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More refinement, more comfort, more personalisation — the new Bentley Continental Flying Spur is more of the same.

But the 12-cylinder luxury saloon will also be joined by the 447kW Continental Flying Spur Speed: the most powerful four-door car ever produced by the British manufacturer.

The instantly recognisable style of the Flying Spur undergoes a subtle evolution with changes to the front and rear design. The new, more upright grille and bolder lower air intake accentuate the distinctive Bentley profile, while the new rear bumper delivers a more aggressive and sleek appearance.

A range of noise-absorbent measures including acoustic glazing, tri-laminate body undertrays and wheelarch liners improve cabin refinement.

There's an enhanced choice of crafted wood marquetry and chrome inlays. In addition, seat piping, a traditional Bentley feature, is introduced on Flying Spur together with two new hide colours. Three new colours and four duo-tone paint combinations are added to the exterior paint palette.

The new Flying Spur may now be specified with a sophisticated follow-to-stop, radar-based "Adaptive Cruise Control" system, which monitors traffic ahead and manages the throttle and brakes to maintain a pre-set time gap, up to a driver selected set speed.

As a further option, the new Naim for Bentley audio system features an 1100 Watt amplifier, the most powerful unit offered in a production car, and 15 custom-built Naim speakers, including dual Naim sub-woofers. The next-generation Digital Signal Processor further enhances the listening experience.

The aluminium-intensive suspension of the Flying Spur features revised spring and dampers and a new bespoke 19-inch Pirelli UHP tyre for better levels of ride quality, comfort and refinement.

Speed racer

The Flying Spur Speed unleashes the same performance and levels of driver engagement as the Continental GT Speed. Inspired by Bentley's 'Speed' models that first appeared in 1923, the Flying Spur Speed offers a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 320km/h.

A lowered ride height, uprated and redesigned suspension as well as retuned steering boost agility and body control. Grip comes from the unique 9.5Jx20 multi-spoke alloy wheels with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero UHP performance tyres.

The Flying Spur Speed is distinguished by subtle design cues which emphasise its performance credentials, including dark-tinted radiator and air intake grilles, wider rifled exhaust tail pipes and unique 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen explains the rationale behind the new range: "The global success of the Continental Flying Spur has created a new generation of Bentley owners. Responding to their feedback, we have refined an already remarkable car and with the debut of the Flying Spur Speed we are extending its appeal."