Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Ernest McManaway takes a first look at the Coupé's four-door counterpart.
Bentley Continental Flying Spur
I recently attended a “get to know you” reception at the local Bentley dealer here in Central Florida. The star attraction was a magnificent blue Flying Spur.
Let’s clear up something from the outset, Clarkson will hate it. More on that later.
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The car certainly has presence. Based on the same platform as the Continental GT (the VW Phaeton platform) and using the same 6-litre, 552 horsepower bi-turbo, one would think that the car would just look like a stretched Conti. I am happy to report, that although the family resemblance is there, the Flying Spur was crafted with its own look in mind.
That look is one of elegant sportiness. This would be, as many Bentleys have been, for the petrolhead that has made good in life, is heading toward retirement, but can’t be bothered with the obligatory driver and prefers to rely on himself. The rear seat is roomy and fairly well appointed, not that any owner will be spending any amount of time there.
No, the owner would be up front having his backside massaged by the built-in seat massager (no kidding) while choosing between the various options for shifting gears -- full auto, paddle shift or touchtronic style. The cockpit features easy to reach controls, an information centre screen bang in front of you in the dash, and of course navi-audio-video controls in the centre console pillar.
As the few flaws, Bentley should choose between brushed aluminium or chrome. The two don’t match well, especially in the case of the aluminium gearshift lever and the chrome electronic barking brake switch. Also, while functional, the steering wheel seemed a bit thin and out of place for a driver’s car such as this. Moneyed petrolheads would almost universally prefer a wheel that is thicker with handgrip mouldings.
The external body lines are sexy, providing a remarkably muscular look to this luxury sedan. Certainly more sporty than the Maybach, its wheels and tyres don’t suffer from an overabundance of bling, unlike the latest Roller. The mesh grill and GT style front fascia suit the car.
The Flying Spur also has an extremely roomy boot. One of the staff at the Bentley dealer said that they call it their “four body boot”. Suffice to say that any owner of this car could probably safely house their entire domestic staff in the boot with room to spare.
Why will Clarkson hate it? Easy, the same reason he didn’t like the GT. There is something, well, just too corporate-Teutonic about it. My observation is that if one removed all of the flying wings which there are in great quantity, almost everywhere on the car, you could almost mistake the car for a stretched Lexus. Almost, but not quite.
I had my reservations about this vehicle when I was reading about its development, but after viewing it in person, I must say that the positives outweigh the few negatives. Now, where did I put that spare $170,000?
Is that purple leather?
'Four body boot', a mobsters choice
This looks like a nice car. What would I buy else - same cat. - if I had the cash?
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Wednesday 18th May 14:09
Was my English bad FWD?
>> Edited by dinkel on Wednesday 18th May 16:18
Have to say i quite like the car from the glances I've seen of it, however i can't help but think its a Rover 75 on steroids, had that complaint about the front of the Continental GT too (with the back of an enlarged Volvo C70)
Regards
Iain
dinkel said:
www.pistonheads.com/pics/news/10660/Bentley_flying_spur_interior-L.jpg
Is that purple leather?
'Four body boot', a mobsters choice
This looks like a nice car. What would I buy else - same cat. - if I had the cash?
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Wednesday 18th May 14:09
It's actually a "different" shade of blue that is leaning toward purple.
I must say that, up close and personal, the car is more impressive than I thought it would be. Probably, like everyone else, I thought it would be just a stretched GT. It has it's own personality, though. Even had the Mrs thinking about px-ing her beloved "you can have it when you pry it from my cold dead hands" S-type in on one (the px would pay for one of the tyres on the FS...)
ErnestM
Muncher said:
furious_hothi said:
Dont dat jus look like da crysler 300c but wit round lights????????
da 300c is only 35,000 compared to the 170,000
Quite.
furious_hothi is by his profile a student, obviously not a student of English going by that and the other post he has contributed.
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 19th May 10:33
Quick glance: it's a Mercedes.
Another glance - ah yes, Rover 75.
Were it not for the obligatory of-the-moment cartoon grille - look, just like the new Audi! - one would not even waste brain cells trying to decide from which production line in blandsville it was ejected.
Leaving that aside, it just doesn't speak of craftsman-built British exclusivity. Or even British-car-ness.
Messrs. Mulliner, Park, Ward, Hooper et al would gyrate about a horizontal subterranean centre.
No doubt USA Inc. will love it.
lap_time said:
Nothin beats the Maser QP for sexy sedans.
Isn't that a completely other car?
If you said 'a big Merc', maybe . . .
"Conclusion
Drop all of these elements into a single equation - brutish power delivered with such finesse, stately propulsion on such a fine ride, and truly refined class and quality expressed via such effortless style - and the Flying Spur might well emerge as the best car in the world.
Others, like the Phantom and Maybach, may provide more - but at a price, including a slightly off-centre image. Yet others, such as the Audi A8, come close at far lesser cost - but without the cachet of Bentley Wings (or Feathers, if you like).
For our money then, the Continental Flying Spur flies high and mighty. It has captured the high ground in the super-luxury segment."
More:
http://tinyurl.com/blra3
Nice pic:
http://tinyurl.com/cwjkl
dinkel said:
Nothin beats the Maser QP for sexy sedans.
Isn't that a completely other car?
If you said 'a big Merc', maybe . . .
"Conclusion
Drop all of these elements into a single equation - brutish power delivered with such finesse, stately propulsion on such a fine ride, and truly refined class and quality expressed via such effortless style - and the Flying Spur might well emerge as the best car in the world.
Others, like the Phantom and Maybach, may provide more - but at a price, including a slightly off-centre image. Yet others, such as the Audi A8, come close at far lesser cost - but without the cachet of Bentley Wings (or Feathers, if you like).
For our money then, the Continental Flying Spur flies high and mighty. It has captured the high ground in the super-luxury segment."
More:
http://tinyurl.com/blra3
Nice pic:
http://tinyurl.com/cwjkl
Surely you jest. The QP is absolute sex on wheels. Oh yeah when i said sedan i meant saloon. Oh, one final note: the QP actually involves the driver, not like your previously mentioned 'big Mercs' with their elastic band steering.
he has a maser quattroporte and absolutley loves it. the flying spur (apart from the fact that it is a huge price increase) doesnt compare in so many areas (IMHO ofcourse!). the QP has a much nicer shape; is definitely large enough in the back for being chauffered when the need arises; gets as much attention; and is actually a nice car to drive that asks to be driven well!
chris
lap_time said:
Nothin beats the Maser QP for sexy sedans.
Isn't that a completely other car?
The QP is absolute sex on wheels.
QP pic: http://tinyurl.com/corsd
You're so right. And so am I: they are totally different cars . . . No relation at all but the wheels.
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