218 / 298
bite
cars
new Bentley Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Wraith to
deliver the power force behind the drive, they must
have big engines. The Flying Spur is powered with a
6.0-litre twin turbo W12 engine coupled with a ZF
eight-speed transmission that delivers 625 PS (616
bhp) and 800 Nm of torques, allowing the Flying Spur
more power than any other Bentley four-door in
history.The equally powerfulWraith packs a 6.6-litre
twin turbo V12 engine that features direct petrol
injection to maximise efficiency and reduce emissions.
With an automatic ZF eight-speed transmission, it
also delivers 800 Nm of torque.
Of the two models, the Bentley is a fraction of
a second faster, accelerating from 0-60 mph in 4.3
seconds with a top speed of 200 mph thanks to its
14 per cent improvement in power-to-weight ratio
over the outgoing model. Rolls-Royce comes in with
a close 4.4 seconds with an electronically governed
top speed of 155 mph.
The Bentley’s all-wheel drive has a 40:60 rear-
biased torque split that the marque says delivers a
sure-footed, engaging drive in all road and weather
conditions. Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive
Dr Wolfgang Schreiber said, “Bentley’s new Flying
Spur is the ultimate luxury performance sedan. Our
engineers have worked tirelessly to ensure that the
Flying Spur is the perfect combination of power,
comfort, refinement and hand-crafted quality. Fitted
with the very latest technology, the new Flying Spur
is equipped both for business and relaxation whilst
remaining a car to enjoy from behind the wheel.”
The Rolls-Royce Wraith meanwhile features the
ability to multi-shift down gears, which is engaged
when the accelerator is pushed rapidly and moves
directly to an appropriate lower gear. Satellite Aided
Transmission (SAT) is a new technology introduced to
the model which, in addition to theWraith’s powerful
V12 twin-turbo engine, takes the powertrain to a
new level of effortless delivery and uses GPS data to see beyond what the driver
sees.This device is said to anticipate the driver’s next move based on location and
current driving style, then selects the most appropriate gear for the terrain ahead.
Interior
The interior of both the Flying Spur and Wraith are phenomenal. Inside the four-
door Bentley is a luxurious, spacious cabin that dresses advance acoustic and
electronic technologies in exquisite hand-crafted leather hides and wood veneers.
Occupants will be fascinated by the advanced technology that includes touch-screen
infotainment, mobile connectivity with Wi-Fi, a Rear Seat Entertainment suite and
a new hand-held Touch Screen Remote that allows rear-cabin occupants to control
an extensive range of features from the comfort of their seat. For music enthusiasts,
an eight-channel, eight-speaker audio system with Balanced Mode Radiators provide
high quality sound clarity with the option of the 1100W Naim for Bentley premium
system.
The two-door Rolls-Royce has sumptuous interior enveloped with softest
Phantom-grade leathers and expanses of wood called Canadel Panelling that the
marque claims gives the feeling of going aboard a luxury yacht.And you won’t have
to look far for a glittering, starry night sky! The roof lining of theWraith has 1,340
fibre optic lamps hand-woven into it, to give you that effect.A one-touch call button
located on the steering wheel allows navigation, telephone and other commands
to be directed straight on the model’s on-board computer. This is displayed on a
10.25” High Definition screen located on the dashboard and allows the driver to
command the Wraith by speech to find a destination of their choice rather than
manually inputting the information. Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) assists in
minimising inconvenience en route and is updated every three minutes with traffic
data via a traffic control centre.
Exterior
The new Flying Spur has been developed with an athletic design that combines
traditional Bentley styling cues with a sporting stance and contemporary details.
Its sharp feature lines complement the muscular rear haunches, while LED day-
time running lights, dipped headlights and taillights characterise the front and rear
profiles.The front fenders feature a striking new wing vent complete with an elegant
Bentley “B” motif.This forms a sharply defined edge running from the front wheel
all the way to the rear bumper, which underlines the shape’s dynamic character.
Drivers will notice that there is a more upright chrome grille that sits between the
pair of jewel-like LED headlamps and beneath the front grille; the lower intake is
full width with chromed horizontal accent that complete the dramatic face of the