It could be a regular non Speed PHEV.
Bentley has elevated the Flying Spur from flagship status following the death of the Mulsanne. This is the most luxurious sedan available today, other than the Rolls Royce Phantom. It can also reach a top speed of 207mph (333 km/h), which is quite impressive considering its weight.
Bentley knows that high-end shoppers are always on the lookout for better products and are willing to pay more. This is why the Flying Spur might get the Speed treatment. This prototype may be an indication of the new go-faster version as indicated by the quad tips on the Bentayga Speed with Akrapovic exhaust.
Crewe’s luxurious 190-mph SUV and this sedan is quite different. Crewe’s Flying Spur prototype seems to be a PHEV. We know that the fuel cap on the driver’s rear fender is not the one through the owner’s W12, as the gasoline fuel cap is on its opposite side.
If the Flying Spur Speed is indeed being considered, it makes sense for Bentley that the plug-in hybrid powertrain of the Porsche Panamera Turbo S EHybrid be used. Stuttgart’s electrified sports sedan/wagon combines a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V8 and an electric motor for 671 horsepower and 627 pounds-feet (850 Newton meters) of torque. This would be a significant increase in horsepower over the W12’s 626 hp. However, the 6.0-liter produces more torque at a mountain-shaking 6,64 lb-ft (900 nm).
We are not certain that this is the Speed-spec Flying Spur, however quad exhausts can be fitted to “lesser” models such as the Continental GT with the V8. A regular plug-in hybrid Flying Spur could be in the works. It would likely have the twin-turbo, 2.9-liter V6 engine and the Panamera E-Hybrid electric motor. The combined output of the Porsche is 456 horsepower and 516 lbft (700 Nm).
No matter what, Bentley plans to diversify its Flying Spur range. The model is now the crown jewel of the range so there’s no chance of it being a distraction to the Mulsanne.