Bentley Flying Spur Azure 4.0 V8 Review

Bentley has just revealed the new fourth-generation Flying Spur.

This car you see here… isn't it.

Indeed, this is a relatively old model - this third generation model was first launched in 2019.

This Flying Spur V8 is the last non-electrically-assisted powertrain that you can find in a Bentley

So what exactly are we looking at here? Well, we know that electrification is coming for all our cars. Even on this third-generation Flying Spur, a 2.9-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain was been introduced.

With the W12 now fully and truly axed, this marks the last non-electrified drivetrain on a Bentley - a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in all its (relative) old-school glory.

Under the hood is a 4.0-litre V8 that delivers a creamy smooth 542bhp and 770Nm of torque

V8 standard

Internal combustion isn't totally going away from Bentley (at least not yet). The next generation Flying Spur will have an 'Ultra Performance Hybrid' powertrain, combining a 4.0-litre V8 to a 187bhp electric motor to make it the most powerful four-door Bentley ever. By all accounts, it looks like plug-in hybrids are the way forward for the brand - as it pursues greater performance, as well as a greener future - until it eventually goes all-electric.

As such, this un-electrically-assisted turbocharged V8 appears to be the last of its ilk. With 542bhp and 770Nm of torque, it easily hustles the 2.3-tonne Flying Spur from 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds. Power is sent to all four wheels in elegantly smooth fashion, and it builds thrust while gently emitting a deep thrum.

The Flying Spur is quiet, effortless and unflappably refined while on the move, delivering an unmistakable high-luxury experience

This is in keeping with the car's luxe limo character - quiet, effortless and unflappably refined on the move. On this Azure variant, you also get the Bentley Dynamic Ride system and all-wheel steering, on top of air suspension with continuous damping control, dynamic ride height control, and a selection of drive modes.

Does it handle better? I'm not sure - I wasn't particularly interested in chucking the Flying Spur around corners. What I can tell you is that the ride stability is great, ride quality supple and smooth, and the car feels quite easy to drive (even at carpark speeds) given its sizeable dimensions. It's only when you inevitably have to park that the car's 5,316mm length and 2,220mm width becomes impossible to hide.

The distinct grille and circular head lights create a distinctive and recognisable look, and casts a stately presence on the road

Luxury everywhere

While this specific powertrain is on its way out, the Flying Spur's formula of luxury most certainly isn't.

It starts with the way the car looks - elegant and stately, helped by the optional upsized 22-inch wheels on this particular unit. With the iconic round head lights and bright chrome grille with vertical vanes, people are going to get out of your way when they see you in their rear view mirror (tested and proven).

Open up the doors and you're greeted by illuminated tread plates, with the lighting matching whichever ambient lighting colour you choose.

Knurling on the inside of the door handles reminds you about this car's lavishness every time you open the door

The optional open pore Koa wood veneer looks great, feels great, and even smells great

As you'd expect, the Flying Spur is a sumptuous space to be in, especially on this more luxe Azure model. Diamond quilting on the Nappa leather seats, deep pile carpets, dinamica headlining, the Flying Spur is dripping in quality and luxury (there's even knurling on the inside of the door handles!). I particularly love the open pore Koa wood veneer. 

It's also packed to the gills with equipment. Massage and ventilated front and rear seats? Yup. 10-speaker audio system? Yup. Head-up display? Yup. Rear cabin touch screen remote? Yup. Electronically operated blinds all around? Yup. This is a high-SES car in every sense of the word.

That said, there are clear signs that this car is of an earlier technological time. There are a lot of buttons (in fact I would suggest too many), the graphics look slightly dated, and while mostly hidden under opulent materials and trim, you can still spot some identifying Audi parts (the steering wheel buttons, the digital cluster interface).

The rear seats are definitely where you want to be, with its lounge-like ambience augmented by a touchscreen that gives you control over a host of car functions

Elder statesman

Luxury and opulence are very much the Flying Spur's calling cards. This outgoing iteration inevitably shows some sign of tasteful age - it delivers a more tactile experience as compared to some of the flashier, more tech-forward offerings. 

Is it the last word in technology? It isn't. The relentless forward march of technology means that there are cars that can deliver more technological flash at a quarter of the price.

But perhaps luxury and sophistication is inherently slightly ornate in nature - a little old-fashioned just as this V8 engine is proving to become slowly a thing of the past. Matching old-school charm and opulence with new-school creature comforts and amenities, this Flying Spur is a luxury limo that you cannot help but be impressed with. 

It's quite indicative of the times we are in now, but I feel like I've recently been writing a larger-than-usual number of 'last-of-its-kind' stories, and this Flying Spur Azure could fall into that category.

This luxury formula - big performance combined with outsized quality and opulence - will persist, but the specific components will evolve (as they arguably should). While its slightly sad to see this particular V8 powertrain bid an eventual farewell, I have no doubt that the new Flying Spur (and the ones that follow) will always continue to deliver a quintessential luxury experience, just as this one does.