Bentley has a history of producing business class airliners for the road in a tedious, atelier-style fashion fit for the noblest and wealthiest modern corporate aristocracy. In an era when the jet-set crowd is piloting eco-friendly hybrids and waxing lyrical about fuel efficiency comes the grand entrance of the pomp and circumstance-worthy Flying Spur Speed—the fastest, most powerful, most expensive four-door production Bentley ever made.

Understated yet dignified exterior design

Although it’s hand-made like Bentleys of old, the Flying Spur Speed is crafted in high-gloss carbon fiber with one of two specifications: Styling and Blackline. According to a Bentley press release, the Styling Specification features a carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts with metallic Bentley badges, a rear diffuser, and a slim trunk-mounted spoiler.

The Blackline Specification provides a contemporary alternative where most chromed exterior touches like the Flying “B” ornament, matrix grilles, vents, and door handles are swapped for darkened, distinguished Blackware for a more sinister look.

The Flying Spur Speed also gets signature “Speed” badges on the lower wings and a choice of 22-inch Speed wheels in varying grayscale motifs or 22-inch sports alloy wheels as an optional extra in either gloss black or pale Brodgar satin finish. Even under the hood is bedazzled, as the new Speed variant showcases jewel-topped fuel and oil filler caps to add an expensive touch of exclusivity.

Performance to match the lavishness

What makes the Bentley Flying Spur Speed even more exclusive is that it’s the last version of the four-door grand tourer to get the iconic 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine, as the standard Flying Spur W12 was discontinued in May. With 84 hp and 96 lb-ft of torque more than the “S” version’s 4.0-liter V8, the Flying Spur Speed’s 626 hp and 664 on-ft of torque are offered on a silver platter.

Although it weighs 2.8 tons and is six inches wider than Chevrolet Suburban, the Flying Spur Speed has the athleticism to sprint from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds to a genuinely astonishing top speed of 207 mph, making it the fastest sedan ever. Yet, these numbers aren’t for your chauffeur to show off in the valet lot. The Flying Spur Speed is decidedly a driver’s car.

Mechanically related to the exceptional Continental GT coupe, Bentley has fine-tuned the suspension and steering setups. Now, the Flying Spur Speed comes equipped with all-wheel steering, torque vectoring by brake, and Bentley Dynamic Ride to electronically alter anti-roll bar stiffness on the fly to handle the planetary forces generated by its girth in the bends.

To stop the behemoth, the Flying Spur Speed also gets 16.54-inch disk brakes in the front, the largest steel brakes ever fitted to a production car, which come embossed with subtle Bentley branding. But the Flying Spur Speed isn’t just an energetic, agile, road-going battlecruiser; it has all the plushness, gadgetry, and exotic trimmings that any Bentley owner expects.

Decadent interior with modern touches

While the Breitling Mulliner Tourbillon clock is an option for Bentley’s Bentayga SUV, the Flying Spur Speed ditches conventionality and features a fully-digital infotainment unit inspired by luxury chronograph watches. Indulgent standard features also include a 24-way adjustment for the front seats and a 14-way adjustment for the rear seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and two memory positions. Boasting extra intricacies, Bentley has equipped the Flying Spur Speed with aluminum sports pedals with “Speed” badges and illuminated “Speed” inner and outer tread plates.

Considering Bentleys are usually chock full of expensive exotic materials, the Flying Spur Speed is no different. Bentley has extensively used Dinamica Pure, a 73 percent recycled polyester textile, for the touchpoints. Nevertheless, more traditional materials are used in the cabin apart from the standard piano black veneer. Buyers can opt for dark-stained Burr Walnut, Crown Cut Walnut, or Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus as no-cost alternatives.

How much will the Bentley Flying Spur Speed cost?

The Flying Spur Speed completes Bentley’s opulent model range as it was the only offering that didn’t include a Speed version, and the company says that one in three Flying Spurs in the U.S. and Europe are expected to be the Speed.

Pricing has yet to be revealed, but it’s likely to be as extravagant as its looks. According to Bentley Newport Beach, the base “S” model is north of $200,000, and buyers can option those with well over $100,000 in additional amenities. According to Bentley Newport Beach, the Speed version is at least $80,000 for the Continental GT and Bentayga; therefore, the Flying Spur Speed will most likely be in the $300,000 range.