Bentley Continental

Despite some media criticism concerning the Flying Spur's quality, the big Bentley really does seem to have the lux-ury and speed to take on rivals. And, as incredible as it may sound, the £115,000 tag almost looks reasonable, too, especially considering the alternatives. We have no doubt the Flying Spur will be as much of a success as its GT brother.

Thinking of joining the jet-set? Then you will need a Flying Spur... The eagerly anticipated Bentley saloon has finally hit the UK's roads - and Auto Express was the first magazine behind the wheel.

Pitched as an upmarket rival to cars from the likes of BMW and Mercedes, the sensational-looking machine joins the Continental GT in the range, and offers a more modern alternative to the handcrafted Arnage. Described as a Grand Tourer, the four-door shares much of its detailing, and even more of its technology, with the 200mph GT coup�.

The new Bentley is faster, bigger and, at £115,000, £45,000 cheaper than the most basic Arnage. Capable of 195mph, it is also a record-breaker - no other saloon currently on sale is as quick.

And its attributes do not stop there, as the Flying Spur's top speed is matched by its ability to sprint from 0-60mph in a mere 4.9 seconds. That's nearly as fast as a Caterham Superlight R300.

To help the car stop, it also has the biggest brake discs fitted to a production model, at 405mm. So how does the Bentley feel on the UK's roads? Its massive length and imposing looks certainly have an effect on driving style, but the first thing that strikes you is the huge interior. From behind the wheel, the rear seats almost seem to be another county away!

Buyers can choose two or three-abreast layouts. The more exclusive two-seater set-up costs £4,500 more, due to the ornate handcrafted centre console and adjustable electric seats. But whichever arrangement you opt for, the passenger environment has to be experienced to be believed.

Space is more than a match for that in a long-wheelbase Mercedes S-Class, and the quality of the leather trim is incredible. Look carefully and you will spot the Volkswagen switchgear, yet it does not detract from the Bentley's upmarket, exclusive feel.

In fact, our only criticism concerns the finish of the parts of the car you do not always see, such as the strike plates for the door locks. Also, the rubbery seals seem to have more in common with a Volkswagen Golf than the legendary Arnage. However, the driving position is excellent, and the front seats adjust 16 different ways.

Considering the Bentley's stunning pace, that is great news, because you will need to be sitting comfortably. The mighty 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine delivers 552bhp and 650Nm of torque from 1,600rpm. But it is not all about power; despite the car's huge potential, the unit is extremely refined. Even in wet conditions, traction is excellent thanks to the four-wheel-drive set-up, and the newcomer remains impeccably stable on its air-suspension.

The ride is not perfect, though, and over rough surfaces the Continental fidgets nervously. Road noise can be an issue, too, particularly on worn-out motorways. Even so, long journeys prove virtually effortless, and the car boasts a road presence which class rivals such as the long-wheelbase BMW 7-Series simply cannot match.

Bentley's Crewe factory already has 2,000 advance orders for the Flying Spur - plenty more will follow.