The new Bentley Flying Spur, which arrived only last year and signalled the death knell for the range topping Mulsanne, has been updated…sort of. It’s been updated in as much as you can now ask for something called the ‘Styling Specification’, at which point Bentley will stick a load of real carbon fibre onto your massive Benters saloon.
Because Bentley isn’t a backstreet tuner, obviously, it’s not just a case of sticking a couple of carbon fibre veneers onto the existing panels. Instead, Styling Specification means a new front splitter, side sills, spoiler and rear diffuser, all of them proper carbon fibre weave with a 2×2 twill pattern and finished in high gloss lacquer.
You’ll also get your B-shaped side vents refinished in black, as well as other parts of the trim like the window surrounds and grille. The side skirts also get an ‘electroformed’ badge (below), a manufacturing technique which, we’re told, minimises the risk of air bubbles forming in the lacquer, ensuring that the finish is perfect.
It’s all designed to mark out the Flying Spur as a performance car rather than just a luxury one. And boy, do they test the new bits too. Here’s how, in Bentley’s words:
“The first designs are assessed and refined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software for aerodynamic performance including front and rear lift and overall drag. Simulations are also made of the effect on powertrain cooling, brake cooling and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Electrical testing seeks to minimise any affect that the carbon fibre parts may have on vehicle systems from PDC (park distance control) to radar systems and antennae for on-board communications and entertainment.
“Only once these virtual assessments are complete are the first physical prototypes manufactured, before being refined in the wind tunnel and on the test track. The parts are also assessed across all driving conditions up to and including top speed, for stability, feel and performance under both acceleration and braking to ensure that the Bentley driving dynamic is maintained.
“Once functionality is signed-off, the parts are assessed through a variety of validation tests. These include durability programmes – including overall vehicle tests of 100,000 km – to abuse testing such as wading, kerb strikes, and rough roads. Rig testing in Bentley’s Quality lab assesses performance through the rigours of vibration, thermal cycling, point loading and impacts.”
Phew. That’s our word, not Bentley’s.
The Flying Spur is powered by a 626bhp twin-turbo 12-cylinder engine with an astonishing 900Nm torque, good for a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds and a 207mph top speed. Remember, this thing weighs the best part of two-and-a-half tonnes. That’s 5500lbs, weight watchers.
No word on the cost of this carbon fibre trim odyssey, but figure on it adding a five-figure sum to the £170,000 cost of the car, before any other options.
Keyword: Bentley Flying Spur gets carbon fibre body kit