Bentley Flying Spur

By Owen Mildenhall

June 2008

• Rating:

It's the great British success story! Only three years after its launch, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur remains the best-selling 12-cylinder luxury saloon in the world.

But the firm isn’t resting on its laurels, and has produced this facelifted edition to help keep the car at the top of the pack for years to come.

The updated Flying Spur gets subtle design changes, and an even larger choice of bespoke colours, trims and options. To maintain class-leading cabin comfort, a raft of modifications has improved refinement, too.

But the big news is the launch of this all-new Speed model. It takes its inspiration from the Continental GT Speed – which accounts for 70 per cent of all coupé sales – and benefits from the same engine upgrades as the two-door car.

That means the W12 engine in the Flying Spur Speed offers 48bhp more than the ‘basic’ model, at 600bhp, while its torque output has increased by 100Nm to 750Nm.

As a result, the Speed has huge performance, with 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 200mph. Plus, the low-down torque and thrust for which Bentleys are famed is even more evident in this variant.

There’s a lovely baritone sound from the retuned sports exhaust, too. And ensuring the dynamics live up to the greater pace, the ride height has been lowered by 10mm.

Body control is impressive considering the car’s weight, while grip and traction are very reassuring. Crucially, though, opting for the Speed doesn’t diminish the sense of serenity you get in the Flying Spur’s cabin. Road noise is well contained, and the blend of beautifully crafted leather, wood and chrome is unaltered.

You do get diamond-quilted hide, Speed-branded kickplates, a knurled chrome gearlever and a three-spoke sports steering wheel. And as always, the bespoke nature of the Bentley means buyers are offered a seemingly limitless range of personalisation.

There aren’t many more comfortable ways to cover big distances than in a Continental Flying Spur. And the Speed takes things a step further – this luxury saloon really is the best of British.

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