people, all 4 corners of the automotive get therapeutic massage seats.
I imply, should you’re the kind of one that can afford to be pushed in a Flying Spur, you’re going to desire a therapeutic massage whereas it’s taking place. It’s simply purely charity that the entrance seats additionally get it, and your driver will thanks. For sure, all 4 seats are stupendously snug and spacious. Within the rear, I used to be capable of just about absolutely recline my 6-foot-1 body behind my driving place, all whereas my noggin was resting on the pillowy microfiber headrest.
You would critically dwell on this automotive, man, and you’ll take your stuff with you too. I used to be capable of match 4 carry-on suitcases, backpacks and different odds and ends into the trunk of the Flying Spur with little or no situation. It makes superb use of the 14.8 cubic toes of trunk area it has.
The Version 8 kind of marks the tip of the road for Bentley and its non-hybrid 4.0-liter V8. It’s a bit foolish as a result of V8 is constant on in a extra highly effective plug-in guise, however however, right here it’s. It’s a North American–unique bundle that teams a bunch of widespread choices just like the rotating show, 22-inch wheels, consolation seats and a few particular stitching all to rejoice this motor. It begins at $224,800 together with vacation spot. In case your Version 8 isn’t feeling particular sufficient simply but, you’ll be able to add issues just like the $3,645 panoramic roof, $8,365 enhanced suspension system with four-wheel steering (which it’s best to actually do), $8,140 two-tone piano black veneer, $6,800 extra-special wheels, the nebulously-named $9,260 Touring Specification and a handful different multi-thousand-dollar choices to get this automotive’s $286,665 as-tested value. This may shock you to listen to, however I believe this Flying Spur is definitely value it.
The Bentley Flying Spur actually isn’t a automotive for people such as you or me. I imply, it prices over 4 occasions my yearly wage, however I don’t care within the slightest. Few automobiles might be this enjoyable to drive whereas additionally being an old-man-put-you-to-sleep-on-the-highway limousine. It’s actually a automotive for the sort, conscientious oligarch — somebody who needs final luxurious, however feels their driver must also have a superb time each every now and then. That’s a kind of selflessness even I might get behind. It’s additionally an exquisite goodbye to the 4.0-liter V8, could it thunder on eternally in our hearts.
