When thinking about models that embody the concepts of luxury and class, the Bentley Flying Spur is likely to make an appearance on the list. With a 20-year history, the Flying Spur is now in its third generation, the most varied in engine choices. Two powertrain options in particular have caught our attention, but are now only available on the used market after the model’s 2024 facelift.
One is the iconic W12 engine, which has powered the Flying Spur since its introduction in 2006. The other is the V6 PHEV, which first brought electrification to the Flying Spur. This powertrain also offered the added benefit of quieter driving, a bonus for passengers seeking the ultimate luxury travel experience.
The W12-Powered Flying Spur: A Unique Engine, A Fitting Farewell
2024 Bentley Flying Spur Speed W12Bring a Trailer
Let’s take a closer look at these two versions of the Flying Spur, what makes them sought after on the used market today, and what you can expect to pay for them.
The third and current generation of the Bentley Flying Spur has offered a wide range of engines since its 2019 launch. One of the most famous ones is the Volkswagen Group W12. The unit only powered the model until 2024, when it was discontinued and replaced by a hybrid powertrain with a V8 engine.
The W12 takes its name from its W-shaped configuration, in which three cylinder banks borrowed from VR6 engines are offset by 60 degrees. The engine was naturally aspirated at its first appearance, powering the Volkswagen W12 concept car, but later the company created a twin-turbocharged version.
2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed. 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12. EngineBring A Trailer (Premierautofl)
Power outputs have varied by model and engine configuration. The W12 has appeared in both high-end models and slightly more accessible vehicles, such as the Audi A8 and the Volkswagen Touareg. The W12-powered version of the third-gen Bentley Flying Spur produces 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque; it can reach 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 207 mph. The only transmission option available is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic produced by Porsche.
The W12 is a symbol of combustion-powered luxury, and its disappearance signaled a shift in the way Bentley presented itself to the world as a brand. Buyers of ultra-high-end cars began to pay attention to factors such as emissions. There was simply no place left for the W12 in the direction Bentley was heading.
The W12 engine, however, did not disappear quietly. Bentley chose to give it the send-off it deserved with a dedicated limited-run version of the Flying Spur called the Speed Edition 12. It came with a host of design features that distinguished the model from other versions of the Flying Spur, including silver brake calipers, black alloy wheels, unique badging, and unique upholstery. The Speed Edition 12 badge was located at the rear of the car, while a numbered plaque was under the hood. A new, optional paint color (the grey-green “Opalite”) was also available.
The V6 Hybrid Flying Spur: Quiet Luxury
2022 Bentley Flying Spur V6 Plug-In HybridBring a Trailer
As interesting as the W12 might be, there is another now-defunct variant of the Flying Spur you should not overlook. While the current model features a plug-in hybrid setup with a V8 engine, the previous PHEV version of the Flying Spur sported a V6.
The 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine produces 410 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque on its own. When combined with the electric motor, the total output is 536 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. This version of the model can reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, and has a top speed of 177 mph. As in the W12-powered version, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is the only one on offer.
This model was the first Flying Spur to be equipped with a hybrid powertrain, marking a major change in the model’s image. Its arrival showed that green credentials were now an important factor, and one that attracted buyers, even for a model focused on ultra-high-end luxury.
2022 Bentley Flying Spur V6 Plug-In HybridBring a Trailer
However, eco-friendliness was not the only factor that made the hybrid Flying Spur an attractive prospect. As a plug-in hybrid vehicle, this version of the model offered around 30 miles of all-electric driving. For chauffeur-driven customers who wished to make a quiet entrance and exit, the prospect of noiseless driving was a major advantage.
This Flying Spur helped reframe PHEV powertrains as a high-end feature, rather than simply as a way to improve fuel economy or save the planet. It was successful enough to pave the way for the current model, which also has a PHEV powertrain but features a V8 engine rather than a V6.
The W12 And V6 Flying Spur On The Used Market Today
2024 Bentley Flying Spur Speed W12Bring a Trailer
If you have decided that a W12 or V6 Flying Spur is the car for you, there are a few options out there in terms of price point. For the W12 model, the lower end of the price range is around $100,000, while the upper end (where a few examples of the limited-run Speed Edition 12 are located) is around $300,000. For the V6 hybrid, the price range is a little narrower, ranging from around $130,000 to $200,000.
2024 Bentley Flying Spur Speed W12Bring a Trailer
In terms of overall trend, prices are generally stable at the moment, although the prices for this generation’s early model years are showing a slight uptick. It is likely that, as examples of the Flying Spur with the W12 and PHEV V6 powertrains become more scarce, they will be more sought after by collectors who aren’t interested in the current V8 offering.
The Flying Spur’s 20 Years Of Evolution And Beyond
2005 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Silver Front Angle on Reflective Surface w/ Valley BackdropBentley
The Flying Spur has a long history behind it. However, Bentley previously used the nameplate for models produced in the 50s and 60s. Meanwhile, the modern model that goes by that moniker recently celebrated 20 years on the market. First launched in 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Flying Spur offered the W12 as its sole engine option throughout its entire first generation. It was also then known as the Continental Flying Spur, as it was launched as a four-door sedan variant of the Continental GT coupe. However, Bentley dropped the word “Continental” from the model’s name after the first generation ended in 2013.
The Flying Spur’s second generation introduced minor design changes, such as an updated, more squared-off grille. While the W12 variant was still available, a V8-powered version with a smaller price tag was offered alongside it. This version featured a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 500 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque in the standard version, or 521 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque in the Flying Spur V8 S. With both engines, an 8-speed automatic was the only transmission option.
2015 Bentley Flying Spur front nearside quarterMecum
The second-generation model remained on the market almost as long as its predecessor, eventually being replaced by the current Flying Spur for 2020. The third-gen model introduced several changes, including a modernized design and new engines. In 2024, a facelift removed all previously available powertrains from the lineup (the W12, the hybrid V6, and the V8) in favor of a single option: a PHEV powertrain that combines the 4.0-liter V8 with a single electric motor. Today, after two decades on the market, the Flying Spur is still going strong, showing no signs of leaving anytime soon.
Sources: Bentley
