Tag Archives: Bentley

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Three Flying Spurs Walk Into a Time Machine…

Bentley’s in a nostalgic mood — and when Bentley gets sentimental, it doesn’t just throw a birthday party. It commissions Mulliner, its in-house tailor of automotive royalty, to create three modern tributes to the brand’s greatest four-door icons.

2025 marks a trio of milestones: 60 years of the T Series, 40 years of the Turbo R, and 20 years of the modern Flying Spur. And because Crewe doesn’t do half measures, each anniversary gets its own bespoke Flying Spur — the spiritual descendant of them all.

The 1965 T Series — Where Bentley Went Modern

The story starts at the 1965 Paris Motor Show. The Bentley T Series arrived with a radical idea for the era: a monocoque chassis. It was sleeker, stronger, and more sophisticated — and it showed the world that Bentley could blend aristocratic comfort with genuine innovation.

Its 6.2-litre V8 made a modest 199bhp, but back then, it wasn’t about numbers — it was about waft. A dash of throttle, a whisper of torque, and 0–62mph in just over 10 seconds. Decent progress, as the gentlemen of the time might say.

Mulliner’s modern homage is a Flying Spur Azure, dipped in elegant Shell Grey, riding on six-spoke alloys inspired by the original’s tri-spoke design. Inside, it’s all black and grey leather, oozing restraint. Under the bonnet? A twin-turbo V8 with 671bhp. So, yes — progress has been made.

The 1985 Turbo R — The Blower Returns

Fast-forward to the ‘80s, when power dressing and turbocharging were both all the rage. The Turbo R stormed onto the scene in 1985, essentially reintroducing the idea that a Bentley could move — properly. With a 298bhp 6.75-litre turbo V8, it could sprint to 62mph in 7.0 seconds, and with 50% stiffer suspension, it finally handled like it looked.

Bentley says the Turbo R had a nine-month waiting list — proof that plutocrats do, in fact, appreciate a good bit of oversteer.

To celebrate, Mulliner has crafted a Flying Spur Speed that channels that same swagger: Brooklands Green paint, Monaco Yellow interior accents, swept-spoke 22-inch wheels, and enough presence to make a stockbroker cry with envy. The ethos remains pure Bentley: immense, indulgent, and unapologetically bold.

The 2005 Continental Flying Spur — The New Era

Finally, we arrive in 2005 — when the newly Volkswagen-owned Bentley launched the Continental Flying Spur, a four-door version of the W12 Continental GT. It resurrected the Flying Spur name after nearly five decades and announced Bentley’s return to the big leagues.

With 549bhp and a top speed north of 200mph, it was the first true 200mph luxury saloon — a statement that refinement and ridiculous velocity could coexist.

Its modern tribute is again based on the Flying Spur Speed, finished in Cypress Green, with 10-spoke alloys, green leather, and dark burr walnut trim that screams old-money opulence.

Three Cars, One Lineage

Bentley says each of these models “played a key role in defining the Bentley four-door sedan, creating an unbroken evolutionary line leading to today’s Flying Spur.” And for once, that’s not marketing fluff.

From the technical breakthrough of the T Series to the muscle and menace of the Turbo R, and the modern might of the W12 Flying Spur, this trio maps out six decades of relentless refinement and occasional lunacy.

The result? A set of Flying Spurs that don’t just celebrate Bentley’s past — they prove the company still knows exactly what it’s about: power, poise, and presence, served with a side of handmade excess.

Source: Autocar

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Bentley Stuttgart Marks 15 Years With the Bespoke Black Forest Regional Collection

Fifteen years after opening its doors, Bentley Stuttgart is celebrating its milestone the best way a Bentley dealership knows how — with a collection of ultra-exclusive, Mulliner-crafted cars inspired by its own backyard. Meet the Black Forest Regional Collection, a trio of bespoke models that channel the rich, mysterious beauty of southwest Germany’s Schwarzwald region into rolling pieces of automotive art.

The collection—comprising the Bentayga S Black Edition, Continental GT Speed, and Continental GTC Speed—translates the textures, tones, and legends of the Black Forest into an immersive design statement. Each car was hand-finished by Mulliner, Bentley’s in-house coachbuilding division, blending regional storytelling with the brand’s signature craftsmanship.

Nature, Distilled in Metal and Leather

At first glance, all three models wear a deep “Scarab” green exterior finish, a shade that seems to shift between emerald and obsidian depending on the light—just like the forest canopy that inspired it. The look is completed by bespoke treadplates, subtle Mulliner badging, and a tailor-made luggage set trimmed in Beluga leather with bold Pillar Box Red accents.

Inside, the cabins are warm and tactile: open-pore walnut veneers, Fern Green embroidery, and finely detailed “Black Forest” motifs etched into the dashboard capture the soul of the region. Even the seat inserts carry tiny embroidered leaves and berries—an understated nod to the landscape that inspired them.

The Bentayga S Black Edition: Power in the Pines

The Bentayga S Black Edition might be the most versatile member of the trio, but there’s nothing subtle about its performance. Beneath the darkened trim and 22-inch black directional wheels lies Bentley’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, producing 542 horsepower and 770 Nm of torque. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 4.4 seconds, all while enveloping passengers in SUV-grade comfort and sound insulation.

