2020 Bentley Flying Spur lands

The drapes have been pulled off the all-new third-generation Bentley Flying Spur that claims to blend the luxury of a limousine and the performance of a sports sedan.

Claimed to be nothing less than a "technological tour de force", the latest Bentley Flying Spur has migrated to the same MSB platform that underpins the current Continental GT coupe and Porsche's Panamera.

The new architecture brings new tech previously alien to the British car-maker's limo, including 48-volt electronic architecture, rear-steer, active all-wheel drive and three-chamber air springs that includes roll-cancelling.

The result is a car that offers limousine-levels of ride comfort but the agility and body control of something far sportier.

Featuring aggressive flared arches, large 21- or 22-inch rims, the Flying Spur also gains a set of cut-crystal LED matrix headlamps, fresh B-signature rear LED lamps and a more modern take of the car-maker's famous 'Flying B' hood ornament that's both illuminated and retractable, for the first time.

Under the bonnet, initially, the Flying Spur is offered with the car-maker's twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 that generates the same 467kW and 900Nm as the Continental GT.

Surprisingly for a large limo, Bentley has combined its W12 with the same eight-speed dual-clutch as the coupe – that's surprising because the smaller Continental GT struggles to match the low-speed refinement of a traditional torque-converter auto.

The benefit of the dual-clutch tranny, is the Flying Spur offers devastating performance launching to 100km/h from standstill in just 3.8 seconds.

Top speed, meanwhile, is a supercar-bothering 333km/h.

Although few will buy the big Bentley to hustle Lamborghinis. Instead its owners are more likely to lounge back and enjoy the space afforded by an extra 130mm longer wheelbase.

Inside, the large limo is as cosseting as ever, offering acres of wood and leather, including new fluted leather seats and diamond quilted seats that are combined with the world's first 3D diamond quilted door inserts.

The tech invasion continues within the cabin with the Conti GT's 12.3-inch rotating display, HD instrument panel and remote control touchscreens for rear passengers.

New options for the Flying Spur include a full-length glass panoramic roof, but it's behind the wheel perhaps the biggest improvements of the all-new car will be felt.

Bentley claims shifting the front axle position forward has had a transformative effect on both the Flying Spur's handling and balance.

Drive it fast along your favourite country road and the Brit's active all-wheel drive is said to be capable of shifting all its torque to the rear pair of wheels, shuffling it back to the front wheels when slip is detected.

Factor in all-wheel steering and Bentley says the old Flying Spur's understeer is "virtually eliminated".

Luckily all this progress in the driving department has been at the expense of its ride. The Flying Spur's three-chamber air suspension is said to contain 60 per cent more air volume than before enabling engineers to broaden the levels of stiffness.

Combined with adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars that combat cornering forces and comfort will remain supreme.

Stopping shouldn't be a problem too. Bentley has fitted the Flying Spur with 420mm front discs – the world's largest iron brakes, helpful since unladen the Flying Spur still weighs a substantial 2437kg.

Ensuring the owner or, most probably, the chauffeur drives as safely as possible the Flying Spur now comes with a whole load of driver assistance programs that includes traffic assist, city assist, blind spot warning, night vision and a heads-up display.

Finally, Bentley bespoke Mulliner Personalisation department will only be too happy to step in to help you customise your Flying Spur to your heart's content with everything from larger 22-inch rims, monogramed upholstery, colour-matched leather and exterior paint and, even, significant body modifications.

On sale now, Bentley has announced customer deliveries worldwide will begin in early 2020. Pricing has not yet been announced.