Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Bentley launches more affordable luxury sedan
Models pose next to the new Bentley Flying Spur V8 during a launch event at Banyan Tree in central Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of Bentley Motors
By Park Jin-hai
By Park Jin-hai
“For Flying Spur model, Bentley Korea is the top selling dealer in the worldwide,” said Tim Mackinlay, Asia Pacific regional director at Bentley Motors.
This year has been exceptionally good year for Bentley Korea as the company has sold 198 Bentleys, a 133 percent increase year-on-year, during the first eight months, he said.
“This year with the launch of this new model, we hope to increase the sales to 290 units,” he added at the launching event for its luxury sedan Flying Spur V8 at Banyan Tree in Seoul, Thursday.
The British luxury sedan is covered in silver and has a sculpted exterior. That what makes Bentley a Bentley: being “beautiful, exclusive and precise,” according to its chief designer Lee Sang-yup.
The four-door sedan shares the same 4-liter V8 engine the Bentley Continental GT V8.
Its twin-turbo engine delivers 507 horsepower and takes only 5.2 seconds to accelerate the Flying Spur V8 from 0-100 km/h. Its top speed reaches at 295 km/h. On a full tank of fuel (90 liters) it can cover up to 840 kilometers in distance.
It comes equipped with full-time all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a wealth of interior amenities, including mirror-matched wood trim pieces and lambs’ wool carpeting, as well as on-board technology including an innovative Touch Screen Remote.
“We expect the newly launched Flying Spur V8 will represent 35 to 40 percent of all our sales in the future, since it offers a more ‘affordable’ Bentley,” said an official of its Seoul office.
It expects the model will influence more Korean customers shift to the brand, rivaling German luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz S500 and S600 series and BMW 7 series.
A total of 20 customers preordered the British sedan. Its base sedan is priced at 250 million won with tax included, nearly 30 million won cheaper than the Flying Spur W12 model.