Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid first Drive: Serving Electric Feels

The 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid photographed in Ojai, California, January 2022.

No one forgets their first ride in a Bentley. before I get into my thoughts on the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid — the BRAND’S FIRST significant plug-in hybrid SEDAN and how it measures up— I offer context on the complex array of emotions provoked by Bentley driving. It's forever surreal to get the keys to a handmade car build by the century old British carmaker.

The 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid interior.

My first Bentley drive was back in 2004, when I was still a fairly green automotive writer, unspoiled, unjaded, and thrilled to be doing this work. I was paid at market rate for print journalism — essentially what freelance writers still make today — but definitely not well enough to afford a Bentley. Despite all the perks of the new beat, I took my journalism seriously. I knew that I had to use my imagination to put myself in the shoes of the potential Bentley buyer that might read my copy, a fact for any journalist reviewing super cars not born into a substantial trust.

The author in an open cockpit plane in 2004.

BENTLEY, WAY BACK WHEN

I traveled to Switzerland where Bentley’s timepiece partner Breitling was headquartered in a town at the foot of the Jura Mountains. I stayed in a nearby marvelous Swiss chalet. It wasn’t all rich. I took risks to play the part of brave car journalist: I flew in an open cockpit plane, as the pilot performed loop-de-loops in the sky. Terrifying. I boarded a Howard Hughes era Lockheed Constellation jet, along with another emerging auto writer who also happened to be a pilot and aviation expert, who imparted the significance of that plane. To this day, the writer reminds me that I also wing walked on that trip, a memory I have basically blocked from my psyche, because I am utterly afraid of heights. All of this performative pomp was on the automaker’s dime, designed to underscore the fact that Bentley has serious historical luxury roots that intersect with aviation and Swiss watchmaking that dates back to 1919. My main purpose for that trip was to drive the first-generation Bentley Continental GT, a car that would begin the gradual uptick in the number of cars that the onetime coach builder aimed produce.

When it was time to drive, the mountain air was morning crisp and the late spring green foliage fresh from rain. I climbed in the driver’s seat, inhaling the scent of the newly tanned leather and varnished wood. Back then there was no infotainment system, only a 6-disc CD player and rudimentary navigation. My first Bentley driving partner was Derek Bell, five-time champion of the 24 Hours of Lemans, who guided me on the finer points of gaining speed up the mountains. No pressure. My heart beat from the thrill of it all, and the deep anxiety that I would do something to mess up that valuable car. It was the first time I had ever driven a car with a massive V12 engine that produced ample amounts of power to push the 5000+ pound car around. These were the pre-Tesla days and the tax of making this power meant the car earned an abysmal fuel economy rating at 11 miles per gallon in city conditions, equivalent of a giant SUV from that era. There was a roar at the tap of the toe on the massive engine, all part of the overly indulgent 2003 super luxe experience. Looking back, I was invited on this memorable boondoggle because I wrote for pop culture and luxury magazines, where Bentley sought to get the word out as its sales goals became more ambitious under the Volkswagen group umbrella. The plan to go big worked for Bentley: GT gained clout as the hip and sporty super car that attracted icons from Jennifer Lopez to Eva Longoria, and meant that operation grew in size and scale.

The author riding in a classic Bentley at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

A BIG MOMENT FOR BENTLEY

Now 17 years later, I’m no longer green or brand new to Bentley. Bentley sales have grown from 1017 cars in 2003 to 14,659 in 2021. I’ve driven most of the modern models made at the Crewe factory, which I have visited several times. I’ve chauffeured two babies in Bentley car seats, and ridden in a few classic models along the way. These experiences never get old: Bentley driving still feels like an event. At last we come to the drive of the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid, another critical moment in Bentley’s long history.

Bentley is seeking a new kind of credibility for its impressive engineering in its signature sedan, a nameplate that dates back to 1959. Speed and power are still crucial factors for curb appeal of its sedan hybrid — and its all there as the Flying Spur Hybrid clocks 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 177 mph. But now its fuel economy and charging time are also relevant to its sales pitch. It earns 25 of electric miles and takes 2 1/2 hours of charging to get there. Its not the most efficient battery-powered vehicle on the market, but there’s the caveat when it comes to judging plug-in hybrids: two-dozen miles of range is often enough power for the average daily driver.

Yet why all the fuss for a car that’s not a full EV? Because this hybrid is a crucial stepping stone in shifting ideas around the definition of future super cars. Only a few short years ago, Bentley owners weren’t all that interested in electrification, and the market goes as the market demands. But now Bentley has committed to reaching an all-electric strategy by 2030, and says that data shows its customers are coming around. It’s time for this significant shift just as Bentley is at the top of its game. Last year the company booked record sales, due the desire for material purchases by the super wealthy in pandemic times. (Rolls-Royce, its chief competition saw similar gains of 50%. Go figure.) In addition to the Flying Spur sedans, Bentley makes the Continental GT and the Bentayga SUV in various configurations. Technically, the Bentayga was introduced as its first hybrid, but with significant limitations; it offers max 18 miles of plug-in range and requires significant charging time to get there. The Flying Spur sedan is the signature Bentley and what matters for the brand DNA moving forward.

The author and the azure Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid.

DRIVING BENTLEY, 2022 STYLE

Last week I spent the day driving in southern California with another journalist in a delightfully conspicuous Azure Purple Flying Spur Hybrid. As a Prince lover, and the mother of a five-year-old who lives for sparkles, I felt great about the flashy hue, a deep purple. The point of super car driving is to stick out.

But inside of Flying Spur is where it’s at, all those hand stitched seats and finely sourced woods make the passengers feel money, money, money. Why not upgrade to the 12.3 inch infortainment to the $6,490 Bentley Rotating Display? For Bentley buyers, its all about the splurge.

The actual drive passes the super car test —what I call the ride and glide experience. This is the point of the test drive when I look down and realize how fast I’m actually driving, and then realize how I’m well over the speed limit. That’s how I know a car is essentially capable and a confident handler, in addition to all the technical details that need to be considered.

And yes, for those that want to get highly technical on every blip, dip, and zip of the new engine, maybe there’s big feelings about the move to the smaller V6 engine from those massive engines of yesteryear. But I say that getting to technical on this particular Bentley misses the point. It’s designed to be a subtle compromise, and in that it checks all the boxes. Bentley gently encourages electric drive mode to its passengers, as “EV Drive” is the default setting when the car starts, but can be switched to Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode during the trips. There was nothing harsh that stood out about toggling through engine modes. The smooth maneuvering I remembered from my last Flying Spur outing seemed familiar.

So what’s big difference? Look close and you might catch the “Hybrid” badging on the front fender and a cloaked universal charging point on the left hand rear fender. Nav was a bit persnickety for some of our waypoints, but this could have more to do with how the system was programmed for our route. The cabin was extra quiet, due to that hybrid engine.

How will I feel about this latest Bentley ride if I’m still here looking back in 2039? It’s my guess, that I’ll remember a decadent day drive as one in a long line of memorable moments in a Bentley. Until then, the Flying Spur Hybrid is a well-rounded warmup for what’s to come.