So let’s meet the new 202mpg Bentley Flying Spur saloon. Yes, you read that right – 202 miles per gallon, not miles per hour. The top speed is in fact 177mph – as a matter of fact a little lower than some earlier versions, but plenty enough for this four or five seater. The miracle of its fuel consumption derives from its status as a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), and the rather permissive way the authorities allow the carmakers to present fuel efficiency.
In short, you can drive the Flying Spur in full zero-emission electric mode carefully for about 40 miles (real-world estimate), when it pretty much runs out of kilowatts; the 4-litre twin-turbo V8 will then take over and return, say, 32mpg. That in itself is remarkable for such a beast, with the extra battery pack helping to push the weight over 2.6 tonnes.
