Teased: New Bentley Flying Spur

Bentley revamped its two-door Continental GT at the end of 2010, but the Flying Spur sedan has thus far soldiered on more or less unchanged since its 2005 debut.

Time then, for a significantly updated model that’s previewed here via this teaser pic, with the company promising to release more details on February 20, ahead of the car’s anticipated public debut at next month’s Geneva motor show.

This abstract rendering provides at least a general indication of the new Flying Spur’s silhouette, and what it suggests to us is that car will mirror elements of the larger Mulsanne’s profile with a more tapered roofline and less organic surfacing on its flanks, nose and tail.

It’s believed the new Flying Spur will have much more of a ‘Coke bottle’ shape than before, along with a sportier and more muscular stance.

As per the MkII Continental GT, the new Flying Spur is more a heavy reskin and reengineering exercise than an all-new car, which means the wheelbase, tracks and fixed-design ‘hard’ points are likely to be the same as before.

That said, Bentley is reportedly targeting dynamics that won’t be shamed by the upcoming Mercedes W222 S-Class, not to mention the existing BMW 7 Series and Audi A8.

Former Bentley exterior design chief David Hilton had suggested in an earlier interview that round headlights would remain a signature feature of Bentley models in the foreseeable future, and at the rear the cars’ distinguishing features will be a rectangular taillight design with contrasting oval exhausts.

In terms of its powertrain line-up the Flying Spur is expected to mirror the Continental GT, with the entry-level 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 serving up 373kW and 660Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Further up the range will be the familiar 6.0-litre W12, which pumps out 423kW and 700Nm.?
Given the Flying Spur’s significant sales numbers in China, there is strong emphasis on class-leading rear-seat accommodation, and the Mk2 Flying Spur is tipped to get higher quality instrumentation, switchgear, mouldings and leather/wood trim.

It’s believed Bentley engineers have also invested considerable time and resources to provide greater noise isolation and ride quality in line with the car’s positioning as a (primarily) chauffeur-driven limo.

The introduction of the V8 variant (an engine that has thus far only featured in the two-door Conti GT) is expected to bring down entry-level pricing down to more affordable levels – possibly below the $300k mark, which should significantly broaden the Flying Spur’s target audience.