Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid: driver-focused 'S' model joins range

Bentley has revealed details of the driver-focused 'S' version of its four-door Flying Spur saloon, as well as confirming that it'll be offered with either convention V8 or plug-in hybrid V6 power – making it the first Bentley 'S' car to be available with an electrified powertrain.

Exterior changes compared to the standard Flying Spur include black rather than polished-metal trim highlights, as well as gloss-black lower bumper grilles, dark-tinted headlamps and rear lights, black quad tailpipe finishers and S badging. Only the winged Bentley badge and lettering on the bootlid get a bright chrome finish.

The S is also offered with a new 22-inch wheel, with five Y-shaped spokes in gloss black or satin finishes. A second wheel option for the S is a 21-inch tri-spoke wheel design that combines gloss black and bright machined finishes. Red brake calipers feature with either wheel choice.

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Inside, the S is offered with a selection of two-tone finishes and embroidered 'S' emblems, and also gets chronometer-inspired digital dashboard graphics and illuminated 'S' treadplates. The Hybrid 'S' also features sound enhancements in the engine bay, which Bentley says "match the more sporting character of the car for the driver while maintaining low sound levels in the rear cabin".

Both the regular Flying Spur Hybrid (pictured below) and the Flying Spur Hybrid S use a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine and electric motor. Combined power output is 536bhp and 750Nm of torque – 95bhp more than the electrified Bentayga. The result is similar power and torque to the V8 and a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds.

Bentley also claims the Flying Spur Hybrid is capable of up to 26 miles of pure-electric driving, emits just 75 grammes of CO2 per kilometre and is able to cover over 435 miles on a full tank of fuel. Instead of start/stop functions, the Flying Spur Hybrid features three E modes – EV Drive, Hybrid and Hold – which allow you to manage battery usage on the road.

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The default mode when you start is EV Drive. Hybrid mode maximises efficiency, and will switch between power sources during different parts of the journey based on data from the navigation system. Hold mode preserves battery charge for use later.

Additional information like the electric range and battery level is displayed on the central information screen, instrument panel or head-up display. According to Bentley, you can recharge the 14.1kWh battery that powers the electric motor in just two and a half hours, likely from a home wallbox charger. A Bentley-branded wallbox is available as a no-cost option as well. You can also use the My Bentley app to lock and find your car, heat or cool the cabin ahead of a journey, view the current charge level and schedule charging.

Bentley currently produces two electrified models – the plug-in hybrid variant of the Bentayga SUV and this Flying Spur. Its first fully electric model is set to arrive in 2025, followed by the end of production of its internal-combustion-engined models by 2026. The company aims to only produce plug-in hybrids and electric models until 2030, when it'll transition to an electric-only brand.

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Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid Odyssean Edition

When the Flying Spur Hybrid first launched, Bentley unveiled a limited-edition version of the car, called the Odyssean Edition. Inspired by the fully electric EXP 100 GT concept from 2019, it introduced some new sustainable materials to the Bentley line-up and marked the arrival of the plug-in Flying Spur to the market.

Inside, the cabin of the Odyssean Edition has a new type of trim that uses 90% less lacquer than the high-gloss veneers found in Bentley’s other models. In addition to the open-pore Koa veneer, the limited-edition Flying Spur also uses sustainable leather, tweed made from 100% British wool and other new materials.

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On the outside, the Odyssean Edition comes with exclusive 21-inch alloy wheels. Bentley also selected six “recommended” paint colour palettes for the limited-edition model, but customers could still choose any of the usual paint colours if they wanted.

The Odyssean Edition also came with the ‘Touring Specification’ package, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, night vision and a head-up display. There's also a leather headliner, diamond-stitched leather upholstery and a rotating dashboard display.