Press Releases
04 March 2013
New Flying Spur Headlines Bentley's Geneva Presence
- World premiere of all new Flying Spur
- European debut of world’s fastest four-seat convertible, GT Speed Convertible
- Enhanced specification luxury flagship 2014 model year Mulsanne unveiled
- Continental GT V8 and W12 complete display
(Crewe/Geneva) The new Bentley Flying Spur, the world’s most refined performance sedan, makes its global debut at the Salon International de l’Auto in Geneva. Bentley’s showcase of luxury and performance continues with the European debut of the GT Speed Convertible, an enhanced specification for the flagship Mulsanne, and the Continental GT V8 and GT W12 on display.
Commenting on Bentley’s global debut at Geneva, Dr.Wolfgang Schreiber, Chairman and Chief Executive, says:
“The new Bentley Flying Spur marks a big step forward. We have re-designed and re-engineered almost every part of the car. In simple words, we have created the best luxury sedan in the world – a perfect combination of exquisite refinement, effortless performance, elegant styling and state of the art technology.
“The Flying Spur meets the desires of our customers perfectly and is a car only Bentley could make – timeless design inside and out, elegant lines, ultimate material quality, attention to detail, class leading refinement and, of course, effortless performance.”
Establishing a new luxury sedan benchmark
With its unrivalled blend of effortless driveability, exquisite luxury and craftsmanship, sculpted design and state-of-the-art technology, the new Flying Spur takes the worldwide success of its iconic predecessor further.
Bentley’s styling team has developed an athletic design for the new Flying Spur that combines traditional Bentley styling cues with a sporting stance and contemporary details. Sharp feature lines complement muscular rear haunches, while LED day-time running lights, dipped headlights and taillights characterise the front and rear profiles. The interior designers have created a luxurious, spacious cabin that dresses advanced acoustic and electronic technologies in exquisite hand-crafted leather hides and wood veneers.
Driver and passengers alike interface with the car and the outside world through touch-screen infotainment, mobile connectivity including Wi-Fi, a Rear Seat Entertainment suite and a new bespoke hand-held Touch Screen Remote which allows rear-cabin occupants to control an extensive range of features from the comfort of their seat. An eight-channel, eight-speaker audio system with Balanced Mode Radiators provide high quality sound clarity, with the 1100W Naim® for Bentley premium system available as an option.
Powering the new Flying Spur is Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre, twin turbo W12 engine, coupled to a ZF eight-speed transmission. Developing 625 PS (616 bhp) and 800 Nm of torque, the new Flying Spur features more power than any other Bentley four-door in history. A 14 per cent improvement in the power-to-weight ratio over the outgoing model delivers a breath-taking 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top-speed of 200 mph (322 km/h). In the modern Bentley tradition, power is delivered to the road via all-wheel drive with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for a sure-footed, engaging drive in all road and weather conditions.
New open-top performance flagship
Also on the Bentley stand and making its European show debut is the new GT Speed Convertible, combining the sensory pleasures of roof-down luxury touring with the shattering performance of a 625 PS (616 bhp) twin-turbocharged 6.0 litre W12, while delivering a 15 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency. The close-ratio eight-speed transmission, uprated and lowered suspension and retuned steering provide exhilarating acceleration and sharp, communicative handling without detriment to the renowned ride comfort of Bentley’s Continental convertible. Permanent all-wheel drive ensures optimum traction and power delivery whatever the road conditions.
Taking its place at the pinnacle of the Bentley Continental range, the new GT Speed Convertible has a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h) and in true Bentley style, no compromises have been made in craftsmanship, luxury or refinement to deliver this unrivalled performance.
Bentley Mulsanne: the pinnacle of British luxury motoring
A range of new luxury features have been added to the Mulsanne and are on display for the first time in Geneva, offering a new suite of entertainment and communication system options.
A new Comfort Specification, including comfort headrests, footrests and duck down filled loose cushions has been introduced to reaffirm Mulsanne’s reputation as a truly bespoke grand tourer.
Additional enhancements include privacy curtains, which promise to broaden the experience for the Mulsanne rear cabin occupants, allowing them to maximise work or rest as they travel.
An Entertainment Specification incorporates the latest in technological developments, with picnic tables designed for an iPad and wireless keyboard, with the cabin of the Mulsanne becoming a Wi-Fi Hotspot.
Other additions include three new paint options, extending the Mulsanne palette, and new bespoke fitted luggage.
Dynamic luxury performance coupe
Complementing the GT Speed Convertible on stand is the Continental GT V8 and the Continental GT W12, widening the appeal of the latest generation of Continental GT and GTC, while retaining the power and performance one associates with the Bentley Continental.
The GT V8, powered by a 4.0 litre, twin turbocharged V8 engine achieves exceptional standards for power-to-emissions in the high luxury sports car sector.
The engine delivers maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS / 373 Kw) at 6000 rev/min and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft) which is available across virtually the entire rev range, providing exhilarating performance and effortless power delivery in the Bentley tradition. This translates into a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds for the GT coupe (0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds) and a top speed of 188 mph (303 km/h).
At the same time, the V8 Continental models achieve outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the luxury performance sector and are capable of travelling over 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank of fuel. The instantly recognisable growl of the new 4.0 litre V8 engine sets it apart from its Bentley siblings.
The W12 GT marked the birth of a new product range for Bentley in 2003 and is still going strong today. Bentley’s acclaimed 6-litre, 12-cylinder, twin-turbocharged powertrain now has a raised power output of 575 PS (567 bhp/423 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb ft) of torque.
The engine is coupled to an all-wheel drive system with a sporty 40:60 rear-torque bias (compared with the 50:50 bias of the original Continental GT), minimising understeer during hard cornering and allowing the experienced driver to control the car’s line and balance via precise throttle control.
ENDS
For further information about this press release please contact:
Wolfgang Glabus – Director of Communications
Wolfgang.Glabus@bentley.co.uk + 44 (0) 1270 535 189
Andrea Baker – Head of Media Relations
Andrea.Baker@bentley.co.uk + 44 (0) 1270 536 430
Martin Broomer – Head of Product Communications
Martin.Broomer@bentley.co.uk + 44 (0) 1270 535 044
Mike Sayer – Product Public Relations Manager
Mike.Sayer@bentley.co.uk +44 (0) 1270 535 133
For further information on Bentley please go to www.bentleymedia.com
Twitter – @BentleyMotorsPR
You Tube – www.youtube.com/bentleymotors
Notes to editors
- The Bentley press conference takes place on the Bentley stand in Hall 1 at 10:15 CET. The press conference will be broadcast live on www.bentleymedia.com
- Bentley Motors employs around 4,000 people in Crewe which is home to all its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury vehicle manufacturers such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley exports over £1bn worth of goods in 2012. The company is the third largest R&D investor in the UK's automotive sector and the 18th largest nationally.
- In 2012 Bentley’s global sales were up 22% with 8510 cars delivered to customers worldwide. The Americas remain Bentley’s largest sales region with 2457 cars (up by 22%) whilst in China sales were up by 23% to 2253 cars. The Middle East significantly increased its sales by 44% with 815 cars delivered and sales were also up 44% in Asia Pacific where 358 cars were delivered. Sales in Japan sales rose by 73% to 190 cars. In Europe sales were up by 12% with 1333 cars delivered and by 7% in the UK with 1104 cars delivered.
