Bentley Flying Spur makes its Swiss bow

British luxury automobiles manufacturer Bentley has announced the debut of its all-new Flying Spur luxury sedan at the Salon International de l’Auto in Geneva set to be held from March 7 to 17. Bentley’s showcase of luxury and performance continues with the European debut of the GT Speed Convertible, an enhanced specification for the flagship Mulsanne, and the Continental GT V8 and GT W12 on display, a statement from the company said. Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, chairman and chief executive, said: “The new Bentley Flying Spur marks a big step forward. We have re-designed and re-engineered almost every part of the car. In simple words, we have created the best luxury sedan in the world – a perfect combination of exquisite refinement, effortless performance, elegant styling and state-of-the-art technology.” “The Flying Spur meets the desires of our customers perfectly and is a car only Bentley could make – timeless design inside and out, elegant lines, ultimate material quality, attention to detail, class leading refinement and, of course, effortless performance.”    Bentley’s styling team developed an athletic design for the new Flying Spur that combines traditional styling cues with a sporting stance and contemporary details. Sharp feature lines complement muscular rear haunches, while LED day-time running lights, dipped headlights and taillights characterise the front and rear profiles. Powering the new car is Bentley’s 6.0-litre, twin turbo W12 engine, coupled to a ZF eight-speed transmission, the statement said. Developing 625 PS (616 bhp) and 800 Nm of torque, the car features more power than any other Bentley four-door in history. A 14 per cent improvement in the power-to-weight ratio over the outgoing model delivers a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top-speed of 200 mph (322 km/h). In the modern Bentley tradition, power is delivered to the road via all-wheel drive with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for a sure-footed, engaging drive in all road and weather conditions, it said. Also making its European show debut is the new GT Speed Convertible, combining the sensory pleasures of roof-down luxury touring with the shattering performance of a 625 PS (616 bhp) twin-turbocharged 6.0 litre W12, while delivering a 15 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency. The close-ratio eight-speed transmission, uprated and lowered suspension and retuned steering provide exhilarating acceleration and sharp, communicative handling without detriment to the ride comfort of Bentley’s Continental convertible. Permanent all-wheel drive ensures optimum traction and power delivery whatever the road conditions. The new GT Speed Convertible has a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h). A range of new luxury features have been added to the Mulsanne and are on display for the first time in Geneva, offering a new suite of entertainment and communication system options, the statement said. A new comfort specification, including comfort headrests, footrests and duck down filled loose cushions has been introduced to reaffirm Mulsanne’s reputation as a bespoke grand tourer. Additional enhancements include privacy curtains, which promise to broaden the experience for the Mulsanne rear cabin occupants, allowing them to maximise work or rest as they travel.      An entertainment specification incorporates the latest in technological developments, with picnic tables designed for an iPad and wireless keyboard, with the cabin of the Mulsanne becoming a Wi-Fi hotspot. Other additions include three new paint options, extending the Mulsanne palette, and new bespoke fitted luggage. The GT V8, powered by a 4.0 litre, twin turbocharged V8 engine achieves exceptional standards for power-to-emissions in the high luxury sports car sector, it said. The engine delivers maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS / 373 Kw) at 6000 rev/min and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft) which is available across virtually the entire rev range, providing exhilarating performance and effortless power delivery in the Bentley tradition. This translates into a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds for the GT coupe (0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds) and a top speed of 188 mph (303 km/h). At the same time, the V8 Continental models achieve outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the luxury performance sector and are capable of travelling over 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank of fuel. TradeArabia News