Bentley Flying Spur 2014 Review

You can easily dismiss the latest update to Bentley's sleek four-door sedan as just a mid-life update. However, there is a deeper and more pressing problem behind the polishing of the Flying Spur.

While Bentley's wealthy customers can weather the financial impact of rising fuel prices and tightening emissions laws, the company may struggle with a third; economic downturn in major global markets.

To maintain buoyancy and stability in this turbulent ocean, the British (albeit German) marque is targeting new markets such as Russia, China and Korea.

In addition, new rivals appear on the horizon.

Paul Jones, Bentley's chief engineering and development engineer for the Continental range, says competition, especially from the upcoming Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and as-yet-unnamed midsize Rolls-Royce, will attract customers. Hence the new mid-life Continental Flying Spur.

“Now we've expanded the car's appeal with two models, the 560 and the Speed, so customers can choose one with luxury and comfort, or one with extra performance,” says Jones.

Like its two-door sister, the Continental GT, the redesigned Flying Spur gets a high-performance option that boosts the six-liter 12-cylinder engine to 449 kW (600 hp).

The torque is more impressive, up to 750Nm at 1750-5750rpm from 650Nm, which is why this Speed ​​model can get its fat 2475kg body to 100km/h in a smart 4.8 seconds.

The Flying Spur four-door sedan will go on sale globally this month and arrive in Australia in November for around $370,500 including the 33 percent luxury car tax. The speed will probably cost $400,200XNUMX.

Externally, the interior is very similar to the previous model, which went on sale in 2005.

There are changes such as a larger and more upright grille, a wider choice of paint and upholstery, advanced features including power-adjustable rear seats, and noise reduction improvements including innovative five-pane window glass.

The suspension has been retuned, 19-inch wheels are standard, 20-inch wheels are optional on the 560 and standard on the Speed, and the Speed ​​gets major engine modifications for more durability.

Bentley does not expect the new Flying Spur to boost the automaker's sales.

The same number of Bentleys, about 2008 units, is projected to be produced in 10,000 as in 2007, reflecting the damage from the quiet financial slowdown in global economic markets.

Around 3500 Flying Spur sedans are expected to be sold worldwide over 12 months.

In Australia, Bentley regional manager Ed Stribig expects about 130 Bentley sales in 2008, of which about 45 will be Flying Spurs.

On the road you can see that this is a big car. The photos are deceiving, showing what looks like a Commodore because the stylists have used graceful curves and cones to disguise its nearly 5.3m length. You're aware that it can outshine other traffic (even on US highways, where this test took place), but the more miles you drive, the less difficult the task will be.

While traffic can be suffocating, the cabin is so well insulated that the windows look like TV screens.

Bentley made headlines by claiming that its five-layer acoustic glass reduces ambient sound by 60% in traffic and 40% at high speeds. This is compared to the current Flying Spur.

This is good for passengers, but the driver may feel completely alienated from the real world of cars.

Luckily, there's a W12 engine, two rows of narrow-block V6 engines from Volkswagen mounted in tandem, and a quick-shifting six-speed Tiptronic transmission to spice things up.

The cabin is bulky: 2750kg dry, plus two passengers and a full 90-litre premium belly, which works out to 3.1 tons. However, it still pulls away from traffic lights with unrivaled ease.

The 560 is a fast machine, so much more can be expected from the Speed. But the difference in performance was hard to grasp, such is the Flying Spur's ability to separate the cockpit from the outside. But there is no doubt that the Speed ​​is a more aggressive machine, showing its presence in only one maneuver; release the accelerator after the fang and exhaust rumble.

Of course, that deep bass growl is artfully muted. But it's there, and Bentley lets you hear it.

While acceleration is commendable, even better is its mid-range, where overtaking is startlingly fast. The brakes are just amazing. Bentley says these 405mm wheels are the largest on a production car and the Speed, and are even bigger at 420mm up front for optional carbon wheels.

Ride comfort is as expected, and handling is simple and pleasing to the eye. Organ stop ventilation regulators impress with their efficiency and ease of use.