Future Bentley Models

Bentley Continental Flying Spur



Essentially the four-door version of Bentley's Continental GT coupe, this nearly 5,500-pound sedan exhibits impressive agility and poise-at-the-limit that set it apart from its ultra-luxury competition. In terms of pure luxury, ride quality and presence, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur might lose some style points to its ultra-expensive competition -- but with a price tag that's more than $100,000 cheaper there are bound to be some trade-offs.
The Flying Spur combines classic British design with a decidedly Teutonic expression of logical control placement and meticulous fit and finish (courtesy of VW's ownership of Bentley). There are enough animal hides and pieces of veneered timber to serve duty in the finest English men's clubrooms…or to bring tears of protest from some environmentalists.
But escape is only a throttle press away, as the twin-turbo W12 engine's 552 horsepower can quickly haul the Spur's significant mass to a top speed of nearly 200 mph. Providing the counterweight to all this motion are huge brakes nearly 16 inches in diameter that bring the big Bentley back to rest with impressive composure.
All told, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur provides the requisite levels of high-end luxury while adding a surprising dose of on-road competence and fun, too. For the fortunate few in the market for an ultra-luxury sedan, it should prove to be an appealing combination.
Current Bentley Continental Flying Spur
The Bentley Continental Flying Spur is an ultra-luxury sedan with a high-performance orientation. It debuted as an all-new model for 2006. Naturally, standard equipment is generous. Nineteen-inch wheels; an adjustable air suspension; power front seats with heating, cooling and memory; four-zone automatic climate control; navigation; Bluetooth phone connectivity and leather everywhere are all part of the package. Options include front-seat lumbar massage, flip-down rear-seat veneer picnic tables and a full-length center console that reduces seating capacity to four. A Mulliner Driving Specification package includes special 20-inch wheels, alloy foot pedals, diamond-quilted leather and a choice of exclusive veneers. A further range of customization is provided via 17 leather color choices and an almost endless selection of exterior paints.
This hefty Bentley sedan is motivated by a twin-turbocharged version of the Volkswagen Group's W12 engine. It produces 552 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque starting at a low 1,600 rpm. Driving through a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, this sophisticated power plant hustles the Flying Spur from zero to 60 mph in a scant 4.8 seconds. There are steering-wheel paddle shifters if you're up to doing it yourself, but there's not much point, really -- they're not easy to reach or quick to shift, and they don't match engine speed when downshifting.
Blending decades of Bentley's classic design with the absolute best available materials and build quality from its parent yields an exquisitely crafted interior literally fit for royalty. Though the Flying Spur is loaded with plenty of up-to-date technology, its controls are traditionally straightforward, with well-organized buttons. The 16-way power front "thrones" are nearly perfect; however, the rear seats lack the adjustments and features available in competing sedans.
With its adjustable air suspension and sophisticated engineering, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur can float along the freeway enveloping its occupants in quiet comfort or just as easily zip through corners like a sport sedan that's half a ton lighter. In fact, in our testing it bettered the slalom speeds of the BMW 7 Series and matched the Bentley Continental GT coupe. Although hardly a sports car, the Flying Spur's steering is rock solid at speed and light when you need it to be around town -- exactly what most ultra-luxury sedan buyers are looking for.