Bentley unveils one-off Flying Spur ‘Reindeer Eight’ edition

Updated Dec 24, 2020 | Same topic: Tuning & Mods

What Santa’s upgraded sleigh ride could look like.

Much of the year has been challenging to say the least, but apparently not enough to dampen the holiday mood for most people. One carmaker has thought of giving back to the one person who has been the traditional symbol of generosity for the season – even if it is in good fun.

Bentley Flying Spur Reindeer Eight right sid

Bentley Mulliner is bringing holiday cheers on wheels with the Flying Spur Reindeer Eight

What you see here is the Bentley Flying Spur, the particular example being decked out in ‘Reindeer Eight’ trim. That’s courtesy of the British marque’s Mulliner coachworks division, and the exercise was meant to illustrate what if jolly ol’ Saint Nick – Santa Claus – were to commission a modern upgrade to his usual sleigh.

Outside, the special Flying Spur sports a decidedly festive look, dominated by the Cricket Bauble paint job’s deep red on top of a diamond pattern. Inspired by Cricket Ball, it’s a unique color created exclusively for Bentley’s scarlet-clad client, and is only one of 62 available shades under the brand’s Extended Range line.

Bentley Flying Spur Reindeer Eight profile

The personalized license plate is a nice touch

As on other Flying Spurs, the wide grille continues to be flanked by signature round external lighting. There is however one small yet important distinction, as the winged ‘Flying B’ hood ornament has been replaced by a 3D printed reindeer rendered in gold. It’s likely a small concession (or consolation) Santa had to make for his four-legged posse, since his ride now relies on horsepower rather than reindeer pull.

Gold trim figures prominently around the shell, from the hood strip to the ‘Reindeer Eight’ badges adorning the front fenders. Even the wheels gleam with gold, a set of 22-inch Mulliner Driving Specification alloys accompanied by a diamond finish and wrapped in all-season tires. The car also has touches of carbon fiber, from the front and rear diffusers to the door sills, even the trunk spoiler.   

Bentley Flying Spur Reindeer Eight C-pillar

Minus the Yuletide trimmings, this is still very much a Flying Spur

The holiday theme continues inside the cabin, which is a sea of red leather including the dashboard and door panels. The twin-flute designed seats feature gold contrast stitching numbering at 11,100 (count ‘em). In case there’s any doubt as to who the intended occupants of the Reindeer Eight are, the names of Santa and his wife are embroidered onto the seats.

While hubby is preoccupied with the car’s three analog dials on the instrument panel just beyond the leather-clad steering wheel, Mrs. Claus sits facing a Grand Black veneer display, with an outline of the Arctic locale the couple calls home. Between them lies the Bentley Rotating Display that shows a 12.3-inch touchscreen, but not before greeting users with the sounds of sleigh bells jingling.

Probably a low-key guilt trip for retiring Rudolph and company this close to the big day. Of course, Santa would need his ‘Naughty’ and ‘Nice’ list, now integrated into the navigation system.

>>> Related: Santa’s sleigh gets upgraded for this year’s Christmas

Bentley Flying Spur Reindeer Eight interior

Santa exchanges the usual open-air flight for modern conveniences

The Reindeer Eight still uses a standard 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, setting off Father Christmas on his gift-giving chores with 550 hp and 770 Nm of torque. Easier than pulling leather reins is engaging the 8-speed automatic gearbox, enough to launch the car from zero to 100 km/h in a little over four seconds with a top speed of 318 km/h.

As the Flying Spur Reindeer Eight is a one-off, Bentley hasn’t quoted any price figures yet. but it’s safe to say that the car, in all its Bentley Mulliner glory, is ho-ho-holy crap expensive.

We take you to see more awe-inspiring automotive examples at Philkotse.com.

Know more about Bentley Flying Spur 2024

Bentley Flying Spur

The Flying Spur of the Bentley line expresses the Bentley tradition that speaks of excellence in all aspects and performance. It is considered a four-door limousine. From the interior, a polished veneer is used while towards the exterior you can find subtle designs using aluminum. Despite the latest equipment used on a Flying Spur, the use of wood and leather gives it the Bentley trademark. It has a 6.0 L W12 engine that can get the Flying Spur from 0-1,000 kph in less than 4.3 seconds. A speed of 200mph is possible with its all-wheel grip. It has a soundproof floor and doors making the ambience inside as calm as it can get. You can enjoy not only a fast and powerful limousine but also the Flying Spur, which offers luxury and the ultimate driving/riding experience. When it comes to technology, the Flying Spur incorporated the My Bentley Connected Car technology. This allows one to create their own journey. If you want something out of the ordinary, something powerful, something active, something modern then the four-door Grand Tourer is the car that you need.

