Six-figure ultra-luxe sedans are normally good from prime to backside. Every element is painstakingly pored over and the result’s one thing that feels prefer it was born from a e-book of Victorian poetry. But when these pillars of perfection butt up towards the specter of zero-emissions mandates and laws, the result’s one thing that feels prefer it’s nonetheless a couple of hours of climbing away from the highest of the mountain. Such is the case with the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid.The greatFirst impressions all the time matter, and the Flying Spur Hybrid makes one hell of a splash. A sedan this massive stands out in all places, even in my tester’s normcore white paint. When the solar lands on the proper angles, the brightwork within the grille and on the Flying B hood decoration might be seen from area, and that mild additionally brings out the impressively robust physique traces above each wheels. If you need one thing flashier, go for it — as my esteemed colleague notes in his first drive, there are 56 billion other ways to configure this automotive — however even a delicate spec like this one nonetheless leaves its mark.By comparability, the Flying Spur Hybrid’s inside is something however delicate. My tester consists of the Odyssean Edition specification, a $50,050 (!!!) bundle that ramps up the visible drama with a leather-based headliner, diamond quilting on the seats, 3D diamond leather-based on the door panels and a few outright gorgeous open-pore Hawaiian Koa wooden trim.Every single millimeter of fabric is fastidiously executed, and the result’s one of the best automotive inside I’ve ever skilled. Everything seems and feels top-notch, and I actually dig the nautical blue/white/brown colorway all through. It’s so good, I’m consistently hiding the infotainment display screen (thanks, Bentley Rotating Display) simply to see extra wooden. If I needed to discover a grievance, it is that each one this actual metallic can introduce some gnarly solar reflections, however when you can afford this automotive, I assume you may as well afford sun shades. Brand geeks would possibly discover the Audi switchgear on the steering wheel, a touch that Bentley leaned on its VW Group parentage for the cabin tech. A 12.3-inch touchscreen runs a modified model of Porsche’s PCM software program; it is the last-gen stuff, although, so boot instances are slightly lazy, however the dock on the left facet makes it straightforward to swap between the assorted menus when every little thing is up and operating. Four USB-A ports are cut up evenly between the 2 rows, and each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal. A tweaked model of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit resides within the gauge show, so you’ll be able to bounce between all kinds of issues to show, however I desire the fashionable old-school gauge cluster structure.
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My tester’s inside shade combo is mainly yacht rock come to life. Somebody name Christopher Cross, stat. Andrew Krok/CNETIf you do not spec your Flying Spur Hybrid with Bentley’s $8,970 Naim audio improve, you are a dum-dum. This 2,200-watt system completely bumps, offering good audio readability throughout a variety of frequencies, so followers of both Bach or Death Grips could have an unparalleled listening expertise.Unsurprisingly, Bentley’s subsequent high-water mark comes by means of the chassis. An air suspension with adaptive dampers present one of many softest rides round. The Flying Spur is unbelievably comfortable in Comfort mode, and it does stiffen up a smidge in Sport, however the best-of-both-worlds Bentley mode is the place I desire to maintain it, for the reason that journey stays virtually illegally plush. I do not discover myself lacking the lively sway bars and rear-wheel steering discovered on non-PHEV fashions, however it’s a bummer that they can not be optioned on this variant. Then once more, I can not precisely say I’m in a rush to hustle by way of the corners.
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You’ll by no means guess what this B stands for. Andrew Krok/CNETThe not-so-greatThe Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid combines a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, an 18.9-kWh lithium-ion battery and an electrical motor for a web 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. By itself, the e-motor places out 134 hp and 295 lb-ft, and it will cruise for an EPA-estimated 21 miles on electrons alone. In the default EV mode, this big-body boss child carries me round in hushed brilliance, however as soon as it runs out of juice, the two.9-liter V6 elbows its approach into the dialog with a harsh exhaust be aware that sounds wonderful in a Porsche — the unique supply for this powertrain — however awkward in a Bentley. It by no means will get too loud within the cabin, although, so slightly further speaker bumpage will fortunately silence that uncouth V6 yowl.
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The V6 underhood sounds OK in different automobiles, however it does not actually scream “Bentley” beneath load. Andrew Krok/CNETOperating in its hybrid modes is the place the Flying Spur Hybrid’s execution falls off a cliff. Full-fat acceleration requires electro-involvement, and if that half of the equation is run dry, this hefty hauler feels slightly underpowered. Hybrid mode is ok, though the crossover to inner combustion might be jarring beneath heavier throttle purposes.Trying to maintain some electrons within the Bentley’s battery is a surprisingly irritating affair, too. Hold mode is maybe probably the most vexing, as a result of so far as I can inform, it does not truly maintain something. Over the course of two days of driving solely on this mode, I watched the lithium-ion pack drop from 40% state of cost to only 10%. In heavy visitors, I by no means depress the gasoline sufficient to kick the V6 to life, so even with Hold activated, I get to take a seat there and watch my electrons disappear into the ether.
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Pro tip: Keep the Flying Spur Hybrid in pure EV mode as usually as attainable. You will not remorse it. Andrew Krok/CNETRegenerative braking exists, however I can not suss out its programming for the lifetime of me. Whether or not the coasting function is activated within the automobile menu, the Flying Spur Hybrid likes to do nothing after I carry off the gasoline — however solely generally. Other instances, regen will kick in, however not at a degree that feels prefer it’s actually doing something. This occurs whether or not the battery is at a excessive or low state of cost, and it is actually confounding. The brake-pedal really feel additionally leaves rather a lot to be desired, with a really apparent crossover level between regeneration and friction. It is surprisingly exhausting to brake easily on this automotive, which is slightly point-defeating, being a luxo-barge and all. Most homeowners will probably have properties with charging options, and it solely takes 2.5 hours to juice as much as full with a typical Level 2 setup, so I like to recommend retaining that dangerous boy topped off as a lot as attainable. Although the braking problem is current throughout all modes, working on pure electrical energy is the place the Flying Spur Hybrid actually shines, and it leaves me extremely optimistic that the primary battery-electric Bentley will slap tougher than Will Smith.
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No matter the place you park it, count on to attract some severe consideration. Andrew Krok/CNETDown to brass tacksIs this PHEV costly? You betcha. A base Flying Spur Hybrid will set you again $217,525, together with $2,725 in necessary vacation spot charges. My tester’s Odyssean Edition spec brings the window sticker as much as a spit-take-friendly $267,575, together with vacation spot. Go loopy on the customized touches, and it would not be exhausting to spend much more. The 2022 Bentley Flying Spur may be 5 instances costlier than the common new automotive within the US, however hey, it is nonetheless $130,000 cheaper than the common house value, so there is a feather in your cap.There are so many issues to love concerning the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid. Sadly, the powertrain is not actually considered one of them. But that is a simple repair, as a result of the accessible V8 and W12 engines are each improbable and fewer advanced from an end-user standpoint. If you really need an electrical Bentley, and I feel you would possibly, you are higher off ready for the true factor.