Ah, Bentley. The purveyor of all things automotive luxury is at it again. As if coming out with a treasure trove of special-edition and one-off spectacles isn’t enough, the British luxury brand is sprucing up the Flying Spur with a new Design Series line meant to give the luxury sedan the proper limited-edition send-off ahead of the next-generation model’s arrival. Needless to say, anything Bentley does with the words “special edition” on it comes with the involvement of Mulliner, the automaker’s very own personalization department that also happens to be responsible for some of the most incredible Bentleys we’ve seen in a while.

The new Flying Spur Design Series certainly fits in with its exclusive-packed peers, thanks in large part to an extensive list of cosmetic add-ons that injects some life back to the current-generation Flying Spur before the car makes its proper send-off. And since Mulliner is in charge of putting the Flying Spur Design Series together, it goes without saying that customers should prepare for something out of the ordinary. Exclusive colors? Yes. New wheels? Right on that too. How about a carbon-fiber and titanium cabin? On that last bit, let's just say that we'll leave it to Bentley and Mulliner to make that happen.

Continue after the jump to read more about the Bentley Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner.

What makes the Bentley Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner special

The aesthetically-inclined will appreciate Bentley and Mulliner’s work on the Flying Spur, especially since the Design Series is available on all trim levels of the luxury sedan, be it the V8, V8 S, W12, or the range-topping W12 S. Off the bat, the choice of five body colors provide customers a chance to really set themselves apart with the special edition sedan. The colors themselves are aptly named too. There’s Azure Purple, Pillar Box Red, White, Kingfisher, and the curiously-named Mandarin. Those who opt to avail of the Design Series treatment on the V8 S and W12 S versions of the Flying Spur will also get color embellishments along one edge of the lower front grille, properly completing the choice of colors that they end up getting. Likewise, the W12 S Flying Spur variant also stands to get a set of 21-inch six twin-spoke wheels finished in a nice deep shade of glossy black.

Step inside the cabin of the Flying Spur and the first thing that’ll greet you is what Mulliner describes as a “ring of color.” Evidently, the chosen accent color also flows seamlessly inside, from the lower wings of the center console right into the sedan’s doors. The use of vibrant colors plays really well with the Piano Black finish on the center console, creating a dramatic two-tone finish that exudes class and flash all at the same time. As a final touch, the chosen accent color also makes an appearance on the steering wheel as a stripe on the 12 o’clock position and on the perforations that can be found on the seat centers. Bespoke treadplates are another unique addition to the Design Series. These treadplates are finished in the chosen accent color and come adorned with illuminated “Mulliner” lettering.

As enticing as all of these features sound, none are as significant as Bentley’s use of a “titanium-enriched” carbon on the front fascia panel and the waist walls. I for one can’t even begin to describe what that looks like, but according to Mulliner, the treatment is not only inspired by the world of aviation, but more importantly, it’s the first time such an application was used on a car. I suppose we’ll just have to take Mulliner’s word for it.

The last bit of important detail is the engine upgrade. Oh, wait. There isn’t one. Yes, Mulliner is as awesome as its reputation says it is. Sadly, even such awesome reputations doesn’t give it the authority to make any engine upgrades to a car it designs, at least unless Bentley says otherwise. It’s not the case here though so don’t expect any extra horses to come out of the Flying Spur’s engine options, be it the smaller 4.0-liter V-8 or the much bigger 6.0-liter W-12 engine. The V-8-powered Flying Spur now produces 521 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque while the W-12 model receives 616 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.

Do check out the difference between the two Flying Spur versions in the table below.

Bentley has said that Mulliner only plans to build 100 units of the Flying Spur Design Series. Best hurry up then because it’s not going to be long before all 100 units are accounted for. Unfortunately, the cost of availing the Design Series treatment has not yet been revealed. Expect it to be significant enough to come as a hefty addition to the overall price of the luxury sedan. The Flying Spur V8 S, for example, starts at $206,725 while the range-topping W12 S is priced from $244,500.

How does the Bentley Flying Spur Design Series compare to other special edition Flying Spurs created by Mulliner in the past?

If there’s one thing we’ve come to know about Mulliner, it’s that tastes and preferences differ from one creation to another. Some might be intrigued at what the Design Series has to offer. Some might not like it. Others may prefer something along the lines of the Flying Spur GQ Korea Edition that Mulliner and  Korean designer Sang Yup Lee designed in 2016.

The South Korea-exclusive Bentley Flying Spur features its own two-tone finish made up of Magnetic of Onyx. Move inside and the exclusive touches bombard you like nobody’s business. There’s the center console and rear center console that comes with Mulliner’s quilt pattern. There’s also a door that slides rearward to reveal a small storage area that itself is lined with a Mandarin-colored material and can store items like watches and cufflinks. There’s even a veneered tissue holder and a set of pillows made out of Burnt Oak and Saddle hide, ensuring that the car’s level of exclusivity is dialed up to 11.

note: photo of the Bentley Flying Spur GQ Korea Edition by Mulliner

Unfortunately, the Flying Spur GQ Edition was prepared to be a Korea-exclusive so unless someone decides to buy it and pay for all the cursory taxes and fees that come with such a purchase. The good news is that Mulliner isn’t limited to just a few exclusive Flying Spur models. It’s also presented works like the this interpretation of the same luxury sedan back in 2016. No work was done on the Flying Spur’s exterior because all the attention was placed on the car’s cabin. That appears in various interior features of the luxury sedan, ranging from expected add-ons like the signature quilting on the center console, seat bolsters, and door panels to the truly outlandish. Care for a sterling silver atomizer? Mulliner can install one in the rear door trim of the Flying Spur. How does a a refrigerated compartment behind that center seat sound? Mulliner can also do that provided a customer wants to have one installed. The compartment can be used for a variety of functions, the most obvious of which is to help stow items like an “everyday” champagne bottle, a bottle stopper, and a pair of bespoke champagne flutes that were designed specifically to take inspiration from the wheels of the special edition luxury sedan.

note: photo of the Bentley Flying Spur by Mulliner.