The plug-in hybrid ushered in the transition to an all-electric future for Bentley's flagship sedan. Discover whether an electric range suitable for commuting enhances Bentley's sense of bespoke luxury and quality.
What we liked
Seamless integration of hybrid systems
The driving experience is extraordinary
The quality and luxury of the cabins is perfect
shortcoming
The pure electric range may be much farther
Try to figure out how to regulate your own
We are about to end internal combustion – this is the first step
introduce
From any perspective, 2021 is an important year for Bentley. This iconic British manufacturer celebrates its 70th anniversary at its historic Crewe site. It's a manufacturing plant steeped in tradition, but also with one eye (and maybe even one and a half) firmly focused on the future.
2021 is the third year a manufacturer has achieved carbon neutrality certification – thanks in large part to the 30,000 solar panels around the plant. Yes, by gritting their teeth, Bentley's representatives did tell us that the sun did shine in the heart of England.
The manufacturer has also installed 130 charging outlets for employees who choose to drive electric vehicles to work – Bentley is certainly part of the broader Volkswagen Group, so there are some options to choose from. Despite the challenges of widespread spread posed by the pandemic, Bentley also enrolled more than 100 apprentices in 2021, most of whom are focused on digital technology.
We've previously reported here on the direction Bentley plans to take – 2025 will see the brand's first electric car, which will be end-to-end carbon neutral – and in 2026, the brand will shift to plug-in-only hybrid or electric vehicles. By 2030, that's a huge step forward from Bentley's current location, the world's largest producer of 12-cylinder engines, to electric vehicles. For now, though, Bentley's technology focus is primarily on plug-in hybrids, which is exactly what we're testing in Southern California.
While it's easy to assume that Bentley owners have an overwhelming desire for the brand's W12 engine, there's always a need for technology, the latest and greatest technology, and overall advancements on the more unique market side. By taking the plug-in hybrid step before the all-electric transition, Bentley offers its customers a reliable alternative.
Perhaps most critically, the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid looks and feels like a Bentley. During a visit to Crewe in 2020, you experienced first-hand the quality of bentley cars' work and attention to detail, which is an integral part of the appeal.
It's no surprise that the design changes are minimal, as Bentley doesn't feel the need to yell at the Flying Spur, which now uses a hybrid drivetrain. The appearance variation extends to the small badge on the lower edge of the front skid plate and charging port.
This section is also rare air. A large luxury sedan like bentley is both the driver's car and the passenger's car. With a focus on rear-seat comfort and comfort as well as performance and power, few vehicles need to tick so many boxes. Again, regardless of perception, most Bentley owners drive their own cars. Outside of markets like China, Bentley engineers realized that some level of driver engagement and connection had to be injected into any Bentley.
inside
Like the exterior, flying Spur's deluxe cabins have barely changed. Still unabashedly handmade and amazingly executed, the only change is the integration of hybrid technology into the car. They are the smallest in terms of the real estate they occupy.
Bentley cabins have a special sense of occasion – which is one of the reasons the brand's fans are so loyal. In fact, the cabin is probably where you can get the most feel for the handmade nature of the Bentley experience.
Interestingly, whether you're sitting in the front or back row, the experience resonates. The cabin has a subtle insulation and calmness that ensures that any driving is enjoyable. The quality of the ride has a lot to do with it, but the seat trim, carpets, and general execution of the touch surfaces and controls are of the highest order.
The trunk has slightly less room than the non-hybrid model, but if you decide to hit the road, the 351L is still more than enough for a four-person weekend trip. The average buyer at Bentley owns more than one property overseas, and whether you're a driver or a passenger, you can imagine a Flying Spur as a vehicle driving down a highway into the countryside.
The release sample we tested has a variety of optional trims and finishes, and it's really good. Your ability to personalize bentleys is limited only by your imagination, and the cabin is where you can make the most of your impact. For me? I would go to the factory and ask the Bentley design team for their advice. I think this will make the almost unlimited options much easier.
Infotainment and connectivity
Bentley has successfully integrated new hybrid-specific technologies into an already premium infotainment experience. In the navigation system display, a green indicator shows how far the EV mileage will take you, looking like a ring on the map screen.
The Home screen also contains all the extra mixing information, such as where to charge, how much you're using, and what mode you're in. Other integrated technologies can see Flying Spur sync with apps on your phone.
With the app, you can monitor charging, start charging, adjust the cabin, remotely heat or cool the cabin, and view statistics and data such as your driving time and date, distance traveled, average speed, and likes. Of course, there is also a feature that can help you find the nearest charging point.
In terms of the way you interact with the system, it's as simple as any other Bentley we've tested. The phone connectivity is very good and the car navigation system is accurate and easy to use. High-end brands don't always get the right infotainment, but Bentley does.
