Flying Spur
Bentley launched the Continental Flying Spur in 2005 as a four-door saloon related to the Continental GT, but designed to provide greater space and comfort for rear passengers. The model dropped the “Continental” prefix in 2013, then received a much more extensive redesign in 2019. Depending on the model year, the Flying Spur has been offered with W12, V8 and plug-in hybrid powertrains, together with all-wheel drive and a highly bespoke interior. The fourth generation, unveiled on September 10, 2024, introduced Bentley’s 782-horsepower Ultra Performance Hybrid system in Speed specification. The 2013–2024 period therefore covers a significant transition, from a traditional W12-powered luxury saloon to a more technology-focused and electrified interpretation of high-speed grand touring.
Variants by year
2024
2019
2013
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Bentley launched the Continental Flying Spur in 2005 as a four-door saloon related to the Continental GT, but designed to provide greater space and comfort for rear passengers. The model dropped the “Continental” prefix in 2013, then received a much more extensive redesign in 2019. Depending on the model year, the Flying Spur has been offered with W12, V8 and plug-in hybrid powertrains, together with all-wheel drive and a highly bespoke interior. The fourth generation, unveiled on September 10, 2024, introduced Bentley’s 782-horsepower Ultra Performance Hybrid system in Speed specification. The 2013–2024 period therefore covers a significant transition, from a traditional W12-powered luxury saloon to a more technology-focused and electrified interpretation of high-speed grand touring.
History
The Flying Spur evolved from the Continental GT introduced in 2003. Bentley developed a four-door counterpart to combine the coupé’s performance with a more practical body and a more accommodating rear compartment. Sold from 2005 as the Continental Flying Spur, it used a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12, a six-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive. Bentley states that more than 4,500 examples were delivered during the first full year of production. The second generation arrived in 2013. The name was shortened to Flying Spur, helping distinguish the saloon from the two-door Continental models. This generation adopted a more individual exterior design and expanded the powertrain range with a V8, while the W12 remained the flagship option. Speed derivatives placed a stronger emphasis on acceleration and chassis performance. Unveiled in June 2019, the third generation introduced a new structure and more advanced chassis technology, including all-wheel steering, active all-wheel drive and Bentley Dynamic Ride. The V8 officially joined the range in 2020, followed by the plug-in Flying Spur Hybrid with a V6 powertrain in 2022. In 2024, Bentley ended W12 production and introduced a fourth-generation plug-in hybrid model, initially launched in Speed specification.
Generations
The first generation, produced from 2005 to 2013, is generally identified as the Continental Flying Spur. It shares a strong visual relationship with the first-generation Continental GT, including Bentley’s large matrix grille, and uses a twin-turbocharged W12 with permanent all-wheel drive. Speed versions were also offered, adding a more performance-oriented specification and stronger visual detailing. The second generation covers mainly the 2013–2019 model years. Its most obvious naming change was the removal of the Continental prefix. The body became more angular and formal, while the cabin placed greater emphasis on rear-seat space and limousine-style comfort. A V8 joined the W12, and variants such as the V8 S, W12 S and Speed provided different balances between refinement and performance. The third generation was introduced in 2019 and continued until the arrival of its successor in 2024. It brought a new structure, a longer wheelbase, active all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering and three-chamber air suspension. It can also be identified by the retractable, illuminated Flying B mascot. The fourth generation, announced in September 2024, retained the large luxury-saloon concept but adopted a plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain producing 782 PS in Speed form.
Key differences
The differences between generations concern the name, styling and chassis technology. A 2005–2013 Continental Flying Spur has a rounder appearance and a close visual relationship with the Continental GT of the same period. The 2013–2019 generation adopts straighter body lines, a more imposing grille and a stronger limousine character. It can be equipped with either a V8 or W12, but it does not use the later generation’s more advanced chassis architecture. The Flying Spur launched in 2019 has a visually wider stance, a longer wheelbase and several major technical features: all-wheel steering, active all-wheel drive, three-chamber air suspension and Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll control. The V6 plug-in hybrid was introduced during this generation. The model presented in 2024 is distinguished by its plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain and revised exterior design. Equipment, engines and trim availability may nevertheless differ between markets and production periods.
Photo recognition
To identify a first-generation car, look for the Continental Flying Spur name and a body closely related to the Continental GT introduced in 2003. The front end uses Bentley’s upright grille, relatively simple headlamps and rounded body surfaces. Speed versions may feature sportier exterior details, but the model year and market are still needed to confirm the exact specification. The 2013 model is marked by the removal of the Continental name, sharper body sculpting and a more formal front design. V8, V8 S, W12 S or Speed badges, together with the exhaust layout, can help separate variants, although badges alone are not conclusive because equipment may have been changed or specified differently. The generation introduced in 2019 has a more upright grille, B-shaped rear lamp graphics and, depending on specification, a retractable illuminated Flying B mascot. The rotating centre display and rear-seat touchscreen are useful interior clues. The 2024 model has revised front-end detailing and darker exterior brightwork on Speed versions.
Important versions
The 2005 Continental Flying Spur W12 is the model’s founding version, using a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. Flying Spur Speed variants then provided the most performance-focused interpretation of the early generations. In 2013, the V8 expanded the range with a lighter character and lower claimed fuel consumption than the W12. During the 2019 generation, the W12 remained the power flagship, while the V8 emphasized agility and efficiency. The Flying Spur Hybrid introduced in 2022 combines a 2.9-liter petrol V6 with an electric motor. Finally, the fourth-generation Flying Spur Speed unveiled in 2024 combines a 4.0-liter V8 and electric motor for a claimed system output of 782 PS.
References
- Flying Spur | History and HeritageBentley Motors
- 2005 Flying SpurBentley Newsroom
- All-New Bentley Flying Spur: Sports Sedan Meets Luxury LimousineBentley Newsroom
- Flying Spur Now Available with Renowned V8 PowertrainBentley Newsroom
- Flying Spur Hybrid Certified as Most Efficient Bentley YetBentley Newsroom
- The New Flying Spur: The Most Powerful Bentley Four-Door EverBentley Newsroom
- Bentley Flying Spur 2013–2019 Used Car ReviewRAC Drive
- https://www.cars.com/research/bentley-continental_flying_spur/cars.com
Technical specifications
Structured data available for versions linked to this model.
| Version | Power | Torque | Top speed | Drivetrain | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 399.4 kw (543 hp) | 553.2 lb-ft (750 Nm) | 207 mph (333 km/h) | All Wheel Drive / 8-speed automatic | Hybrid Gasoline |
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Bentley Flying Spur produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2013 - 2024.
- How many Bentley Flying Spur examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 7 published scans from 6 members, with the latest photo added in August 2026.
- What is the power output of the Bentley Flying Spur?
- The sourced technical data lists 399.4 kw (543 hp).