Every Flying Spur Mulliner, posses a moment of unparalleled automotive theatre. As the Bentley insignia above the front grille retracts, a meticulously polished “Flying B” bonnet mascot – the sixth and latest iteration of its design – emerges in its place.
In perfect harmony, the headlamps and the delicate, clear acrylic wings of the mascot briefly illuminate with a warm glow. This feature is standard on the Flying Spur Mulliner, but is also available as an option on all other Flying Spurs, with a 97 per cent uptake, according to the brand.
The production of this elegant theatrical moment, the “Flying B”, required the fusion of exceptional design, craftsmanship, and engineering skills. It is an integral part of Bentley’s commitment to creating unique ownership experiences through “meticulous attention to detail at every stage.”
The “Flying B” has been offered in various versions since the mid-1920s, with the current design being the sixth iteration. The “Flying B” on the latest Flying Spur is the first in Bentley’s history to be deployed electronically, the first to feature a cover plate that replaces it when stowed, the first with clear acrylic wings, and the first to be internally illuminated.
During the development of the new Flying Spur, a shortlist of candidate designs by the in-house team at Crewe was created in prototype form and presented to the Board for selection. The winning design, by Hoe Young Hwang, was the unanimous choice.
The entire creation process spans a duration of eleven weeks, after which the mascot is ready for assembly of the crystal acrylic wings, wiring, and tiny LEDs that create such a magical effect when deployed.
