Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner Electric Hybrid: Cosmic Serenity Is Yours

Ah, piloting the Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner through the Surrey Hills on the first sun-drenched days of summer is a thing of joy, a sensory feast of dappled sunlight and English countryside finery. A week spent unearthing hidden country pubs and sampling the burgeoning vineyards springing up like alcoholics at a Chelsea gallery opening—what could be more splendid?

The Power Beneath

Beneath the bonnet resides a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, augmented by a 140 kW electric motor, a veritable symphony of mechanical artistry. Twin mono-scroll intercooled turbochargers ensure that this leviathan moves with the grace of a ballerina and the ferocity of a caged tiger. It produces a combined engine power of 782 PS, enough to rearrange your internal organs with a mere flick of the right foot, or 600 PS for those moments when subtlety is a mere suggestion. The electric motor alone provides 190 PS, ideal for silent, stealthy escapes from unwanted attention.

Energy consumption is a respectable 279 Wh/km, and the 25.9 kWh battery charges in a mere 2 hours and 45 minutes on a fast charger, allowing for a driving range of 515 miles. This translates to a 0-62 mph time of 3.5 seconds, a figure that defies the laws of physics considering its kerb weight of 2646 kg. Essentially, this is a stately drawing room that can outrun most sports cars, and reach 100 mph in a ludicrous 7.4 seconds. A gentleman’s lounge with the soul of a Le Mans contender.

The chassis, featuring aluminium double wishbones and a 48V active anti-roll bar at the front, and an aluminium multi-link design with a similar anti-roll bar at the rear, ensures a ride as smooth as a freshly ironed silk cravat. The brakes, 420 mm ventilated iron at the front and 380 mm at the rear, are capable of stopping a small moon. With its advanced twin-valve dampers, the air suspension transforms even the most treacherous roads into a silken ribbon.

Who Needs Technology?

Technology, such as Predictive Adaptive Cruise Assist and Lane Guidance, is present, but frankly, it’s akin to instructing a Savile Row tailor to use Velcro. This car is meant to be driven, not remotely managed. The 3D Surround View is useful for avoiding kerbs, but a seasoned chauffeur remains the superior option.

Commanding Presence

The Flying Spur’s exterior is a masterpiece. The two-tone bonnet and body combination, whether a dark grey body with a cream bonnet or the reverse, is simply divine, especially when complemented by the chrome brightware. With 101 colours on offer, or the option for a bespoke hue, one could match the car to the precise shade of one’s favourite vintage, or one’s eyes. The grille is suitably menacing, the twin oval LED headlamps charmingly predatory, and the body sleek and elongated. The 22-inch alloys, reminiscent of circular saws wielded by a Bond villain, are a sight to behold. The retracting ‘Flying B’ hood ornament, a delightful indulgence, is impossible to resist playing with.

Tasteful Lounge Interior

The interior is a sanctuary of sumptuousness. Heated-air-cooled front and rear massage seats, complete with head pillows and electrical adjustments, are akin to a boutique brothel on wheels, albeit a very refined one. Rear-seat entertainment allows one to control the environment while reclining in decadent comfort. A panoramic sunroof bathes the cabin in natural light. The 12.3-inch central touchscreen, with gesture control and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is a marvel of modern technology. The optional Bentley Rotating Display, a must-have, transforms the dashboard with a mere touch. Audio options range from a 650W 10-speaker system to a 2,200W 18-speaker Naim system with kinaesthetic shakers, ensuring the perfect soundtrack for one’s journey. The cabin, a symphony of soft leather, quilted door panels, 3D diamond patterns, and exquisite wood veneers, is a testament to handcrafted luxury, a space where one feels both cosseted and utterly in command.

Imagine sinking into these soft, two-tone leather seats, the light Linen and deep Beluga shades playing off each other. Then, your fingers trace the Camel stitching, a subtle, handmade detail. And those glossy, Grand Piano Black panels? They reflect everything, like a polished mirror, with these Mulliner badges tucked away, just a little reminder of the craftsmanship.

While 346 litres in the boot might be a bit tight for some, you really should send the luggage ahead anyway; that's what vans are for.

Bentley, in my estimation, crafts the finest interiors, achieving a harmonious balance that others can only aspire to.

Powerful Perfect Performance

Right, let's talk about the performance of this Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner, shall we? Yes, it's a limousine, designed, one might assume, for one to recline in the back, sipping something expensive and delegating the driving duties. But to do so would be a criminal waste. Trust me, ensconce yourself in the front, and you'll find yourself equally comfortable, and far more engaged, perhaps even with a frisson of illicit excitement.

The electronic, variable-ratio all-wheel steering allows for cornering with unseemly ease, a decidedly un-ladylike level of agility, I might add. This behaviour, however, is entirely lost on those relegated to the rear. Indeed, at 60 mph, one might as well be doing 20, the choice between utter boredom and cosmic serenity being entirely yours.

You can choose to waft along in all-electric mode, adopt a more pragmatic hybrid approach, or unleash the full, unadulterated V8 violence in sports mode. And those brakes? Utterly trustworthy. Emergency stops bring this behemoth to a halt in mere metres, and thanks to the frankly ludicrous suspension, you barely feel a thing. The battery, now capable of being topped up whilst driving, is a rather handy addition.

