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Bentley Continental Flying Star

We’re first behind the wheel of incredible Superleggera-designed shooting brake.

Bentley Continental Flying Star

May 2010

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Meet the most exclusive ‘estate’ car in the world. This is the Bentley Continental Flying Star – a stunning two-door shooting brake that mixes incredible looks with an equally jaw-dropping price tag of £500,000.

It’s the work of Italian coachbuilder Touring Superleggera, and having turned every head at its debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show, it’s destined to go into limited production in the next few months.

Now, Auto Express has become the first magazine in the world to drive it, at its première at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. Looking at the Flying Star, you would never guess that the starting point for this awe-inspiring transformation was actually the Bentley Continental GTC convertible. Technical director at Touring Superleggera, Aldo Goi, says that adapting the two-door open bodywork of the soft-top was far less complicated than replacing the roof on a GT coupé or Flying Spur saloon.

“The GTC’s added structural strength makes it ideal for the Flying Star coachwork,” he explains. There’s no shortage of risk in this type of project, though, as the end result rarely has the solid fit and finish of the original. However, the Flying Star is a success. All door closures – a particular challenge – are true.

Goi is no stranger to custom builds. “I’ve done dozens of special cars with Alfa and others over the years, but this job has been the toughest,” he says.

Several components under the GTC’s skin needed to be relocated within the Flying Star’s chassis, and the work started in September 2009, with Goi given less than six months to solve all the challenges. All added structural parts have been made of lightweight steel, while the moving parts are crafted from aluminium to remain true to the Touring Superleggera name.

Although the extended roof section is mostly fashioned from steel sheet, with thick double steel support bars hidden inside, the Flying Star is 30kg lighter than the Continental GTC. Designers are also talking about the possibility of producing a carbon fibre roof variant that would cut weight by a further 100kg, while maintaining rigidity and strength. As well as being stunning to look at, the newcomer is remarkably practical. While the Continental GTC provides a mere 260 litres of boot space, the Flying Star offers a minimum of 400 litres, which expands to 1,200 litres with the fold-flat rear seatbacks laid forward. The load floor and seatbacks are covered in tightly stitched custom leather, and the hatch is big enough to swallow the odd masterpiece.

The chrome surrounds of the cargo door and tail-lights are made of durable plated brass, while the rear LED units are taken from the Continental Supersports. Here, though, they’ve been inserted from within the new rear wing panels to sit flush with the bodywork.

Other highlights include a special set of 20-inch classic Borrani alloys with stainless steel spokes, costing £8,000. But what’s the Flying Star like to drive? Well, thanks to its lighter chassis, it’s quicker than the GTC, sprinting from 0-60mph in only 4.6 seconds – that’s the same as the Continental GT coupé.

However, that’s merely the start. After our drive, this car was due to head to Bentley’s HQ in Crewe, Cheshire, to get the full Speed treatment. That means boosting the 6.0-litre bi-turbo W12 unit to 600bhp. In short, the Flying Star soars and surges in that unmistakably Bentley bi-turbo manner. From only 1,700rpm, practically all of the engine’s torque arrives in one huge shove.

What is really surprising is the added stiffness provided by the Touring bodywork. The Flying Star is responsive, and along the very demanding lakeside B-roads of Lake Como, feels as good to drive as the Continental GT. The only difference is the sense of space in the shooting brake set-up, which feels eerily large. The side glasswork now measures 2.4 metres in length! Room in the rear seats is plentiful, too.

If the price tag wasn’t big enough, you could order the five-piece personalised luggage set – the only other optional extra Superleggera formally offers. After the Borrani alloy wheels, it’s all up to the buyer’s imagination. And that imagination starts at £510,000 in 552bhp Continental form, or £575,000 in 602bhp Speed specification.

No wonder the Flying Star is set to be so exclusive. Touring Superleggera aims to sell only 20 examples worldwide.

