To say the least, getting behind the wheel of the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid was an adventure. I’ve driven lots of luxury cars that provide a smooth and pleasant ride, but the Flying Spur Hybrid surprised me with its impeccable attention to detail and intrinsic sense of history.
During my short stint as a Bentley chauffeur, I had a variety of first impressions. I had a first impression of the outside, then of the interior’s excellent workmanship, and finally of actually driving it. But there was a moment in Los Angeles gridlock when I had the distinct impression that I was driving a piece of history. It wasn’t the same as driving a historic automobile; it was more like driving something that was part of a larger whole. All of these connections I hadn’t known I had with Bentley started pouring in, absolutely hitting me by surprise. And the reason for this was the exquisite attention to detail on show throughout the cabin, which combined historic Bentley components with more contemporary design aspects.
Because I only had the vehicle for a week, I made sure to travel between San Diego and Los Angeles multiple times to gain a respectable number of miles behind the wheel. From bumper-to-bumper traffic to interstate cruising, the Flying Spur Hybrid seamlessly transitioned between the 2.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine and the 134 horsepower electric motor with its 18kWh battery. With a button on the centre console, you can easily choose between driving modes. Furthermore, the car’s Predictive E-Mode understands just when to make the smooth changeover by analysing route mileage, battery levels, speed restrictions, number of intersections, and predicted levels of traffic congestion.
Given the car’s enormous frame (5,523lb), 537hp from its V6 and hybrid system is rather astounding. With 553 lb ft of torque and a peak speed of 177 mph, the Flying Spur Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and can reach 100 mph in 9.5 seconds. Though it only has a 25-mile battery range, it’s ideal for the annoying stop-and-go traffic that major cities are renowned for.
The model I received was the limited Odyssean Edition, which is a celebration of sustainability and contains distinctive style and materials inspired by the brand’s vision for the future. Before you even step in the vehicle, you’re greeted with unexpected elements like the painted Pale Brodgar accents on the brightware, lower bodywork, and the 21″ ten twin-spoke wheels. It also has Odyssean Edition emblems on the ‘D’ pillar and the treadplates when you open the doors.
The hybrid’s sculptured exterior is remarkable, and according to Bentley, was inspired by fuselage surfacing in aviation, with its all-aluminum exterior panels with sharp undercut lines and flowing surfaces. It has a retractable Flying B mascot on the hood (which lights up at night), an imposing radiator matrix reminiscent of the 1957 Bentley S1 Continental Flying Spur, LED matrix headlights that actually cut a hole in the beam to avoid blinding oncoming drivers, and a tapered rear designed to feature the Bentley script.
Once inside, you’re greeted with stunning wood veneer panelling and three-dimensional diamond-quilted leather inlays in the doors and rear quarter panels. Bentley said that they intended to push the edge by taking their quilting heritage to the next level. Their debut of 3D leather quilting is a groundbreaking method that has never been seen before.
