The Bentley Flying Spur is Bentley’s four-door luxury sedan — a car that blends limousine-grade rear-seat comfort with Bentley’s performance character. The modern Flying Spur began in 2005 as the Continental Flying Spur, a four-door version of the Continental GT, and became simply Flying Spur in 2013. The current, third generation (2019) offers V8 and plug-in hybrid power, a rotating dashboard display and one of the most finely crafted interiors on the market.

Flying Spur at a glance
First use of the name 1957 (H.J. Mulliner four-door on the S-Type Continental)
Modern model 2005 (Continental Flying Spur); renamed Flying Spur 2013
Current generation Since 2019
Engines Twin-turbo V8, plug-in hybrid V8 (earlier W12)
Drive All-wheel drive, with all-wheel steering in current generation

Where the name comes from

In 1957, the coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner created a four-door body for the Bentley S-Type Continental chassis — a bold move, as the Continental had been a coupé. The name “Flying Spur” is traditionally said to come from the family crest of Mulliner’s managing director, Arthur Talbot Johnstone. The name returned when Bentley launched its modern four-door in 2005.

First generation (2005–2013)

The Continental Flying Spur used the Continental GT’s W12 engine and all-wheel drive in a longer body with four doors. It was one of the fastest four-door sedans of its time and extended Bentley’s reach to customers who wanted a sporty luxury sedan rather than a coupé.

Second generation (2013–2019)

Renamed simply Flying Spur, the second generation gained sharper styling, more power and a V8 option from 2014.

Third generation (2019–today)

The current Flying Spur shares its platform with the third-generation Continental GT. It introduced:

  • A vertical grille and more formal proportions.
  • The Bentley Rotating Display: a dashboard section that turns to show a touchscreen, analog gauges or plain veneer.
  • All-wheel steering for agility and stability.
  • A plug-in hybrid version, and later the high-performance hybrid “Speed”.
  • The return of the Flying B hood mascot, which rises from the hood electrically.

Flying Spur vs Mercedes S-Class

Both are superb places to sit. The Flying Spur feels more like a driver’s car, with firmer control and a sportier character, and its interior craftsmanship — diamond-quilted leather, knurled metal switches, hand-matched veneers — is exceptional. The S-Class and Maybach focus more on rear-seat technology, ride isolation and chauffeur features, which is why the S-Class dominates chauffeured service. See our Mercedes-Benz S-Class.