Most of us will never experience the grandeur of a Bentley motorcar, much less own or drive one. So it was a tasty treat to get a new Bentley Continental Flying Spur for the weekend. A family drive out to Bartlett Lake took on a whole new dimension. Yes, the sedan is crazy expensive, but there are people wealthy enough to buy them. Actually, in the scheme of so-called ultra-luxury cars, the price of the latest Bentley is relatively modest considering the models from Rolls-Royce or Maybach that reach beyond $400,000. For most people, Bentley evokes an image of stuffy British lords who smoke pipes and utter things like, “I say there, old bean.” But for many years, Bentley was known as a sporting brand. Bentley is now owned by German automaker Volkswagen, the “people’s car,” which is a pretty rich irony on several fronts. But VW and its luxury brand, Audi, have made tremendous strides in bringing Bentley back to its former glory. Purists may howl, but Bentley also retains its historic aura as a grand touring car of the highest order. The Flying Spur, a name from Bentley’s past, is the sports sedan version of Bentley’s highly successful Continental GT coupe, one of the most gorgeous cars on the road. The sedan is basically a stretch version of the GT with a back seat and more-formal roofline, but still with the grace and presence of a jungle cat. A powerful, twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine, brilliant suspension and luscious interior are as expected. The performance is stunning. The Bentley certainly boosted the weekend. Oh well, back to reality.
PERFORMANCE: The remarkable W12 engine in both Continental Flying Spur and GT is a compact 12-cylinder unit essentially similar to those in the Audi A8 and VW Phaeton. “W” stands for the unique cylinder configuration. For the Bentley, the W12 gets a pair of turbochargers that boost horsepower to 552 and torque to a beefy 479 pounds-feet at a low 1,600 rpm. That translates to instant response and awesome acceleration, even with this huge sedan weighing in at 5,456 pounds. Fuel mileage, naturally, is pretty pathetic. But anyone who can afford this mighty steed won’t be too worried about the price of oats. The six-speed automatic works flawlessly.
DRIVABILITY: Bentley proves you can have a plus-size luxury car that succeeds as a sports sedan. As expected, the pliant suspension absorbs bumps, potholes and rough pavement, successfully shielding the privileged passengers from the outside world. But the Flying Spur (don’t you just love that name?) also performs with sporty drivability. It handles seamlessly on winding roads and thunders rapidly around corners. Credit the well-engineered suspension, sharp steering response and large, powerful brakes.
STYLING: Gorgeous from any angle, though not as striking as the GT coupe.
INTERIOR: A lovely, well-tailored and nicely functional place to be, with traditional touches along with the most modern flourishes. But alas, here is where we find a major thorn among the roses. The air-conditioning was less than effective on a 110-degree day. Maybe it was just the test car, but among all this glory, a weak AC system seemed like a critical flaw.
BOTTOM LINE: Continental Flying Spur shows that VW gets what Bentley is all about. A rich tradition revived and brought thoroughly up to date.
Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Vehicle type: Four-passenger, four-door sedan, all-wheel drive. Engine: 6-liter W12, 552 horsepower at 6,100 rpm, 479 pound-feet torque at 1,600 rpm. Transmission: 6-speed automatic. Wheelbase: 120.6 inches. Overall length: 208.9 inches. Curb weight: 5,456 pounds. EPA rating: 11 city, 18 highway.
Highs: Lush accommodations, mighty engine, front-row valet parking. Lows: Scary price tag, mediocre air-conditioner, poor gas mileage.
Pricing
Base price: $164,990. Price as tested: $187,475.
SELECTED OPTIONS — Full-length center console, full power seating, $7,190. — Chrome wheels, $4,240. — Chrome and leather gear-shift knob, $590. — Custom floor mats, $490. — Alloy fuel-filler cap, $290. — Valet parking key, $240. — Gas-guzzler tax, $3,700. — Shipping, $2,595.