After launching the 6.0-litre W12 version of the Flying Spur in February last year, Bentley Kuala Lumpur has now announced the arrival of the V8 model with a base price of RM839,000 before options and taxes

Under the hood now is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 550 hp and 770 Nm; good for a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.1 seconds onward to a top speed of 318 km/h.

When less than 235 Nm is required and engine revs are below 3,000 rpm, the V8 engine will automatically and seamlessly shut down four of its eight cylinders for higher efficiency and lower emissions.

Occupants will not notice this as the switch happens within 20 milliseconds, about 1/10 of the time it takes to blink an eye. Bentley says this also improves fuel consumption by up to 16%.

Also contributing to the Flying Spur’s efficiency while improving its agility is the lack of “body fat”. The V8 model is some 100 kg lighter than the W12 model.

In striking a fine balance between comfort and agility, the V8 Flying Spur is equipped with adaptive air suspension and a 48V electric active roll control system for reduced body roll to ensure better stability and allowing it to corner flat.

The improved air suspension also contains 60% more air volume for an even more precise setup of the suspension, according to the drive mode selected.

This is done in accordance with Bentley’s research from the last 10 years, which has seen a shift in usage of the Flying Spur – from being chauffeur-driven to self-driven vehicles.

On the outside, customers have over 60 exterior colours to choose from to complement the standard 20-inch wheels. Inside, there are five different hides available, with an additional 10, should the customer opt for the Colour Specification option.

The cabin is furnished with Crown Cut Walnut trims as standard but the highlight of which has to be the Bentley Rotating Display with three different surfaces – a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 3 analogue dials, or just a plain wood surface.

The centrepiece of the rear section is the Touch Screen Remote that’s seamlessly integrated into the rear console. Users will be able to control features like the rear seat massage, air conditioning, and even the blinds with it.

Further adding to the opulent cabin is a refrigerator wedged in between the rear seats, behind the armrest. Operating temperatures can be as low as -6 degrees, with the fridge capable of accommodating up to six 330 ml cans or two full-sized champagne bottles.

GALLERY