After the reveal of the new Continental, Bentley has started work on the new generation Flying Spur. The current generation four-door Bentley was launched in 2005 and received its last update in 2013. The British Luxo-barge was getting long in the tooth, but finally, a new generation is on its way. Here we have the first spy shots of the Flying Spur, spotted testing near the carmaker's headquarters in Crewe, UK.
The Bentley will adopt the new MSB-F platform which also underpins the new-gen Porsche Panamera in the Volkswagen group. The design would be evolutionary, akin to the one seen on the Continental GT. Although the headlights are faux stickers on the test mule, we are sure the new Flying Spur will have the same quad-headlamp set-up as the new Continental. The grille and the long bonnet will also be akin to the new GT. Being a proper saloon, the Flying Spur will have the straight silhouette with elegant lines running across the side of the car.
At the rear, the tail lights do showcase the new lighting signature adopted by the Crewe-based carmaker. Though the overall design of the tail lights will remain square-ish like the current generation, it will lend a fresh appeal to the posterior. The integrated elliptical exhaust tips can also be clearly seen.Â
There is no glimpse of the cabin available as yet. But given that the car belongs to the Volkswagen Group, we expect the new Flying Spur to get all the features and equipment from the Panamera, the A8 and the Continental. The British Luxo-barge will continue to have the properly majestic cabin in order to rival its direct competitor, the Phantom VIII.
Under the long hood will be a host of engine options from the Volkswagen Groups arsenal of powertrains. But the most likely candidate is the twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 straight from the Bentley Bentayga. The same engine is speculated to be tested here in the prototype. Other engine options that will follow later includes a 4.0-litre V8 from the Panamera and the frugal 2.9-litre V6 in the entry level Flying Spur. A diesel powertrain from the Bentayga is also on the cards along with a hybrid powertrain from the Panamera E.
The new-gen Flying Spur is expected to be revealed later next year as a 2019 model.
