It can rocket from zero to 60 m.p.h. in less than 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 195 m.p.h.
Slap sponsor decals all over the body panels and this thing could compete on the NASCAR circuit.
Well, maybe.
It’s the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, the world’s fastest sedan thanks to its 6-liter, 552-horsepower, 48-valve, twin-turbo V-12.
With the V-12 and 6-speed automatic and paddle shifting to manually whip through the gears if you like, the Flying Spur can outrun almost anything on the road, except, of course, a Lamborghini, Ferrari or gas pump.
That brings us to the 11 m.p.g. city and 18 m.p.g. highway mileage rating and the Flying Spur’s $3,700 gas-guzzler tax. Anyone who shops for a car with a $169,990 base and a $185,250 sticker when loaded with options probably wouldn’t ask to see the gas/electric version.
The Flying Spur, according to Bentley spokesman Dave Reuter, is a machine created for celebrities, athletes, actors and CEOs and entrepreneurs to whom the car is “a reward for hard work and not meant to be flashy, showy or to broadcast their wealth.”
The Flying Spur we test-drove was finished in — how should we say it? — “army green,” a shade neither flashy nor showy. In fact, some looking at the wire-mesh grille thought it was a Chrysler 300, and others looking at its oval headlamps thought it was a Jaguar.
While it didn’t broadcast its wealth, it also didn’t let people know what the heck it was, which isn’t too much to ask considering its $185,250 sticker before tax.
Reuter said the typical buyer is 40 and earns about $3 million annually. Men favor it for its speed, women for the back seat that allows them to haul friends or family.
When slipping behind the wheel to check out the cabin, there was a glaring problem, the Breitling timepiece (don’t call it a clock, please) didn’t work.
When informed that the Breitling was stuck at 11:15, Reuter said that, though regrettable, it was understandable.
“When you drive a Bentley,” he said, “time stands still.”
If the Bentley job doesn’t work out, Reuter can always try out for America’s Funniest Comic.
As for the car, needless to say, the 6-liter V-12 has power akin to a missile, necessary to muscle two tons, plus roughly the weight of a Sumo wrestler, away from the light or down the merge ramp. Thanks to standard electronic stability control and full-time all-wheel drive, there’s no trouble controlling the weight.
There is a traditional ignition, but rather than turn a key, you push a starter button in the dash and the engine springs to life — providing you have the magical fob on you. If, however, you need to valet park, you can get a separate key — for a mere $290 — to leave with the attendant to slip into the ignition. That prevents him from using that magical fob, which also opens the massive trunk — oops, boot.
The suspension is appropriately regal, though it helps that the leather seats have roughly the same amount of cushion as a king-size bed.
The car tested had an optional $8,940 Mulliner package. Mulliner is the name of the coach works that customizes the car for Bentley. For that bargain $8,940, it replaces the 19-inch radials with 20-inch all-seasons and adds alloy gas/brake pedals, custom gearshift lever and diamond-stitched, quilted leather seats.
For $290 more Mulliner went wild with a customized fuel filler cap, noteworthy for its price and the fact that it is so heavy that if dropped on a toe when refueling, you are going to spend the next few weeks in the passenger seat, not the driver’s.
The Flying Spur bowed for the 2006 model year. Sales topped 2,000, making it the highest-volume vehicle in the Bentley lineup. For 2007, sales are expected to range from 1,600 to 1,800 as the new 2007 Bentley Continental GTC convertible takes up the volume mantle.
Noteworthy touches include what Bentley calls “picnic tables” built into the backs of the front seats. Though called tables, they are fold-down slats of veneered wood just big enough to hold a cheeseburger, fries and shake.
Rear-seat room is limo like. The fold-down armrest comes with two slide-out cupholders so you don’t have to use the tables and risk spilling during panic braking. There’s a small, felt-lined stowage compartment under the armrest and a pull-open trunk, er, boot, pass-through above so your skis can ride inside.
A few gripes. The power mirror controls are way off to the right of the center console, making them difficult to reach.
Another is that you can open the boot — we’re getting the hang of this — by pressing the icon on the fob or the button in the door. However, those buttons won’t get it to close. So you have to get out and press the button on the boot lid. Manual labor at $185,000?
Standard equipment includes air suspension, performance tires, four-zone climate control, DVD navigation, 12-speaker audio system, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, CD player with six-disc changer in the glovebox, anti-lock brakes, side-curtain air bags and tire-pressure monitor.
2007 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Price as tested: $185,250 *
THE STICKER
$169,990 Base
$8,940 Mulliner driving specification with 20-inch wheels and tires, drilled alloy pedals, custom gearshift lever and diamond-stitched, quilted leather seats
$2,140 Veneered picnic tables on backs of front seats
$1,040 Power sunroof
$990 Contrast stitching on seats, fascia and door panels
$590 Boot (trunk) carpet
$490 Deep pile carpet $490 Two-tone hide trim on steering wheel
$290 Mulliner alloy fuel filler cap
$290 Valet parking key
* Add $3,700 for gas-guzzler tax and $2,595 for freight.
THE NUMBERS
Wheelbase: 120.6 inches
Length: 208.9 inches
Engine: 6-liter, 552-h.p., 48-valve, twin-turbo V-12
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, with manual shift paddles
Fuel economy: 11 m.p.g. city/18 m.p.g. highway
PLUSES
Oh, sooo fast.
Oh, sooo smooth ride and sure-footed handling.
Electronic stability control and full-time AWD standard.
MINUESES
Wire mesh grille looks a bit like a Chrysler 300, oval headlamps a little like a Jaguar, so doesn’t flaunt being a $200,000 wannabe.
The $3,700 guzzler tithe.
Dash clock didn’t work.
$2,140 for mini table tops masquerading as picnic tables.