Bentley Flying Spur Speed bursts out

The fastest and most focused four-door Bentley to date, the 2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed, has been revealed in the UK.

One of the last internal-combustion Bentleys to be powered by the Volkswagen Group’s iconic twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine, the Flying Spur Speed boasts peak outputs of 467kW/900Nm and a 0-100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds.

That peak power figure and acceleration time are both down on the 485kW Bentley Continental GT Speed (3.5s) but still mark a drastic improvement (+63kW/130Nm, 0.5s) over the lesser Flying Spur S.

Speed freaks will be happy to hear the v-max of the Flying Spur Speed sedan, which joins the Continental GT Speed coupe and Bentayga Speed, is an OCD-friendly 333km/h.

As usual for a Bentley, drive is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that’s been remapped to deliver faster and crisper shifts than in lesser variants.

This newfound athleticism isn’t just limited to the powertrain though; the all-wheel-drive, 48V electronic anti-roll, braking, all-wheel steering, adaptive suspension and drive mode systems have all been updated or enhanced to improve outright performance and driver involvement.

The extra capability is reflected both inside the cabin and out, with the most obvious cosmetic upgrades being the black grille mesh, dark-tinted headlights and tail-lights, bespoke Speed badging and two-tone 22-inch alloy wheels.

Under the bonnet you’ll also find a jewelled filler cap which just so happens to match the jewelled fuel cap.

Some 15 colour combinations are available for the interior in regard to the trim, seat and dash upholstery, but the standard trim is a sporty (go figure) piano-black veneer – crown cut walnut, dark stained burr walnut or dark fiddleback eucalyptus are available as no-cost options.

All of the key occupant touchpoints are finished in Dinamica Pure (73 per cent recycled polyester), while the 24-way power-adjustable front and 14-way power-adjustable rear seats are finished in premium coloured leather.

Other unique kit highlights include performance graphics for the infotainment system, heating, ventilation, massage and memory functions for every seat, plus sports pedals, illuminated Speed scuff plates and a smattering of other interior Speed emblems.

“Bentley is completing its new portfolio of Grand Tourers with the Flying Spur Speed, the most driving-focused version of the Flying Spur luxury performance sedan family,” said Bentley.

“The Flying Spur Speed is the pinnacle performance model, and together with the Flying Spur Mulliner is the car of choice should a customer desire a W12-powered Flying Spur, with the standard Flying Spur W12 ceasing production in May this year.”

The new four-door speed machine is yet to be locked in for Australia – carsales has contacted Bentley for confirmation – but if the Continental GT Speed was anything to go by, the Flying Spur Speed wouldn’t arrive here until at least early 2023 and would cost more than half a million dollars.