Tuesday 22nd February 2005

Flying Spur price confirmed

Bentley Saloon to debut in Geneva

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March 1st will see the new £115,000 Bentley Saloon debut in Geneva. Very much in the same mould as the Continental GT, the new 'Continental Flying Spur' will be the fastest four door in the company's history with a top speed of 195mph.

Designed in Crewe and tested around the world, the new car is powered by the same engine as it's two door sibling - a 6 litre W12 pumping out 552bhp and huge gobs of torque from low revs (650Nm at 1600rpm). The engine is built in Crewe.

Power is transmitted via an all wheel drive system and a six speed auto box with paddleshift controls. As well as its advanced all-wheel drive system, the Continental Flying Spur incorporates traction control and an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), both of which can be disabled at the discretion of the driver

Slowing the car requires some huge brakes. 405mm in size - the largest on any production car today. The Continental Flying Spur also has a unique electronic parking brake - after the driver has applied the brake it will automatically re-apply one and five minutes later. This prevents accidental slippage should the brake discs cool after use. The parking brake system can also be operated as an emergency brake. In this instance braking is applied to all four wheels and the car's electronic safety systems remain fully operational allowing the driver to steer as normal.

Roll out begins in April.

Earlier story: www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=9750

[kevinday]

Front end looks a bit Rover 75'ish, back end a bit yank tank, but it would still put a smile on my face!

[DBSnappa]

It looks even more like a big VW than the conti... I quite like the Continental, but have always had a slight problem with the arse end looking a bit baggy... this is in no way an improvement. The front and rear ends look even more mismatched that the coupe; I can't quite put my finger on what is wrong... it just seems so anodyne, unspecial and lacking in any real character.

[PetrolTed]

Probably has 'presence'

[GregE240]

PetrolTed said:

Probably has 'presence'

What, like a free jacket, or a keyring?



Theres nothing like them. And long may that continue.

[granville]

Give me old man Thomassino's chariot, any day.

Great car, dreadful owners.

Harsh but overwhelmingly fair.

[FourWheelDrift]

Isn't the white car in the 2nd photo a Mercedes?

[klassiekerrally]

Call me old-fashioned, but a Bentley built on the same floorpan as the Pheaton... Things went terribly wrong!

I even read they want to built it in GERMANY!!!
Are they completely out of their mind?

Let's face it, Bentley as we used to know (and love) it is dead. This is an über-Volkswagen. Nothing more.
Even the styling is boring. Too german. Too clean. Too emotion-less.

>> Edited by klassiekerrally on Tuesday 22 February 11:32

[t0ny99]

FourWheelDrift said:

Isn't the white car in the 2nd photo a Mercedes?

No, it's a disguised version of that other prestige German brand: Bentley

(You can just make out the masking on the rear side window, and earlier spy shots show a different colour Conti' with the same headlight/taillight masks)

[FourWheelDrift]

Ah, yes I can see it now.

[aut0m0tive]

All that stands out to me is:

Look at the understeer on that snow... Jeez.

[mattw]

Sarcasm mode on:

“fastest foor doot” is that some new fangled configuration I have not heard of?!?

Sarcasm mode off.

Sorry Ted, could not help myself!!

[annodomini2]

Just as ugly as a continental gt!

[GregE240]

derestrictor said:

Give me old man Thomassino's chariot, any day. Great car, dreadful owners. Harsh but overwhelmingly fair.

Oy, cave dwelling p.o.s, until you meet Dr T, I'll not have you slighting the man

He is worth ten of me, and although to blame for my very existence, is actually a very very nice man.

[FesterNath]

Sounds like a good car. Maybe a little too ostentatious... hmmnn. What about all this performance wrapped up in a slightly less obvious shell. Oh, wait a minute... giant Passat... Phaeton!

[t0ny99]

kevinday said:

Front end looks a bit Rover 75'ish, back end a bit yank tank, but it would still put a smile on my face!

Or the barsteward love-child of a 75 and an Avensis?

I'd have the GT - a couple around here, look better in the metal than the pics suggest. I hope the same applies to the 4-door!

[softinthehead]

oh no.
no no no no no.
the white one with the mondeo rear and the audi/merc hybrid front? yuk
no point pretending looks are unimportant; despite the great specs this is a deeply ugly car. I am SO glad I cant afford one
picture 3 screams rover.
all of them scream no!

[ian d]

i still think it looks like an S class merc, but what do i know?

we've had this arguement/discussion all before someone didn't realy explain to VW what bentley was all about....ahem.

build too many of them, sell to the "insert words of own choice" sort, yes you will sell cars and make money but, one wonders, what would WO be thinking. he would be impressed with the speed but what else?

[smele]

article said:

the new 'Continental Flying Spur' will be the fastest foor doot

Can't beat a foor doot.

[Pesmo]

The Good thing about it is that it is a proper 4 door with sensible rear room for the owner. It will sell to its target market and looks far better than the Maybach.

[rico]

Not to my liking at all.

Looks like a photoshop of a 300C and a Continental GT.

Bentley have gone downhill since the Arnage