There are luxury cars, and then there are Bentleys. The difference is noticeable instantly, right from the moment you set your eyes on one, given a Bentley’s stately road presence, and the moment you step inside, it’s a different world altogether. Because while most luxury car makers attempt to impress and pamper you with technology, screens and gimmicks, Bentley has always gone about things differently. The car maker aims to seduce you with its craftsmanship, tradition and a sense of occasion that few automobiles on sale today can match.
And if there’s one Bentley that perhaps best embodies those values, it’s the Flying Spur. The luxury limousine has always occupied an interesting space in the minds of luxury car buyers, especially for those wanting to make a statement. And what has always set the Flying Spur apart is that it’s always been more engaging to drive than a Rolls-Royce Ghost, more exclusive than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and always managed to blend that classic, old-world British craftsmanship with modern performance in a way only Bentley can! Now though, the Flying Spur enters a new chapter because beneath that long bonnet sits a hybrid powertrain. And if that statement sounds worrying to traditional Bentley enthusiasts, it really shouldn’t.
I can say that with conviction, having spent time driving what I think is one of the finest iterations of the Flying Spur yet, the Azure. Because this isn’t a Flying Spur that has forgotten where it comes from. In typical Bentley fashion, the design feels evolutionary, rather than revolutionary as compared to older versions. At first glance, you’ll struggle to tell this one apart from the previous version of the Flying Spur, and that’s a good thing because Bentley got the proportions spot on the first time around. The long bonnet, upright grille and muscular rear haunches continue to give the Flying Spur the kind of presence that makes other luxury sedans look understated. For the matter, the Azure, as always, is the comfort-focused member of the Flying Spur family. So while the Speed is all about performance, the Azure prioritises elegance.
Chrome detailing is used generously, while the signature grille and intricate LED headlamps ensure nobody mistakes this for anything other than a Bentley. Heck, the headlamp units look like they were designed by jewellery designers, and not automobile designers given their intricateness! I’ve also always admired how Bentley manages to make large cars look athletic. Despite stretching beyond five metres in length, the Flying Spur never feels cumbersome visually. Instead, it carries itself with the confidence of a bespoke suit tailored perfectly for its owner. And then there’s the Flying B mascot. Call me old-fashioned, but watching the illuminated Flying B rise gracefully from the bonnet remains one of the most special theatre acts in the automotive world!
Step inside and you are immediately reminded why Bentley continues to sit near the very top of the luxury car hierarchy, as the craftsmanship is extraordinary. There are luxury cars that use leather and wood. Then there are Bentleys where every piece feels handcrafted by someone who genuinely cares about their craft. The Flying Spur Azure’s cabin feels less like a car interior and more like the lounge of a private members’ club. Seats are exceptionally comfortable, and feature Bentley’s Wellness Seating technology that can adjust ventilation, heating and massage functions automatically to improve occupant comfort. Rear passengers also get a touchscreen controller that allows them to operate everything from climate functions to the blinds, reinforcing the fact that this is a car equally happy being chauffeur-driven.
One of my favourite features continues to be the optional Bentley Rotating Display. At the touch of a button, the 12.3-inch touchscreen disappears and reveals either three beautifully crafted analogue dials or a seamless veneer panel. It’s exactly the sort of wonderfully unnecessary feature that makes a Bentley feel special. Space at the rear is immense too. There’s enough legroom to stretch out comfortably, while the combination of thick carpeting, soft leather and excellent insulation makes the cabin feel almost isolated from the outside world. Another instant favourite for me in the Azure’s second row are the electrically-deployed, veneered ‘picnic’ tables that can pop out from behind the front seats at the touch of a button! It’s yet another piece of luxury inside the car that you probably don’t need, but want.
Of course, luxury alone isn’t enough anymore. Bentley understands that modern buyers also expect performance and this is where the new Flying Spur Azure surprises. Gone is the old W12 engine that defined Bentley flagships for years. In its place sits a new high performance hybrid setup that has the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 work with an electric motor to offer a combined 680PS and 930Nm. For the record, these are supercar numbers hidden beneath the body of a luxury limousine! The result is a claimed 0-100kmph time of just 3.9 seconds, which sounds a bit absurd when you consider the Flying Spur Azure weighs well over 2.6 tonnes! Yet the numbers only tell part of the story.
What impresses more is the way the Bentley delivers its performance. Acceleration is effortless rather than dramatic. There’s no violence here, no sense that the car is trying to prove something. Instead, the Flying Spur gathers speed with the sort of authority that only large-capacity engines can deliver. The electric motor fills any gaps in the power delivery beautifully, making the entire experience feel seamless. It’s the kind of car that can cruise quietly through a city centre and then demolish an open highway the moment you ask of it. On the same not, a Bentley limousine isn’t really supposed to feel agile. Yet, thanks to all-wheel steering, Bentley Dynamic Ride and the latest twin-valve dampers, the Flying Spur Azure disguises its size remarkably well.
At the same time, the ride quality remains exceptional. Broken roads are dismissed effortlessly, to ensure occupants remain cocooned from the outside world. Yet unlike some luxury sedans that float endlessly, the Flying Spur retains enough body control to make spirited driving rewarding. It’s a balance Bentley has been perfecting for decades, and the Flying Spur Azure may well be one of its finest executions yet. The transition to electrification often comes with concerns about losing character, but thankfully, the Flying Spur proves that doesn’t have to always be the case.
It still feels every bit like a Bentley. It’s still immensely luxurious, effortlessly fast and beautifully crafted. More importantly, it continues to occupy a sweet spot few luxury cars can match. Because while many buyers will spend their time relaxing in the rear seat, the Flying Spur Azure remains one of the rare ultra-luxury sedans that makes you want to get behind the wheel yourself. And in a world increasingly obsessed with screens, software and autonomous driving, that feels refreshingly old-school. Exactly as a Bentley should.
Words Abhay Verma
Photography Saidatta Naik
