Bentley has opened up its doors to show exactly what goes into making its flagship model, the Flying Spur, a sartorial and elegant sedan.
Billed as the “the world’s finest four door sedan”, the Crewe-based carmaker has improved its technology and comfort, while also offering new interior veneer choices and an exterior paint choice – Cambrian Grey. Well-heeled buyers now have the choice of 63 colours.
For the model year 2022, the car’s City Specification consolidates an array of optional content and becomes part of the standard vehicle specification. These features include; Traffic sign recognition, hands free boot opening, extended safeguard features, top view camera, welcome lighting and automatic dimming mirrors, as well as the Air Ioniser.
The most significant changes to the latest generation are on the technological front, with the addition of traffic sign recognition, hands free boot opening, extended safeguard features, top view camera, welcome lighting and automatic dimming mirrors all offered as standard.
The standard air ionisers emit negatively charged particles from the central air conditioning vents, enhancing cabin air purity, Bentley says.
In the cabin, new features include the option of open-pore veneer, which is finished with an ultra-thin matt lacquer solely for protection. Liquid Amber, Dark Burr Walnut and Tamo Ash veneers are all available in an open-pore finish.
The carmaker says the veneer is selected from only the very best, most figured stock available, open-pore veneer is painted with just three ultra-thin layers of lacquer, together totalling only 0.1 mm in thickness. By comparison, Bentley’s High Gloss lacquer coating is 0.5 mm thick and has a glossy, smooth finish.
The attention to detail is remarkable, with the company claiming that each layer is applied by hand and sanded between applications, ensuring the lacquer sticks to the natural grooves of the wood.
Bentley incoporated digitalisation into its latest updates for the Flying Spur by using ‘”advanced virtual design processes in the testing and production cycles” of the model. The carmaker says these techniques are ultimately more sustainable and reducing the need to manufacture physical parts.
The automaker admitted that pinpointing unwanted cabin noise was difficult, however by leaning on Virtual Prototyping through development partner ESI Group, it allowed the third generation Flying Spur’s designers to use digital mock-ups that helped identify NVH before building a physical version of the car.
The process enabled acoustic tests for any airborne sounds filtering in to the cabin to be completed, as well as any impact from the structure itself, such as tyre noise.
Through the use of virtual prototyping, a weight optimisation programme for the Flying Spur could be undertaken on 40 different components. This ensured the correct soundproofing materials were deployed in the right locations around the vehicle to create an almost silent environment for passengers.