Just over three years after it debuted internationally, Bentley's Continental Flying Spur has been treated to a mid-life makeover, and the nip-tuck coincides with the launch of a new range-topping 'Speed' variant.

As per the two-door Continental GT Speed (launched last year), the sedan variant gains an uprated 448kW twin-turbo W12 engine, making it the most powerful four-door model produced to date by the venerable British marque.

Inspired by Bentley's legendary Speed models that first appeared in 1923, the Flying Spur Speed serves up genuine supercar performance figures -- at least in a straight line.

Bentley quotes a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) sprint of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 320km/h -- numbers that seem almost inconceivable for a 2.5-tonne luxo-barge.

The Speed's added oomph is offset by a lowered ride height, uprated and redesigned suspension and retuned steering that's claimed to provide sharper responses. Also upgraded is the wheel-tyre package as the Flying Spur Speed rides on huge 9.5x20-inch multi-spoke alloys shod with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero UHP performance rubber.

Other visual clues that distinguish the Speed from lesser Flying Spurs include dark-tinted radiator and air intake grilles and big-bore tailpipes.

Meanwhile, the 'cooking' model Flying Spur gains a more upright grille and bolder lower air intake, and the rear bumper has also been reprofiled for "a more aggressive and sleek appearance".

The aluminium-intensive suspension of the Flying Spur features revised spring and dampers and the bespoke 19-inch Pirelli UHP tyres supposedly contribute to improved comfort and refinement.

NVH levels are also said to benefit from acoustic glazing, tri-laminate body undertrays and wheelarch liners, while the options list gains a radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control system that monitors traffic ahead and manages the throttle and brakes to maintain a pre-set time gap to the vehicle in front.

As a further option, the new 'Naim for Bentley' audio system provides what's billed as "the world's best in-car sound stage".

Designed exclusively for Bentley by Naim, the 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.

Just the thing for the 'doof-doof' brigade...

To comment on this article click here