Security & Technology
It is not uncommon for vehicles of this class not to be tested by ANCAP, and the Flying Spur has not yet undergone crash testing by Australian institutions.
It is equipped with a driver with a front passenger deactivation function and a front passenger airbag. Front and rear side airbags as well as curtain airbags are also standard. Flying Spur is also equipped with Bentley's suite of advanced safety technologies, including head-up displays, night vision, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition.
Worth
Specific Australian pricing has not been announced and will be detailed as it approaches release. The concept of value for money has been an interesting argument for exclusive vehicles like bentley flying spurs. Arguably, if you're on a budget, you probably won't be hanging out to the Bentley showroom.
So far, Bentley hasn't approved EV range through independent testing, but we did see 39 kilometers without trying to drive efficiently, leaving Beverly Hills and heading straight for the highways of Los Angeles. So even in the real world, Bentley's hope of 40 kilometers or so looks very realistic.
Similarly, fuel consumption data has not been tested. Cruising at 120 km/h on the highway, we see regular single-digit returns, and the V6 is undoubtedly more efficient than the V8 or V12. However, if your commute time in Australia is average, you won't be using fuel from Monday to Friday anyway.
drive
The engine – even considering the absence of a V12 engine – is a good choice for both drivers and passengers. When paired with an electric motor, the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 produces 400kW and 750Nm of power. 0-100km/h takes only 4.3 seconds to reach a top speed of 285km/h. The engine alone can produce 306kW and 550Nm of power – they are healthy outputs in their own right.
According to Bentley engineers, this 14.1kWh dual-string battery gets about 14kW of usable power and can provide stable power for longer periods of time. The battery powers a permanent magnet synchronous motor that provides 128 km/h of power to the Flying Spur without a gasoline engine.
Bentley is not yet certified for all-electric range, but expects a range of 40 km, which means you get a combined range of more than 730 km and claimed fuel usage data. With a fast charger, you can fully charge your battery in about 2.5 hours.
The high-voltage battery and V6 TFSI engine come from the same family as the Bentayga Hybrid, and while it's no secret that the Panamera platform lurks beneath bentley, we can't tell the game. It's very much like a Bentley. When you're in EV mode, the "E-sound" makes false engine noise, and the drivetrain takes advantage of the group's excellent eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Whatever your speed, it's one of the smoothest, most seamless DCTs I've ever tested.
The engine benefits from a wealth of high-tech engineering, equipped with an Otto particulate filter (Bentley's term for gasoline particulate filters of choice), a plasma-lined cylinder and innovative thermal management to keep the engine compartment temperature as low as possible. When building high-end cars like the Flying Spur, the superior performance of the engine and drivetrain is in many ways a shining example of collective thinking. Those who are worried about Bentley joining the Volkswagen group don't have to worry.
You can choose from three modes – EV Drive, Hybrid, and Hold. When you choose to deploy later in the drive, the hold mode keeps the charge there. EVs force Flying Spurs to use its batteries, and Hybrid does its thing without you really feeling anything. The main benefit of a hybrid system is that it is improved when it performs well. In Flying Spur, engineers start with an extremely sophisticated vehicle.
Now at low speeds, they have eliminated one of the main reasons for the noise, and that is the ordinary engine. As a result, cabin noise is reduced by 50% in EV mode, making the Flying Spur virtually silent around town. If you can value the premium, it could actually be cabin insulation and quiet.
Stepping off the accelerator pedal, the Flying Spur fires forward with some intent — albeit remaining calm and refined. I realized that the two concepts didn't really go hand in hand, but the Big Bentley did. Its 750Nm is enough to make things work, and the feeling of galloping is enough to make you smile. It's also beautiful to ride, and Los Angeles' garbage-to-dirt-highway network can't match Bentley's powerful suspension system. As a driver or passenger, the ride quality is outstanding.
conclusion
There is no doubt that Bentley is a special brand with a long history, able to offer the kind of quality handcrafted quality that buyers have come to expect. Bentley is a customer retention brand that is almost as strong as attracting new customers. Few car experiences are like driving a Bentley. Flying Spur Hybrid seamlessly integrates plug-in hybrid technology into a platform that has already performed flawlessly.
As a step in the transition to all-electric propulsion, the Flying Spur Hybrid is a reminder of why history can never be overlooked because of how it makes you feel while driving. Electric cars need to be very special to provide the same feeling as the old world. Few people do better than Bentley.
Attention to detail, fit, finish, insulation and driver engagement is reflected in a luxury sedan that is as beautiful as possible. If you crave this driving experience, you'd better get in the car quickly. You won't be able to access it in a whole new way for a long time.
While the hybrid drivetrain didn't completely change one of the other great vehicles, it didn't take anything away. If you like the idea of driving 40 kilometers "for free" every time you leave your garage, the Flying Spur Hybrid is a competitive option.