In case it wasn't clear from the last batch of spy shots, Bentley looks to be hard at work preparing the Flying Spur sedan version of its new Continental. That prototype reportedly packed the British marque's signature W12 engine, but this one appears to be powered by the new V8 co-developed with Audi. Identified by its figure-eight exhaust tips, the 500-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 has already been installed in the new Continental GT coupe and GTC drop-top.

The lighter-weight, yet still plenty potent engine is fully expected to be offered in the four-door Flying Spur as well, alongside the heavier, more powerful W12 version, when it hits the market late in 2013 or early 2014. The new Flying Spur looks set to adopt all of the updates applied to the new Continental family, including a more upright grille, redesigned bumpers and new front and rear lights. The ungainly roofline of the previous model appears to have been smoothed out as well for the new Flying Spur, which ought to help solidify its standing and increase its market share as the benchmark ultra-luxury sedan.