I'm genuinely impressed by the steering. Finding that elusive balance between luxury and sports car sharpness is a feat few manage, yet this Bentley pulls it off with aplomb, offering both softness and pinpoint accuracy, even with the smallest of inputs.

The accelerator, initially tuned for the gentle caress required for limousine protocol, transforms into a veritable catapult when pressed further. Engage sports mode, and all pretence of sheepishness is abandoned. It becomes positively bestial, guaranteed to plaster a grin across even the most jaded driver's face. The gearbox, keeping the revs high, produces a delightful low growl, and all 771 bhp is ready to play. And playful it is, how they manage to keep it so smooth with such acceleration is a mystery. You can just about hear the twin turbos spooling up through the soundproofed cabin, a delightful mechanical whisper.

Now, let's move on to the truly spectacular. The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, electronic limited-slip differential, and torque vectoring, combined with the all-wheel steering and active anti-roll bar, give this Flying Spur not literal flight, but a near-winged sensation. We tested it on a particularly challenging country road, using my old spirit level, one I used to use for camera adjustments. The bubble barely moved. No roll, superb stability, and masterful control, even at 60 mph on a road that resembled a lunar landscape.

But the absolute crème de la crème is the suspension. The new advanced twin-valve dampers render even the most appalling British roads into a buttery-smooth surface. Even the M25, that notorious slab of concrete misery, becomes creamy and gentle. I kid you not, this is the suspension all other suspensions whisper about in hushed, envious tones at their secret suspension society meetings.

To properly test this, one would need to be in the deserts of Arabia or the ice fields of Finland, where you could truly throw it about with complete confidence. I had half a mind to place a hundred eggs on the rear seats, convinced they wouldn't break, but my eldest son, bless his Northern European, bull-hide leather-respecting soul, pleaded against it. Kids today, far too sensible.

Range Reality?

The claimed electric range of 47 miles, or 76 kilometres, is, shall we say, a rather optimistic figure. In reality, that figure is highly dependent on several variables, not least of which is one's propensity for unleashing the full 771 bhp at every available opportunity. If you're treating the accelerator like a delicate soufflé, and coasting downhill with the engine off, you might, just might, get close. However, if you're enjoying the car as it's meant to be enjoyed – which is to say, with a healthy dose of spirited driving – expect that range to dwindle rather rapidly.

As for the combined 202 mpg, that's another figure that requires a liberal dose of scepticism. The crucial caveat here is it depends entirely on how much you utilise the initial full battery. If you're doing short, urban hops on electric power alone, you'll see a respectable figure. However, once that battery is depleted, and you're relying solely on the V8, prepare for a rather more… sobering experience at the petrol pumps. In essence, it's a bit like claiming you can live off champagne and caviar, provided you only consume a thimbleful at a time.

Back Seat Luxury At Breakneck Speed

The Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner cossets you with plush, extreme lushness, whilst being faster than most Porsches. An interior that makes one feel like a millionaire, or perhaps significantly richer. Live in perfect cosmic harmony with the world, albeit slightly removed. The luxury saloon par excellence, a car with incredible style, and enormous appeal for those who wish to cruise with panache and enjoy the raised eyebrow of appreciation as they arrive at a swanky five-star hotel. But, really, it just makes one feel rather fabulous.

The suspension is particularly unbelievable. There's some bewildering techno-sorcery at play here. It's simply impossible to traverse those new sports cars scraping speed bumps at such ridiculously high speeds and barely notice. What a joy!

Driving this is ultimately relaxing. The world appears at peace, even when one knows it isn't. It's like cosmic serenity on wheels. This must be what it feels like to be all-powerful and at one with the universe. Transcendent luxury, and my favourite Flying Spur to date.

And, of course, Curated by Mulliner, you get an exclusive selection of colours, materials, and features, allowing one to personalise your Bentley to your heart's content.

https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/flying-spur.html

Price & Bespoke Features

• Base Price: £ 244,100

Key Options Featured:

• Mulliner Personal Commission – Duo Tone: £ 24,990
• ‘Naim for Bentley’ Premium Audio System: £ 7,210
• Mulliner Bespoke Interior: £ 3,215

Mulliner Bespoke Interior & Exclusive Signature Features:

• Exterior:
  • Mulliner 'Floating Diamond' Front Grille
  • Mulliner 22" Wheel in Tungsten Grey with Polished Accents
  • Bright Chrome Exterior Detailing
     
• Interior:
  • Tri-tone Interior Colourway
  • Mulliner Quilt Pattern, Embroidery, and Enhanced Colour Selection
  • Mulliner Illuminated Tread Plates
  • Deep Pile Over Mats
  • Wellness Seating with Postural Adjust and Auto Climate
  • Colour-matched Mulliner Branded Handcrafted Key Box
  • Two Sets of Leather-bound Colour-matched Keys
  • Front Seat Comfort Specification:
    • Adjustable Seat Bolsters
    • Adjustable Seat Cushion Length
    • Power Adjustable Headrest
    • Ventilation and Massage
    • Heated Front Armrest
    • Hide Trimmed Seat Belt Buckles
       
• Touring Specification:
  • Lane Assist
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Bentley Safeguard Plus
  • Night Vision
  • Head-up Display