This is Bentley’s dual personality at its finest—part muscle, part majesty. On a tight stretch of forest road, it feels taut and responsive; on the autobahn, it’s a hushed, unstoppable missile.

The Continental GT Speed: Grand Touring, Electrified

If the Bentayga is the versatile athlete, the Continental GT Speed is the reigning grand tourer reinvented for a new era. The coupe debuts Bentley’s Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain—pairing the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with an advanced electric motor for a combined 762 horsepower and 1000 Nm of torque.

That’s enough to launch this elegant heavyweight from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, making it the most powerful Continental ever built. Yet, the hybrid system isn’t just about numbers; it’s a statement of intent, proof that sustainable performance can still feel—and sound—decadent.

The Continental GTC Speed: The Black Forest, Roof Optional

For those who prefer the scent of pine needles and mountain air over cabin fragrance, the Continental GTC Speed delivers the same electrified punch as the coupe, with the added theater of open-air motoring. It’s the most driver-focused interpretation of Bentley’s convertible GT yet—proof that dropping the top doesn’t mean dropping performance.

With its Ultra Performance Hybrid system and enhanced chassis tuning, the GTC Speed balances composure and adrenaline in equal measure. Even with the roof stowed, it remains as refined as a private concert hall.

A Partnership Rooted in Craft and Community

The collection’s launch event at Bentley Stuttgart gathered clients, collectors, and long-time friends of the brand to celebrate not only 15 years of business but a deep connection to place.

“The Black Forest Regional Collection is a perfect example of how Bentley’s British craftsmanship and regional inspiration come together,” said Richard Leopold, Regional Director of Bentley Motors Europe. “It celebrates our 15-year partnership with Bentley Stuttgart, reflecting our shared commitment to creating truly personal and locally resonant expressions of luxury.”

For Christian Wild, General Manager of Bentley Stuttgart, the project hits closer to home:

“The Black Forest has always been part of our identity — it represents craftsmanship, heritage, and timeless beauty, much like Bentley itself. With these special editions, we wanted to give our customers something uniquely theirs — cars that tell a story about where they come from and what inspires them.”

Mulliner’s Art of Storytelling

Bentley’s Mulliner division remains unmatched in turning geography into geometry. Each car in the Black Forest Regional Collection tells a story through color, material, and detail—a fusion of British coachbuilding and German soul.

In an era when “special editions” can often feel like little more than marketing exercises, the Black Forest Collection stands apart. It’s a celebration of place, partnership, and the enduring allure of personalization — proof that even in 2025, luxury still has a sense of origin.

Source: Bentley

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Bentley x Steinway: When Torque Meets Tone

If music and motion ever shared a common language, it would probably sound like a V8 at full song reverberating off polished mahogany. That’s the premise behind Bentley Motors’ latest collaboration with Steinway & Sons — a pairing of two legendary names who know a thing or two about making noise with elegance.

At an exclusive event inside Steinway’s fabled Hamburg factory, the two brands unveiled a trio that redefines luxury harmony: a Bentley Flying Spur Speed Ultra Performance Hybrid in Arctic White, flanked by Steinway’s new Ultra Black and Ultra White limited-edition grand pianos. It’s a symphony in monochrome — black keys, white keys, and 626 pound-feet of torque.

The Craft of Sound and Speed

The Flying Spur Speed represents Bentley’s most dynamic four-door yet — an opulent missile powered by a twin-turbo V8 hybrid setup that blends raw performance with quiet sophistication. But here, it’s more than a car; it’s an instrument. Inside, the cabin is wrapped in Piano Black veneer — a subtle nod to Steinway’s timeless finish — with detailing so immaculate it could pass for the gloss of a freshly tuned concert grand.

Across the room, Steinway’s limited-edition Ultra series of Model B and Model D Concert Grands — just 18 and 8 units worldwide, respectively — mirror Bentley’s precision in timber, lacquer, and longevity. Each is handcrafted in Hamburg, the same city where Bentley’s latest automotive opus made its monochromatic debut.

Craftsmanship in Counterpoint

Both Bentley and Steinway have spent centuries perfecting their crafts, and now, they’re swapping notes — quite literally. Engineers and artisans from Crewe and Hamburg have visited each other’s workshops, sharing techniques in veneering, woodworking, and finish application. The result is less a collaboration and more a duet in design philosophy: that technology should serve artistry, not replace it.

Wayne Bruce, Bentley’s ever-eloquent Chief Communications and D&I Officer, calls it “a meeting of worlds, where craftsmanship connects music and motion.” Guido Zimmermann, President of Steinway & Sons Europe, frames it as “honouring heritage while exploring new expressions of design.” Translation: the old masters are riffing on a modern theme — and they’re doing it in perfect tempo.

Encore on Wheels

After the Hamburg premiere, the black-and-white ensemble will take its show on the road — literally — touring Europe for a series of private concerts where guests will experience both the resonance of Steinway’s grands and the effortless hush of Bentley’s hybrid. It’s luxury without limits, performance with poise, and design with discipline — a crescendo of excellence across keys and kilometers alike.

For those few who will own one of these pieces, whether it’s the Flying Spur or an Ultra series Steinway, the appeal isn’t just exclusivity. It’s the understanding that craftsmanship is the truest form of luxury — whether it’s tuned in A440 or revved past 6,000 rpm.

Source: Bentley