Flying Spur Speed Edition 12

The engine in the Flying Spur Speed Edition 12 is a Bentley legend in itself. It was first seen in the original Continental GT, launched in 2003. Since then, it has become an important part of the brand’s DNA, holding great significance for anyone who has ever driven or admired a modern Bentley.

The company’s founder, W.O. Bentley, had always believed that the way to build more powerful, faster cars was to build bigger, better-designed engines. It was this philosophy that drove the introduction of more W12-powered modern Bentleys, among them the Flying Spur. In fact, for the last two decades, the W12 engine has been used constantly in Bentley’s most driver-focused models. Without it, cars like the Flying Spur Speed would never have been able to set such groundbreaking performance benchmarks.

Bentley remains the sole producer of W12-powered production cars – and every single engine, for every single car, is assembled by hand at the Bentley factory in Crewe, England.

The Flying Spur Speed Edition 12 is one of the fastest and most powerful four-door sedans on the planet – making it a fitting tribute to its incredible engine. Its top speed of 207 mph could only be achieved with an engine that can deliver 626 bhp and 900 Nm of torque, propelling the car from zero to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. With all this power comes responsibility, however – in the form of variable displacement. This feature allows six of the twelve cylinders to shut off automatically when driving at low speeds, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.

CUTTING-EDGE DRIVING TECHNOLOGY
Despite the legendary status of the engine, there is even more to this car’s performance. As well as adaptive all-wheel drive, it features all-wheel steering, for a tighter turning circle at low speeds and smoother, more confident overtaking on the open road. Bentley Dynamic Ride – Bentley’s groundbreaking anti-roll technology – keeps the body stable at all times, allowing for greater control through corners, without compromising on comfort when cruising. The exhaust system, meanwhile, features Adaptive Valve Control, for a refined murmur when driving in Comfort mode and a more thrilling roar in Sport mode. Like every W12-powered Bentley, this is a car that puts incredible power at your disposal. How and when you use it is up to you.

The Flying Spur Speed Edition 12 builds on the sleek design of the Flying Spur Speed, with a contemporary exterior design that highlights the importance of the Bentley W12 engine.

It begins with Edition 12 Welcome Lamps, positioned in the underside of the front doors to illuminate the ground as you enter or exit the car in the dark. Moving around the car, you will see Edition 12 badges on the ‘D’ pillars, while silver brake callipers can be seen through the spokes of the imposing 22” Speed wheels. At the centre of each wheel is a self-levelling wheel badge, weighted to ensure that the Bentley ‘B’ remains upright and readable as the wheels turn.

The Flying Spur Speed Edition 12 can be commissioned in an enormous range of exterior colours, including Opalite, a new finish exclusive to Speed Edition 12 vehicles. A shimmering grey-green colour, it appears solid until it catches the light, when it reveals subtle coppery undertones.

Beneath the long, sleek bonnet lies further proof of the car’s exclusive nature: a further Edition 12 plaque, fitted to the engine itself and bearing the inscription, ‘1 of 120’.

From the moment you step into the cabin of the Flying Spur Speed Edition 12, you will be surrounded by craftsmanship that celebrates the W12 engine.
The first things you will notice are the illuminated outer treadplates, which add a sense of drama and luxury to the cabin – especially in the dark. Stepping over the Edition 12 inner treadplates you will enter a cabin upholstered in the Speed colour pattern, offering a choice of five colour combinations. Embroidered Precision Diamond quilting, seen on the seats and the insides of the doors, adds a sense of handcrafted luxury. Ombré stitching – where three thread colours blend together seamlessly – adds a flash of visual interest to the seats. To complete the picture, each seat is embroidered with an Edition 12 emblem.

On the fascia and the other hard surfaces, Grand Black veneers provide a rich, dark backdrop for the cabin’s bespoke detailing. The organ stop controls used to open and close the air conditioning vents, for example, have been machined from solid brass and emblazoned with the number 12. In addition to Speed Edition 12 badging, metal overlays on the passenger side of the fascia display the firing sequence of the cylinders in the engine – a fascinating talking point for front seat passengers.