Rival: Aston Lagonda
When the rather ungainly estate-cum-SUV Lagonda concept was unveiled at Geneva last year, it received a decidedly cool reception. Aston has promised another interpretation this year, to appeal to ultra-wealthy luxury car buyers. Let’s hope it’s as stunning as this Bentley.

For an alternative review of the latest Bentley Motors Continental visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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19 Comments

GMR

Absolutely fantastic! A proper shooting brake, so much better than merc's recent CLS "shooting break"

By tiveroz on 13 May, 2010, 9:25am

Other designers, please note: flowing lines with uncomplicated detailing; that's the way to do it. It doesn't have to look like the an extra in a Transformers movie.
Absolutely beautiful! I'd have one tomorrow, but I can't find anyone to change my million pound note. Maybe I should get two.

By PedroConejo on 13 May, 2010, 1:15pm

Fabulous

Fabulous looking machine.

By Ian2861 on 13 May, 2010, 2:44pm

This is a real Bentley and WO would be proud of it!

It should have been concieved and built in Britain but Italian coachbuilder Touring Superleggera is also a great builder and prestige address we can be proud of!

There are very few cars in the world at the moment that command or carry such prestige and dignified elegance. Any other choice such as those from Stuttgart would be inferior replacements for people that cannot afford the best!

Well done Bentley!

By vandenplas4litre on 13 May, 2010, 4:22pm

PUT MY NAME DOWN.

Been a big bentley fan ,,,if had the money ould be my first pick ,it looks brillliant!!!! A+++++

By jemyd on 14 May, 2010, 7:29am

I see all the Bently staff have come on here to pretend to be admiring public. This thing is a pig-dog!!! Nice form the side and front, but the back? Are you kidding. Even American designers in the 50s couldn't get it that wrong. FUGLY!

By nickeroo on 14 May, 2010, 3:59pm

It's not to everyone's taste but I'm sure it's no big loss that the odd person (who couldn't afford one anyway) doesn't like it!

Looks fab imo! There must be room for more things like this from sporting brands around the world. Maybe a little more 'affordable' though! Although the exclusivity will count as much as the appearance for many customers.

By scoob on 14 May, 2010, 5:42pm

It's not to everyone's taste but I'm sure it's no big loss that the odd person (who couldn't afford one anyway) doesn't like it!

Looks fab imo! There must be room for more things like this from sporting brands around the world. Maybe a little more 'affordable' though! Although the exclusivity will count as much as the appearance for many customers.

By scoob on 14 May, 2010, 5:48pm

What a Joke

£500k to have people laugh at you when you drive past? If you want to create that kind of effect save some cash and just buy a BMW X6.

By oliver144 on 15 May, 2010, 9:19pm

Well Done!!

You've built a Bentley Scirocco!!

By Bond_James_Bond on 17 May, 2010, 9:17am

BENTLEY BRAND IS IN RUINS

We are witnessing the utter annihilation of an iconic brand. This car is a worse than the Mulsanne and that is truly saying something. It is such an appalling design and so far removed from what Bentley stood for it is truly hard to believe that anyone would create something like this without having anything but utter contempt and absolute abhorrence for Bentley and especially those who own Bentley motor vehicles. There is simply no excuse for creating such distasteful motor cars and then labeling them with the Bentley name – a terrible injustice and genuine shame. I urge all Bentley owners to stand up and say NO MORE!

By V12RR on 18 May, 2010, 5:52am

Bentley's hearse

Finally, a Bentley with a clearly defined purpose: transporting the corpses of those responsible for destroying everything that Bentley ever stood for.

Just look at it... the rear is a cross between the Mulsanne and an Alfa Romeo Brera. Bentley is supposed to be about quintessentially British power and prestige, not absurd mutants. I can only hope that Touring Superleggera (TS) stick to cars and not genetic engineering. It would only be a matter of time before disease-resistant and venomous rabbits were marauding across the country side, puncturing everything in sight with their inch-long fangs.

