3rd-gen Bentley Flying Spur gets four-wheel steering

Bentley has held a presentation dedicated to the upcoming third generation of its Flying Spur luxury sedan/saloon. For the first time in the history of the marque, the car comes equipped with a sophisticated all-wheel steering system. At higher speeds, the rear axle turns simultaneously with the front one for improved road stability. At lower speeds, it turns in the opposite direction for greater maneuverability.

The vehicle takes advantage of the MSB modular architecture implemented in the latest Bentley Continental GT and Porsche Panamera. The new chassis comes with an extra 130 millimeters (5 inches) of wheelbase, which translates into more legroom inside the cabin.

Compared to the previous generation, the new one sports different 21-inch wheels, chrome-coated air vents, and LED headlights.

Inside, the car houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, but you may opt for the more traditional analog cluster if you wish. Driver aids include lane control, blind spot monitor, night vision, 360-degree view cameras, and parking assistance.

The hood cover lifts to reveal an upgraded W12 monster engine rated at 635 horsepower (474 kilowatts) and 900 Nm (664 pound-feet) of torque. Linked to an eight-speed semi-automatic transmission, it takes the car from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds and up to 333 km/h (207 mph). A new torque management system normally sends the entire torque to the rear wheels, but can activate the front axle when necessary.

Photos: Bentley