Cars like the Porsche 911, Audi R8 V10 Plus, Jaguar F-Type R, and the Mercedes AMG series all excel in performance, with acceleration times dipping below 4 seconds for 0-100 KMPH. They are engineered to withstand tough driving conditions and boast better-performing engines than even the best sports cars. Despite their impressive engine capacity, excellent drivetrains, and well-developed interiors, they lack the luxury feel of handcrafted leather and the prestigious Bentley heritage. The 2017 Bentley Flying Spur V8 S stands as a testament to automotive luxury, revered not merely for its capacity to conquer drag races but for its unparalleled ability to seamlessly blend speed and serenity. Crafted for those who seek more than mere transportation, it envelops drivers and passengers alike in a cocoon of opulence, where every journey becomes an indulgent escape. Since its launch back in 2005, the company is currently on its third generation of the Flying Spur, indicating the success it has gained from moving towards a 4-door sedan. The 2017 Bentley Flying Spur V8 S was among the second generation, with the ‘S’ variant representing a sport-oriented approach for the Flying Spur to match the power output of other competitors.
While the standard 2017 Flying Spur was able to generate power of almost 500 HP on a V8 engine, the 2017 Flying Spur V8 S generated over 520 HP through an increase in turbocharger boost pressure as well as improvements in the car’s aerodynamics. With over 5,400 lbs in weight, the Flying Spur V8 S needed a substantial amount of torque to easily maneuver this large car. Therefore, the car was made to generate over 502 lb-ft of torque. This subsequently handled the acceleration better as well, and this variant saw a 0-60 mph jump in almost 4.6 seconds, closing down the acceleration gap with the market leaders. Since the car was created to be a model of the Sports-mode, the company wanted to showcase their All-Wheel-Drive ability to confirm that their Flying Spurs could perform equally well in rugged terrains. This would also be the right opportunity to mention the 8-speed automatic transmission that seamlessly powered the AWD, setting an example in the industry on how to integrate Automatic and Manual transmissions together for a better driving experience. Despite weighing well over 2 tons, the Flying Spur feels exceptionally light on the ground. This is due to the air suspension system installed within the car, enabling seamless movement on the ground as well as around the curbs. With the help of the car’s low center of gravity, the balance on the ground is remarkable and indeed one of the reasons why the car can top 190 mph and still stay attached to the surface. Although this does not help the fuel performance of the car, since moving a 5,000 lbs machine at over 150 miles per hour consumes a lot of fuel. Therefore, on average, the 2017 Flying Spur V8 S only manages a mere 14 mpg (miles per gallon) in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. However, when buying a super-saloon with these many luxury amenities, customers are seldom worried about fuel averages as long as it's sufficiently within the boundaries of the industry standards. Furthermore, the car provides the same technological advancements of the base model with Blind-spot monitoring, Lane-assist, adaptive cruise control and surround view camera, all adding to the capabilities of the car.
Where Bentley loses out in acceleration and handling, it makes up with handcrafted upholstery and wooden veneers. The car comes equipped with metal accents complemented by shiny wooden finishings made from expensive wood and made to last. Companies like Bentley and Rolls-Royce gained specific fame in the industry due to their customization options which allowed individuals to upgrade the car’s color gradient, headliner, seat covers, and metal accents according to their understanding of luxury for better attachment with the car. This 2017 Bentley Flying Spur provides similar amenities with the addition of heating and ventilating amalgamated within the handcrafted leather of the seating. Furthermore, the car provides an infotainment system built right into the woodwork of the console, providing a top-of-the-line touchscreen display for the front passenger with the option for upgrade for rear-seat passengers as well. The ‘S’ model of the 2017 Flying Spur retailed at $208,725, which came out to be exactly $16,000 pricier than the standard variant. However, the car is currently available in the market for around $80,000 - $100,000 with a decent amount of miles on it, so it can be considered worth buying.
The better construction for increased aerodynamic advantage and the increased combustion power for the V8 engine made a difference in the ‘S’ model, with the company able to pull out more horsepower from the Flying Spur. The increased cost for the top-of-the-line variant is somewhat justifiable from the company’s perspective as it does a much better job of showcasing the mechanical prowess in a Bentley engine, and the sleeker design provides a sporty look. The amenities also matched the upgrade, as this was one of the first models with rear-seat entertainment and sunroof covers. All in all, for the said price, the car is a reasonable buy considering you can get a Bentley for less than $100,000, which could represent both the heritage of the company as well as the future prospects. However, used cars may not always provide the same utilities as a new one, which is why it is necessary to buy and sell cars only on verified platforms like the Exotic Car Trader, where inspection options and certified professionals can guarantee the condition of a car.
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