What’s better than a Bentley? A more powerful Bentley, which is exactly what attendees of October’s Paris Motor Show will get when Bentley unveils the W12 S, the newest iteration of the Flying Spur, the automaker’s main competitor to Rolls Royce’s Ghost.
A black grille joins darker taillights and rear detailing for a sleeker silhouette than prior models, and even the wheels are subtly murdered out, with black 21-inch alloy. Buyers looking to extend the ultra-modern look can also pay for an upgrade to a carbon fiber dash and door trim.
Of course, the real upgrade comes in the engine: a turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 (hence the name) that provides 605 pound-feet of torque at just 2,000 rpm and cranks out a furious 626 horses. The upgrades make this Bentley’s first ever four-door model to top 200 mph—202, to be exact—and provide enough power for a breathtaking 0 to 60 time of 4.2 seconds.
A 40:60 rear-biased torque split increases agility and cuts understeer through curves, while the Torsen all-wheel drive distributes power between the front and rear axles with an emphasis on the wheels with the most traction. And lest we gloss over Bentley’s attention to the finer details, the upholstery is hand-applied with contrast stitching—a process that takes 25 hours. Drilled foot pedals and knurled steel surfaces are also a constant reminder of the W12 S’s sporting soul, while the usual quintuple-lacquered veneer dash gives that heritage feel drivers have come to expect from a Bentley.
Pricing’s not yet available, but expect this car to inch up from the $200,000 tag on last year’s model.