The Flying Spur name came into being as the sedan (or “saloon”) version of the Bentley Continental, dating back to the 1950s. The Flying Spur became a separate model in 2014 and sees a full redesign for 2020, marking the third generation. Ultra-luxury vehicles from Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin are the Flying Spur’s main competitors.

Bentley says the Flying Spur features an all-new design, though its profile is still instantly recognizable, still elegant yet athletic. Cut-crystal-effect LED matrix lighting marks the front, along with a retractable “Flying B” hood ornament. The rear gets wraparound taillamps that incorporate a “B” shape. Wheels are available in new 21- and 22-inch styles.

The Flying Spur is now exclusively fitted with Bentley’s 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 engine, capable of 635 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, good for a top speed of 207 mph. A dual-clutch 8-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties, and an all-new active all-wheel-drive (AWD) system defaults power to the rear axle, automatically shifting some power to the front as necessary.

The cabin is as elegant as ever, featuring a new seat design with fluted leather upholstery and heating and cooling functionality, an optional panoramic glass roof, and the usual choice of wood veneers and color palettes.

The Flying Spur features the choice of a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, dial controls, or, for the tech-averse, a simple yet elegant wood veneer. Rear passengers get a touchscreen remote control to access the climate controls, massaging seats, window blinds, and ambient lighting. An integrated WiFi hotspot comes standard.

A car of this stature is not subjected to the regular crash-testing procedures of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the new Flying Spur features more safety tech than the previous model, including blind-spot monitoring, traffic assist, a night vision camera, and a head-up display.

Bentley says the new Flying Spur has “reset the boundaries,” but truth be told, it’s so far outside the mainstream that the average shopper likely won’t know the difference. Which, of course, is part of the point. It’s a beautiful status symbol, but then again, this hand-built British gem always has been.