2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid First Drive: Inching Closer to the Future

The days of the internal combustion engine are numbered at Bentley. As part of its Beyond 100 strategy, the British luxury marque plans to sell just EVs and plug-in hybrids by 2026 and become an EV-only brand four years later. Indeed, the methodical electrification of its lineup is already underway, with the Bentley Bentayga being the first Bentley to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Next up is the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid, which also gets a plug-in hybrid option that puts it close to the V-8-powered Flying Spur in terms of power and punchiness.

There are few places in the world that blend well with the Flying Spur Hybrid, but Beverly Hills, with its lavish lifestyle, green-centric mentality, and spectacular nearby roads, made it the perfect place to put the spurs to this electrified horse. We spent a full day driving from the heart of the 90210 zip code to the picturesque canyons that surround Ojai before arriving in Carpinteria, a small oceanside city located between Santa Barbara and Ventura known for its jaw-dropping views, polo club, and California easygoing way of life.

Powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine and a 100-kilowatt electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission, the Flying Spur Hybrid delivers 536 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque all in—just shy of the 542 hp and 568 lb-ft of the V-8 model. Its 18.0-kWh battery pack (there's 18.9 kWh of total battery capacity in all, with 18 kWh being useable) allows the four-door sedan to drive some 25 miles in EV mode, according to Bentley, and it takes about two and a half hours to fully charge it on a Level 2 charger, which is a relatively quick time frame. Those numbers should hit the sweet spot for many, giving them enough EV range to drive daily, while having a full gas tank at their disposal whenever they need it. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission oversees sending that power to all four wheels of the Flying Spur Hybrid's standard all-wheel-drive system.

This recipe plays well on California's roadways. The instant power delivery of the electric motor makes acceleration a breeze despite its hefty heft—roughly 5,550 pounds. Although the Flying Spur has never been about performance, it ain't a lagger. The punchiness of the electric motor and the two-cylinder delete help offset the battery's added weight and make the hybrid almost as fast as the V-8. Bentley says the plug-in hybrid can reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and estimates the V-8 can do the task just a tick quicker.

What's more, the Flying Spur Hybrid handles like a champ even on tight canyon roads. Thanks to its optimized battery weight distribution plus the incredible engineering work done to the suspension, the otherwise huge and heavy car feels remarkably settled and natural when the road turns twisty, with minimized body roll. After pushing it hard up and down several canyon roads, we didn't so much as hear a tire squeak. When the road straightened out, the Flying Spur predictably took to the asphalt with confidence and poise.

As you'd expect from a car of this class and price point, the cabin is quiet and peaceful at speed. It almost feels as if you're gliding, except there's a connection between the driver and vehicle. Almost all the potholes, ruts, and bumps were neatly absorbed by the double wishbone suspension setup in the front and multilink design at the rear. The Flying Spur Hybrid's main bones are augmented by a three-chamber air spring suspension that further elevates its elegant and comfortable ride, all while keeping its dynamic behavior competitive.

When underway, the driver can choose between three hybrid configurations—EV Mode, which relies exclusively on electric power, Hybrid Mode, which utilizes the battery and engine in concert and optimizes the overall system using data from the navigation, and Hold Mode that balances engine and electric power to conserve high-voltage battery power for later use. Hold is designed for when the driver sets up the car for Sport mode driving by optimizing boost and energy recuperation. Most of the handoffs are seamless, and you can hardly feel the engine waking up when the car switches from electric power only.

The Flying Spur Hybrid wouldn't be a Bentley if it didn't have a highly elevated attention to detail that you immediately sense from the moment you step inside. Simply put, the craftsmanship is outstanding. Our Jetstream Blue model, equipped with blue leather and red contrast stitching, made the space feel young and vibrant; the leather and seat cushioning feel soft and well padded. While the use of metal is notable, it doesn't overwhelm with glittery excess. Rather, it's the extensive use of massive wood trim pieces throughout that serve as the cabin's show-stopping feature.

There's nothing in the interior that immediately signals to you that the Flying Spur Hybrid is a Volkswagen Group product. Those with eagle eyes will see a variation of Porsche's infotainment system being utilized, but every button, materials choice, and air vent is unique to Bentley.

As in any Flying Spur, the rear seats are the best in the house. Besides having plenty of headroom and legroom, those in the back can enjoy massaging seats and can select their own configurations from a smartphone-style device that neatly stores in the center console and can also change the temperature, ambient lighting, and music. Of course, the rear seats recline, and a cushy pillow is there to support your neck and head so you can relax while you're being chauffeured to your destination.

If you'd rather take the wheel, the front seats are no slouches, either. Both the driver and front passenger also enjoy massaging seats and are treated to more than adequate space.

Those who can afford a Flying Spur Hybrid are probably not too concerned about its pricing, and so far Bentley has yet to announce it. However, we were told to expect about a 3 percent increase over the V-8 model, which starts just below $204,500 with destination. That means the Flying Spur Hybrid will start in the neighborhood of $210,000, but of course that price will climb much higher once you begin to pile on the options. Choose the extra-luxurious Mulliner trim level, and Bentley says you can customize your Flying Spur Hybrid in more than 56 billion different ways—talk about exclusivity.

In the end, the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid doesn't sacrifice performance, ride quality, or luxury on the altar of fuel economy. It's an approach that bodes well for the marque as it begins the hard work of transforming itself for the electrified road ahead.