Bentley’s resurgence under Volkswagen’s ownership has been a sometimes-painful, but mostly gratifying thing to observe. The Continental did attract an unfortunate number of footballer’s WAGs to the table, but the strong racing spirit that has been quietly rekindled (the 2003 Le Mans win and the forthcoming Continental GT3 race car) is now starting to shine through again.
Of course, the big return to form for Bentley came with its return to sedans – the recent (and magnificent) Mulsanne and the original Continental Flying Spur.
When it was originally launched in 2005 the Continental Flying Spur was literally a four-door version of the Continental GT coupe. Based on the same platform (the VW D1 platform that also sat under the Phaeton) and sharing a front end, engine and drive train, the Flying Spur bought a welcome dose of rear seat space and regal elegance back to Bentley. And it went down well with customers too, with the company sell close to 20,000 Flying Spurs since its introduction.
And now there is a new one. Once again we head to the fantastic Highlands Motorsport Park at Cromwell in the South Island to check out the latest incarnation of the Flying Spur.
What is it?
Well, it used to be a four-door version of the Continental coupe, but now it is time for the Flying Spur to go its own way and become its own model – the “Continental” bit has been quietly dropped from its name and the new incarnation features separate styling to the coupe and convertible and it is all the better for it.
The Flying Spur is still powered by the mighty 6.0-litre, twin turbo, W12 engine that produces now a truly epic 460kW of power and 800Nm of torque. According to Bentley, the W12 has recently undergone a complete engine management system upgrade to the latest Bosch ME17 interface, resulting in improved torque management, turbocharger control, driveability, emissions performance and an improvement in low speed responsiveness.
The W12 is hooked up to a ZF-produced eight-speed automatic transmission that, in turn, sends all that power to all four wheels, courtesy of Bentley’s AWD system that has a standard torque split of 60 per cent to the rear wheels and 40 per cent to the front, but can vary this division up to 85 per cent to the rear axle or 65 per cent to the front depending on available traction.
According to Bentley the interior of the Flying Spur includes 600 new parts, with only the sun visors, grab handles, armrests and some of the front console and controls carried over from the previous model.
Available in both four- and five-seat configurations, the Flying Spur features redesigned front and rear seats trimmed in natural premium-quality leather, available in twelve different colours.
While the front seats offer 14-way adjustment, including memory and lumbar functions, every seat is both heated and ventilated. For the four-seat variant, the centre console carries through to the rear cabin and provides an additional storage area.
The interior of the Flying Spur incorporates almost ten square metres of sustainably sourced wood and features book-matched and mirror-polished veneer to the fascia panels, consoles, waistrails and picnic tables. Yep, that’s right; picnic tables. Just so you don’t forget you are in a Bentley, sir.
Bentley says that the wood in the interior is crafted entirely by hand, cured for 72 hours and clear-lacquered to enhance its natural beauty and a range of seven veneers are available (two as standard – burr walnut or dark fiddleback eucalyptus).
The roof lining and pillars are also trimmed in leather, while electrically-operated rear side blinds are fitted as standard. An optional glass sunroof can be fitted at no additional cost, while behind the central rear armrest, a nine litre bottle cooler can be specified to keep drinks perfectly chilled. Nice.
When Bentley first launched the Flying Spur it copped some criticism regarding the relative lack of technological toys in comparison to other luxury sedans on the block. This time they have countered that by absolutely jamming it with technology.
Central infotainment is controlled via an 8-inch touch-screen, complete with satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and voice activation.
An eight-channel, eight-speaker audio system can play music at ear-rupturing volumes from a wide range of media, including an on-board hard drive, CDs, DVDs, SD cards and iPods.
A new detachable touch screen remote (that looks and operates just like a mobile phone) allows passengers to control a variety of different systems – from climate controls and seat heating and ventilation through to the satellite navigation and multimedia systems – as well as view the current speed of the car. Bentley say that owners can also download an app for iPhone that operates the same way as the TSR once paired with the system.
Of course the range of interior options is simply staggering, with it simply being easier to sum up by saying “whatever you like” than actually attempting to list anything.
What’s it like?
Simply stunning.
Push the throttle down into the plush carpet and there is the slightest of pauses as the big Bentley gathers its thoughts, then the relentless charge forwards begins. A deep, distant and thoroughly refined bellow wells up from the depths of the oily bits as all twelve cylinders work in complex W-shaped unison to punch out every single bit of that colossal power through all four wheels onto the road.
The Flying Spur surges forward with a remarkable alacrity and serious intent for something weighing close to 2.5 tonnes and will charge from a standing start to the legal limit in 4.6 seconds. As astounding as the 0 to 100 time is though, it is overshadowed by the 100 to 160 sprint. Nail the throttle at 100km/h and the big guy will propel you to an instant loss of license in a further 4.9 seconds…
Of course, all of this is thoroughly immaterial from inside the Flying Spur. Things like 0 to 100 times are vulgar and unnecessary from in here and the rapidly increasing numbers on the speedometer feel utterly theoretical – and, at times, surreal – simply because completely serene inside, regardless of whether the speedo is pointing at 20km/h or the thick end of 200km/h.
But while the Flying Spur keeps the outside world at bay, it does let through the stuff you need to know. The fun stuff. And, to be completely honest, the surprising stuff. Like how ridiculously chuckable the big guy actually is.
While you will never mistake it for a Mazda MX-5, the Flying spur is surprisingly agile for a vehicle so big and offers a level of grip that is simply staggering.
While the steering isn’t exactly alive and shouting with feedback, it tells you what you need to know, which is exactly the way it should be in a car like the Bentley. Something chattery and over-eager would simply be superfluous in the Flying Spur – the feedback and road feel here is more like an attentive butler who takes care of your every need with calm efficiency and unflustered urgency. “Sir wants to enter this corner how fast? Ridiculously fast? No problem, sir, I shall attend to that immediately…”
What’s good about it?
Pretty much everything. It goes like you have just gently applied a red hot poker to its delicate pink bits, treats corners with an arrogant disdain, cossets the driver like he is the single most important person in the world (while also making the passengers feel exactly the same way), brings loads of cool tech toys for everyone to play with and looks sensational.
What’s not so good?
If one was being picky, one would have to say that the seats are a little too wide for one’s backside and that the steering is maybe a tad too light. Also, in the rear view mirror, at a distance, with the lights on, it does look remarkably like a mid ‘90s W210 E-Class Mercedes…
First impressions?
A thoroughly impressive and laughable competent car, the Bentley Flying Spur also brings a health dose of exactly what it is that made Bentley great in the first place and was almost lost under Rolls Royce ownership; that brilliant Bentley Boy attitude that, while luxury is good and all, speed is what really counts. Blatant speed and effortless elegance. Remarkable ability with a regal demeanour. Cars that are meant to be driven – and driven hard – regardless of their age, value or perceived place in society. THAT is a proper Bentley.
And that is the true beauty of the Flying Spur; brutally fast and completely unflustered by whatever the road can throw at it, it is a car that can not only reward and cosset from the back seat, it also rewards and thrills from behind the wheel as well.
A very special car indeed.
Specifications
Models/prices
Flying Spur – from $370,000
Powertrain
6.0-litre W12 petrol producing 460kW/800Nm; eight-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive
Fuel consumption: 14.7l/100km
CO2 emissions: 343g/km
Safety
ANCAP/EuroNCAP rating: n/a
Air bags: 6
Stability control: yes
Lap/diagonal belts: 4 or 5 depending on seating options
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