I cannot understand why Bentley would allow TS to do this. If TS had wanted to put a Vauxhall badge on it, would Bentley have allowed that? Who - ever - could have possibly thought the world needed a Bentley station wagon? Can you imagine Rolls Royce doing something like this?

It's time to start moving the corpses...

By XXXJAG on 18 May, 2010, 6:38am

Chavtastic luggage


An already hideous car - made even more hideous...

As for that 'matching' chavtastic luggage, well....

By tonyar on 20 May, 2010, 2:56pm

Chavtastic luggage


An already hideous car - made even more hideous...

As for that 'matching' chavtastic luggage, well....

By tonyar on 20 May, 2010, 4:36pm

Nooooooooooo!

I have never seen anything quite so wrong in all my life - I don't understand how a perfectly good design house could mess up a decent car quite so badly.

Bentley please keep the designing in house and British.

By pknut on 28 May, 2010, 5:48pm

They should all be put down!

I'm not an ecomentalist, but what will be the legacy for my children, and my childrens' children, with idiots wafting around with 6.0 bi-turbo W12 engine? This kind of nonsense is a vulgar disgrace that should no longer be tolerated. I would be ashamed to ever be seen in or associated with this.

By jcrowley012 on 30 May, 2010, 10:09pm

TheNecromancer

Like Marmite; you either love it or loathe it. I love it; I never liked the GT or Flying Spur incarnations of the Continental - they just looked like bland VW Passat but the lines of the shooting brake have in my opinion turned Bentley's ugly duckling into a beautiful and graceful swan. And that comes from a chap who had till now been a conservative Bentley purist and fan of W O's vision.

The colour scheme and baggage is a showcase of what the CTS craftsmen can do; just about everything from paint finish, wood veneers to interior leathers and matching baggage are at the behest of the buyer. Yes, I Iove it but sadly can't afford one - but I am saving up for one. I would much prefer a 5 door estate but as Touring's CEO rightly pointed out; that would detract from the aesthetics of the shooting brake's roof.
If you want to take a closer look at the real McCoy; it will be featuring at the LeMans Classic this weekend (9th-11th July) and is then due to make its UK public premier in London on 13th July.

Stripy interior and baggage may not be to everyone's taste but I adore it. Be a pity if it went missing!!

Dear Santa; I've been a good boy all year and wonder if you might fit a large item in your sack.......

By TheNecromancer on 9 July, 2010, 1:00am

Hats off to those who would waste their money to buy this ugly thing....

By mumuxu on 14 July, 2010, 2:43am

Look ok but the type of clients will kill any credibility it might have had

Well guess what that useless England football team and their WAGS will be ordering in a Bentley dealership really soon? Only Chavs, WAGS and Premier league/England players will buy this over priced knock off of a great original!

As for that luggage, yuk that really is a case of nuevo riche, no taste! look out though for knock offs out of Bangkok anytime soon. There will ten times the amount of luggage on the market as sold cars, and like the sold cars a must have knock off for the tasteless!

By Focus_your_mind on 23 July, 2010, 11:40am

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Bentley Continental Flying Star
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Bentley Continental Flying Star

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FIRST OPINION

    The Flying Star is a superb piece of engineering. Its beautifully crafted bodywork is a fabulous example of automotive sculpture – and so well integrated, we wouldn’t be surprised if Bentley is considering making an official version. The fact that Touring Superleggera’s work has resulted in a more practical machine – plus one that’s equally good to drive – really is the icing on the cake. The customisation does come at quite a price, although those with the required funds will no doubt take comfort that they are never likely to meet another Flying Star on the road.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £510,000
    Engine: 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12
    Power: 552bhp
    Transmission: Six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
    0-60mph: 4.6 seconds (est)
    Top speed: 195mph
    Econ/CO2: 17.0mpg/396g/km
    Equipment: Fully adjustable front seating, fold-flat rear seats, self-adapting suspension, steering wheel paddleshifters, 20-inch Borrani wheels, Touring shooting brake coachwork, luggage set
    On sale: Now
     
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