• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Road Test

The Best Luxury-Sport Limo in the World?

It seems one brands pain is anothers gain. In this case, the poor sales VW has experienced with its fabulously well-executed (but much criticized for even existing) Phaeton luxury car, have benefited sales of Volkswagen AG über-luxury division Bentleys stunning new Continental Flying Spur.

Last year, when it became apparent that Phaeton sales werent going to pick up anytime soon, the German manufacturer offered its state-of-the-art Dresden manufacturing plant, previously exclusive to its flagship model, to Bentley in order to help appease the long waiting lists it was experiencing for its new "entry-level" four-door sedan. Bentley, respectful of its legendary brand heritage and the importance its customers place in its "Made in England" status, simply offered its clients the opportunity to jump the queue and have their new Flying Spur made in Germany. Apparently the marques nouveau riche could

Few will even attempt to argue against the Bentley Continental Flying Spurs stimulating design, but its name is a bit long. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

hardly care, with the result being quicker deliveries for Bentleys Crewe-factory loyalists as well.

The new model has proven as popular as the two-door Continental GT coupe that preceded it. Both feature a 552-horsepower 6.0-liter, 48-valve, DOHC, twin-turbocharged W-configured 12-cylinder engine, derived from the top trim level of that same VW Phaeton, which, in Bentley guise kicks out an equally impressive 479 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift actuated manual mode. Naught to 60 mph takes a mere 5.1 seconds,

While the 552-hp 6.0L W12 might be intimidating to some, it is beautiful to those who admire mechanical perfection. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

about 0.4 seconds more than the coupe, and considering the car weighs in at 5,313 pounds, which is incidentally 143 lbs more than the already substantial GT, this is a feat indeed. Top speed, an outrageous 194 mph, puts the large sedan into a rarified category of super-sedans, so its no wonder the "haves" of the world simply have to own one.

And when I heard word that one would soon end up in my care and keeping for the space of three days, I called on one of my favorite haves and told him he would be going for a ride. Having owned top-line models from almost every premium brand available, this friend could offer a unique insight that

The Flying Spur is looonnnnggggg!!! (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

even I, who gets to drive all of these stratospherically priced automobiles yet couldnt justifiably put up the cash to purchase one, cant pretend to appreciate.

After a day of doing errands on my own, running around downtown from my postbox to the electronics/computer shop, a regular haunt, I was surprised at how easy the big sedan was to negotiate through dense city traffic and into crowded parking stalls. The Spurs Achilles heal is its length, however, spanning an incredible 208.9 inches from nose to tail, some 19.7 inches longer than the two-door GT. Much of that length is thanks to its stretched wheelbase, up 12.6 inches from the coupes 108.1 inches to 120.7 inches. Its taller than the GT too, at 58.2 inches rather than 54.7 inches, a difference of 3.5 inches.

The Flying Spur takes to curves like a much smaller sport sedan. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

The four-doors width is more or less the same as the two-door, as expected, dropping a nominal 0.08 inches. Personally, as easy as the Spur was to drive around town, I think Id have enjoyed time spent being chauffeured while ensconced in the accommodating back seat more.
Such wasnt the case when I took it for a photo shoot the following day. I chose a route that I often use when Im driving something special, as it ends up at a spectacular destination with mountain landscapes and ocean views for backdrops, plus, just getting there is a winding, undulating, high-speed event in itself. Power at takeoff is more than abundant, but, of course, even its silken W12 needs to use all of its juice to launch the big Bentley to highway speed within its claimed zero to 60 mph window. The engine

All four wheels engage the tarmac during takeoff, limiting wheelspin and allowing for outrageously quick acceleration. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

sounds pretty impressive as the revs climb, not like an F1 car or anything, and especially not NASCAR-like, no, more like a heavily muffled Champ Car crossed with something tuned for Le Mans - say Bentleys 2003 Le Mans winning Speed 8? Its subdued inside, mind you, although thoroughly stimulating if you happen to have the windows powered down or are lucky enough to be standing to its rear when its driver is blipping the throttle.

On the open road the Flying Spurs power feels much like the GTs, immediately responsive although not as decisively brusque when kicking up some dust in an Arnage T. The top-tier Arnage derives its power from a twin-turbo 6.75-liter V8, maximizing torque at a mighty 646 lb-ft - an electrifying experience! Its power is instantaneous, giving the car a jump off the line that few vehicles can

The ZF-built 6-speed automatic with manual-mode is phenomenally smooth, fully capable of optimizing the exact gear to any given situation. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

emulate. The Spur has a bit less bite from standstill, but quickly makes this up when the revs start to climb. Its engine doesnt quite match the Arnage Ts power output level, but it feels sportier thanks to an ability to spin higher. For instance, where the Arnage T claims 616-horsepower at 2,150 rpm, the Spur achieves 552-horsepower at 6,100 rpm. At the opposite end of the spectrum, however, and boosted where it matters most for everyday driving, the Spur arrives at maximum torque some 1,650 rpm earlier than the Arnage T, at 1,600 rpm compared to 3,250. Of course the Arnage T makes a lot of grunt on its way up to its maximum, so its still the more powerful of the two, which is as it should be.

The most noticeable difference between the two Bentleys is in each cars chosen transmission. Both are relatively conventional automatics, but this is where the similarities

Once again Im thoroughly stunned at how outrageously deft this next-generation Bentley is when the road starts to wind. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)?

end. The Arnage uses a fairly simple point-and-shoot four-speed autobox, highly effective but not as engaging as the paddle-shift operated six-speed unit in the Spur. Yes, this ZF-built masterwork is phenomenally smooth, fully capable of optimizing the exact gear to any given situation, and then going through the motions without even breaking a sweat. While I didnt use the paddle-shifters as much in the sedan as I did when piloting the coupe, probably because I spent more time in urban and suburban centers in the Flying Spur than the many winding rural backroads I enjoyed during the GTs launch program, they were there when I needed them. Rather than the constant flick of the fingers, I simply set the transmission to sport mode and enjoyed all the power the car could offer whenever I asked for it. While I can hardly knock the Arnages robust four-speed transmission, the Spurs much more sophisticated six-speed is about as well executed as luxury car gearboxes

The Flying-B brand has a long history of making sporting cars, going way back to its Speed Six and "Blower" Bentley days. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

get.

Page:  1  2

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo