Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today
An overwhelming response for blacked-out looks makes Bentley embrace the dark side of the Flying Spur Mulliner.
The "blacked-out" theme among cars is getting quite famous out there. And Bentley has also decided to expand on its "dark" portfolio with a Blackline Specification for the 2023 Flying Spur Mulliner. This comes after an overwhelming response to the Blackline appearance package on the Continental GT that was introduced in early 2022. In fact, one in five Continental GTs sold today comes with a dark side.
And that is the perfect reason for Bentley to expand its Blackline model range. Most of the changes to the Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline are confined to the exterior. All the shiny chrome bits have been blacked out, including the grille, mirror covers, and even the hood ornament. As for the interior and powertrain options, things remain unchanged as compared to the standard Flying Spur Mulliner.
The Flying Spur took this "dark" turn, rather silently at the Monterey Car Week 2022. The Blackline Specification will be offered with all the color options of the Flying Spur Mulliner, and we bet that it will look sick in all those shades. Finally, the world is giving importance to people who don't love chrome!
Prices for the 2023 Bentley Flying Spur Blackline are not out yet, but we expect it to carry a bump over the standard Mulliner. The only competition that vibes similar to this Bentley is the gothic Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost. As the spec sheet hasn't changed, the Flying Spur Blackline continues to lock horns with the likes of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and Ferrari Roma.
An overwhelming response for blacked-out looks makes Bentley embrace the dark side of the Flying Spur Mulliner.
All the changes that come with the Blackline appearance package for the Flying Spur are confined to the exterior. More precisely, all the chrome or shiny trimmings are now given a shade of black. And it is not entirely an all-black theme, as there are bits of silver elements across the body.
The headlight trims, mirror caps, and door and windows trimmings are all painted in black here. The front grille gets a fusion of black and elementary chrome. The case is similar to those gorgeous 22-inch wheels (which come in as a bespoke addition to the Blackline package).
These wheels get an equal dosage of black and chrome and look quite cool and refreshing. None of the black elements are matte in nature and the glossy finish does go well with the overall shine of this ornament-on-wheels. Even the iconic hood ornament on the Bentley Flying Spur Blackline Specification is black with silver wings.
The images showcased here use the Heather configuration that flaunts Tanzanite Purple shade on the exterior. Bentley has modified the Flying Spur's dark visual appeal in such a way that it goes well with all the exterior shades on offer - Alpine Green (from Sienna), Black Velvet (from Flare), and Light Windsor Blue by Mulliner (from Ascot).
Related: This All-Black Mercedes-Maybach GLS Goes Rogue, Courtesy Larte Design
There are no tweaks to the interior of the 2023 Flying Spur Mulliner. The Blackline package-equipped models continue to flaunt an interior layout with insane modification potential from the factory.
All four factory packages are retained here and offer the finest leather upholstery and trimmings in various dual-tone shades, each of which consists of five varying shades that go together to form a unity in luxury, comfort, and technology.
And as always, the second-row seats are where things get seriously comfy. While the stock layout is already overwhelming and plentiful, we would have loved Bentley to seep in a bit of the dark side in the cabin, most likely confine it to door sills or even unique trims on the dashboard or center console.
Related: The Continental GT Mulliner Is The Meanest Two-Door Grand Tourer From Bentley
There are no changes to the flexible powertrain options in the Flying Spur Blackline models. Bentley offers three engine options here. The standard engine is a tried-and-tested 4.0-Liter twin-turbo V8 that pumps out 550hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. This motor helps the Flying Spur do 0-60 mph in flat 4 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph. Next up is the famed 6.0-Liter twin-turbo W12 that churns out 634 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque.
This wicked motor charges the Flying Spur from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and is capable of doing 207 mph. Then we have the newest and the most fuel-efficient of the lot, a 2.9-Liter plug-in hybrid. This motor churns out a healthy 543 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph. The Blackline package is available for all these engine options.
Related: Beyond Just Comfort: A Closer Look At The Bentley Bentayga EWB Airline-Seats
Until now, all-black themes on cars were defined as a sporty makeover. But with luxury makers chiming in to showcase and flaunt blacked-out specimens of their offerings, we are now seeing a more plush and majestic side of being sinister.
The Flying Spur with Blackline Specification might not be the most indulging "dark side" approach among automobiles, but Bentley has done a soothing job of balancing sportiness and luxury appeal, in its top-of-the-line offering.
Tijo is an engineer, mechanic, and an avid content creator. He is a grease-monkey who loves tinkering with automobiles every now and then, when not busy penning down his passion for them. He has always had a soft spot for JDM and is keen on diving deep in for anything that involves wheels and engines.