There comes a point where redesigning a successful luxury car becomes less about reinvention and more about knowing what not to change. That’s the challenge Bentley faced with the latest Flying Spur. Its flagship saloon has long been regarded as one of the finest grand touring four-doors on sale, combining effortless performance with handcrafted luxury in a way few rivals can match.
The latest Bentley Flying Spur doesn’t attempt to rewrite the formula that has made the Crewe-based marque’s most elegant vehicle line a coveted global success story since the “Flying Spur” badge was applied to custom-built, luxury four-door versions of the Bentley S-series in the late 1950s.
Instead, for 2026, Bentley has focused on refining almost every aspect of the car, introducing a new design language, an all-hybrid powertrain lineup, and a host of chassis and technology upgrades. The result is a car that remains instantly recognisable, yet is arguably the most technically advanced Flying Spur to leave Crewe.
FAMILIAR, YET UNMISTAKABLY NEW
At first glance, it would be easy to mistake the updated Flying Spur for its predecessor. That’s entirely intentional. Bentley understands that its customers value continuity, and the Flying Spur has never been a car that follows fashion.
Look a little closer, however, and the changes become apparent. The most obvious is the front end, where Bentley has departed from its familiar four-headlamp arrangement in favour of a cleaner, more contemporary design inspired by the latest Continental GT. The new single oval headlamps are slimmer and more sculpted, giving the car a slightly lower and wider visual stance. It’s the first Bentley saloon to adopt this lighting signature since the Bentley S3 of 1962, making it one of the boldest styling decisions the company has made in decades.
The revised grille integrates more neatly with the redesigned bumper, while subtle changes to the rear include new LED tail lamps with an illuminated Bentley motif and a cleaner treatment around the number plate recess. Fresh wheel designs and additional paint finishes complete the visual updates without altering the Flying Spur’s elegant proportions.
It’s a restrained approach, but one that suits the character of the car. Rather than chasing trends, Bentley has concentrated on making an already handsome design feel more contemporary.
A NEW CHAPTER UNDER THE BONNET
The biggest change lies beneath the sculpted bodywork.
Bentley’s iconic 6.0-litre W12 has officially reached the end of the road. In its place comes a family of electrified V8 plug-in hybrid powertrains that deliver more performance, lower emissions and significantly greater flexibility in everyday driving.
The standard Flying Spur, along with the Azure and newly introduced S derivative, uses Bentley’s High Performance Hybrid system. It pairs a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 with an electric motor housed within the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, producing a combined 500 kW and 930 Nm.
Those figures would have comfortably qualified as flagship territory only a few years ago.
Buyers wanting the ultimate Flying Spur can still opt for the Speed or Mulliner, both of which feature Bentley’s Ultra Performance Hybrid system. Output rises to an extraordinary 575 kW and 1,000 Nm, making the Flying Spur Speed the most powerful four-door Bentley ever produced.
More significant than the numbers themselves is how that performance is delivered. The electric motor provides instant torque the moment the accelerator is pressed, smoothing power delivery and giving the car an immediacy that even the outgoing W12 couldn’t match. The hybrid system also enables meaningful electric-only driving for shorter journeys, allowing owners to move through urban environments in near silence before the V8 joins the experience when required.
It’s another reminder that electrification has evolved well beyond improving fuel economy. In cars like the Flying Spur, it’s becoming an integral part of the driving experience.
THE DRIVER’S BENTLEY
The return of the Flying Spur S adds an interesting dimension to the range. Historically, Bentley’s S models have appealed to owners who prefer spending time behind the steering wheel rather than in the rear seats. The latest version continues that philosophy, combining the High Performance Hybrid powertrain with a more focused chassis set-up and distinctive exterior detailing.
It also introduces Bentley’s electronic limited-slip differential to the Flying Spur for the first time. Working alongside rear-wheel steering, torque vectoring, and Bentley Performance Active Chassis, the system promises greater agility without compromising the car’s renowned ride quality.
The figures certainly support those claims. Bentley quotes a zero to 100 km/h time of just 3.7 seconds for the Flying Spur S, while the flagship Speed reduces that to around 3.5 seconds. For perspective, that’s the sort of acceleration associated with dedicated sports cars rather than a luxury saloon measuring well over five metres in length.
Yet outright pace has never been the Flying Spur’s defining characteristic. What has always distinguished it is the ease with which it delivers that performance, covering long distances with little effort from either the car or its occupants.
OF COURSE IT’S HAND CRAFTED
If the exterior changes are subtle, the interior remains reassuringly familiar. Bentley has resisted the temptation to replace traditional craftsmanship with ever-larger displays and digital gimmickry. Leather, timber, and polished metal continue to dominate the cabin, each hand-assembled at the company’s Crewe factory.
Customers can now choose from an expanded selection of upholstery designs, veneers and personalisation options, including five different seating styles. The latest infotainment system supports My Bentley App Studio, allowing selected applications to be downloaded directly to the vehicle, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain standard.
The updated Flying Spur also benefits from the latest driver assistance technologies, with systems that make greater use of navigation and traffic data to improve both comfort and efficiency.
For those seeking the ultimate expression of Bentley luxury, the Mulliner model raises the bar further with exclusive finishes, unique detailing and the latest Naim for Mulliner audio system.
PROGRESS WITHOUT COMPROMISE
The arrival of the updated Flying Spur reflects a broader change taking place across the luxury automotive sector.
For generations, flagship models were defined largely by engine capacity and cylinder count. Today, manufacturers are finding new ways to improve performance, refinement and efficiency through electrification. Bentley’s approach demonstrates that these objectives need not be mutually exclusive.
Rather than replacing the character of the Flying Spur, the hybrid powertrain appears to complement it. Instant electric torque enhances refinement at low speeds, while the V8 retains the sense of occasion expected from a Bentley. It’s a carefully judged balance that feels entirely appropriate for a luxury grand tourer.
It also aligns with Bentley’s long-term Beyond100 strategy, which will see the marque continue expanding its electrified portfolio over the coming years.
SOUTH AFRICAN PROSPECTS
Bentley has confirmed that production of the updated Flying Spur will begin during the second half of 2026, with customer deliveries expected before the end of the year.
While local specifications and pricing have yet to be announced, the Flying Spur has long been an important model for Bentley’s South African retailer network. Given the brand’s established local presence, it seems likely that the updated range will follow once global production gains momentum.
LAST WORD
The latest Flying Spur isn’t a radical departure from the car it replaces, nor was it ever intended to be. Instead, Bentley has concentrated on refining the qualities that have always defined the model. The styling has been carefully modernised, the cabin remains among the finest in the segment, and the move to hybrid power has delivered meaningful gains in both performance and efficiency.
Perhaps most importantly, Bentley hasn’t allowed technology to overshadow craftsmanship. The Flying Spur remains a Bentley first and a hybrid second. That may well be the most impressive achievement of all. In an increasingly digital automotive landscape, the Flying Spur continues to place equal emphasis on engineering, craftsmanship, and the quiet confidence that has long set it apart. It’s a thoughtful evolution of an already accomplished luxury saloon, and one that suggests Bentley’s future is in very capable hands.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © BENTLEY SOUTH AFRICA
