VS
At a Glance
Power
500 kW
450 kW
Torque
930 Nm
900 Nm
Fuel
—
14.0 l/100km
0-100 km/h
3.9 s
4.5 s
Engine
3996 cc
5980 cc
Choosing between the Bentley Flying Spur and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Bentley Flying Spur delivers 500 kW while the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class produces 450 kW. Pricing starts at R4 952 000 for the Flying Spur and R5 208 169 for the S-Class. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
500 kW
450 kW
Torque
930 Nm
900 Nm
0-100 kph
3.9 s
4.5 s
Top Speed
270 Km/h
250 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
3996 cc
5980 cc
Engine Layout
V
V
Cylinders
8
12
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
9
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
14.0 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
20.7 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
10.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 litre + 25.9 kWh l
76 l
CO2 Emissions
—
321 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5316 mm
5469 mm
Width
1987-2187 mm
1921-2109 mm
Height
1474 mm
1510 mm
Wheelbase
3194 mm
3396 mm
Kerb Weight
2646 EU Kg
2330 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
4+1 (opt 4)
4
Load Volume
346 l
470 l
Towing & Payload
Load Capacity
—
560 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
8
11
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
Optional
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
3
2
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
unlimited Km
Service Intervals
15000
service interval indicator (max 20000)
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Bentley Flying Spur
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Flying Spur
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Flying Spur
Practicality
Flying Spur
Pros & Cons
Bentley Flying Spur
More powerful engine (500 kW)
Lower starting price (R4 952 000)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (3.9 ss)
Few notable weaknesses
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (450 kW vs 500 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Flying Spur or S-Class?
The Flying Spur produces 500 kW and 930 Nm of torque while the S-Class delivers 450 kW and 900 Nm of torque. The Flying Spur is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Flying Spur and S-Class?
The Flying Spur starts from R4 952 000 and the S-Class from R5 208 169. The Flying Spur is cheaper by R256 169 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Should I buy the Flying Spur or the S-Class?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.