>>> New and used Bentley Flying Spur 2024 for sale in the Philippines

Bentley Flying Spur Launch

The third generation of Bentley’s Flying Spur is longer and more luxurious than its predecessor. It was expected to gather orders in 2019 during the Fall as the Flying Spur models are arriving in early 2020 for dealerships. To provide each rider with his preferred color, the Flying Spur comes in 30 color choices 17 interior leather choices, and eight veneers for interiors.

The Bentley Flying Spur W12 brings 612 bhp and 590 lb torque. It also features new 22-inch and 21-inch wheel designs. A new interior finish and an updated cabin with the latest steering wheel design. It has a standard wi-fi hotspot system. Prices are yet to be revealed considering the latest facelifts.

The all-new Flying Spur is both intimidating and beautiful.

Bentley Flying Spur Exterior

The Flying Spur has a bold and modern design. It has sharp lines, shaped form, and well-balanced proportions mixed in order to create a strong presence. The Flying Spur has its own personality with details like the latest vertical vane matrix grille, headlights, a 21-inch double ten-spoke wheel, and a Flying B mascot.

Bentley Flying Spur front

It has 17 exterior paint colors, lower bumper grilles, and an exterior badge, the Black ‘B’, the W12 Fender badge. It has a full LED matrix headlight, full LED taillights, and a double oval stainless-steel tailpipe.

Bentley Flying Spur side

Bentley Flying Spur rear

Bentley Flying Spur Interior

Patience is the key in order for you to succeed as part of the Bentley’s assembly team. This is what a Crewe factory worker can say especially when creating the latest Flying Spur. The Flying Spur is the most advanced car that Bentley created and placed on the market. Every single Flying Spur went through 84 stages of assembly with 200 workers.

Bentley Flying Spur seats

The interior is made of leather. Every interior is made up of 350 individual pieces of leather stitched together. It will require three kilometers of thread for every interior. It will take about 141 people working in 14 interior leather colors and 13 thread colors that clients can choose. In case a client prefers an embroidered headrest, then it will require 5,103 stitches that workers have to work on.

For the four seats, it will take 12 hours to assemble by hand. Working on a steering wheel will take three and a half hours to finish. Workers are required to take five months of training for them to be experts in the craft and to be employed at the Bentley Interiors.

Technology & Safety Features

For the tech features of a Bentley Flying Spur, My Bentley Connected Car includes Apple CarPlay, satellite maps, and My Car Status are available. An intelligent safety system provides confidence while on the road. The LED matrix headlights instantly open a hole into the full beam every time a vehicle approaches. This will keep other drivers from dazzling. Infrared monitoring is used on the night vision camera to keep you aware of the pedestrians or animals crossing even at a distance of 300 meters. For safe urban driving, the City Specification includes a pedestrian warning, top view camera, and traffic sign recognition.

Bentley Flying Spur dashboard

Together with Flying Spur’s tech features are a number of safety features in order to provide protection to drivers and passengers. This sedan has a strong body structure with an electronic system that adjusts the pressure on the shock absorber for a smooth ride. It has a self-leveling air suspension, controlled by a computer for a stable and controlled vehicle. Other safety features include an electronic park brake and a brake system with an Electronic Stability Programme or ESP. Anti-lock braking System or ABS, Electonic Brake Force Distribution or EBFD, Hydraulic Brake Assist or ABS, Drag Torque Control (MSR), and Aquaplane detection are included.

For the lighting, the Flying Spur has a twilight sensor control and tunnel detection. A park distance control can be viewed on the infotainment screen and it comes with an audible warning. Driver and passenger airbags are available for safety.

Platform & Chassis

The platform of a Bentley Flying Spur is the same as the one on a Porsche. Its platform falls under the Volkswagen Group MSB which is related to a Bentley Continental GT Porsche Panamera (LWB). It has an advanced aluminum and mixed chassis. The Bentley Flying Spur is a technological masterpiece.

The Flying Spur’s variant is the W12. It shares a Volkswagen Group D platform.

Engine & Drivetrain

For the engine, the Flying Spur is an eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive, and double turbocharged 626-hp W12 engine. Flying Spur gives credit to its adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering system for its agility. For the drivetrain, it is a turbocharged 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine with 626 horsepower coupled to its transmission. The compression ratio is 9.0, maximum power is 635 PS or 626 bhp or 467 kW at 6,000 rpm with maximum torque of 820Nm or 604 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm.

Bentley Flying Spur 2024 Price List

 Variants Price
Bentley Flying Spur W12 PRICE ON REQUEST
Bentley Flying Spur V8 PRICE ON REQUEST

Price available upon request

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Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

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