The Last W12 Grand Tourer, 2020 Bentley Flying Spur W12

In an era of downsized engines and electrification mandates, the 2020 Bentley Flying Spur W12 stands as a magnificent anachronism. This is peak internal combustion luxury, where twelve cylinders in a unique W configuration deliver not just tremendous power, but an aural and tactile experience that no electric motor can replicate. It represents the end of an era for Bentley’s flagship sedan.

The Heart of Crewe

The Flying Spur’s 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 produces 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, figures that propel this 5,500-pound luxury liner to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. But raw performance statistics only tell part of the story. The W12’s unique architecture, essentially two narrow-angle VR6 engines mated together, creates a powerplant that’s both compact and incredibly smooth.

Fire up the engine and you’re greeted by a deep, cultured rumble that builds to a sophisticated crescendo under acceleration. This isn’t the theatrical drama of a Ferrari V12 or the thunderous assault of an American V8. Instead, it’s the automotive equivalent of a perfectly tailored Savile Row suit: understated, refined, and unmistakably expensive.

Handcrafted Excellence

Step inside the Flying Spur and you enter Bentley’s world of bespoke craftsmanship. Every surface that matters is either hand-stitched leather or genuine wood veneer, often both. The diamond-quilted seats offer infinite adjustment and can massage you through traffic while heating or cooling as needed. The dashboard’s rotating display can show either a 12.3-inch touchscreen, three analog gauges, or nothing but wood veneer for ultimate minimalism.

Bentley’s attention to detail borders on obsessive. The organ stops for the climate vents are machined from solid metal and operate with mechanical precision. The leather on the steering wheel is hand-selected from bulls raised in high altitudes to avoid insect bites that would mar the hide. Even the USB ports are hidden behind leather flaps to maintain the cabin’s aesthetic purity.

Effortless Performance

Despite its substantial mass, the Flying Spur moves with surprising agility. The adaptive air suspension and active anti-roll bars can transform this luxury sedan from a magic carpet ride to a surprisingly capable canyon carver at the touch of a button. The all-wheel-drive system can send up to 38% of power to the front wheels when grip is needed, though most of the time it operates in rear-biased mode for optimal dynamics.

The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission deserves special mention. Unlike many luxury sedans that use traditional torque converter automatics, Bentley chose a dual-clutch setup for sharper responses. Yet they’ve tuned it to shift with the smoothness expected in a car costing well over $200,000. It’s a technical tour de force that proves automated gearboxes need not sacrifice refinement for speed.

Technology Meets Tradition

The 2020 Flying Spur successfully bridges Bentley’s century-plus heritage with cutting-edge technology. The infotainment system responds quickly to inputs, navigation is intuitive, and smartphone integration works seamlessly. Yet none of this technology intrudes on the fundamental experience of piloting a hand-built British luxury sedan.

Advanced driver assistance systems handle the mundane aspects of modern driving, but they’re calibrated to intervene gently rather than aggressively. This is a car that still prioritizes the human driver’s experience over algorithmic efficiency, a philosophy that’s increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape.

The 2020 Flying Spur W12 represents the pinnacle of traditional luxury sedan engineering, combining devastating performance with unmatched craftsmanship in a package that feels both timeless and thoroughly modern. As Bentley transitions toward electrification, this may be the last of its kind, a final love letter to the golden age of internal combustion excess. For those who can afford it, no other sedan delivers this unique combination of British heritage and contemporary capability.