Bentley Continental Flying Spur (05 on) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 16 October 2008
What's the fastest production saloon car in the world? An AMG Mercedes? BMW M5? Maybe a Maserati Quattroporte? Actually it's the rather frumpy looking Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Because while those cars might match or in some cases beat the Bentley from the traffic lights, none can match its incredible 195mph top speed. Far more relevant of course is its effortless real world performance, fabulous cabin and secure all weather handling. And the fact that while still horrendously expensive compared to everyday car, at upwards of £115,000 the Bentley has few real rivals. Bentley does make another saloon, the Arnage. Though much less sophisticated it’s largely built by hand, explaining the £50,000 extra it costs.
4 out of 5

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4 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£134,285 - £151,985

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Used price range:

£32,531 - £127,344

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Sense of occasion, superb quality, breathtaking performance

Incredibly expensive to buy and run, rather ungainly styling

What's the fastest production saloon car in the world? An AMG Mercedes? BMW M5? Maybe a Maserati Quattroporte? Actually it's the rather frumpy looking Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Because while those cars might match or in some cases beat the Bentley from the traffic lights, none can match its incredible 195mph top speed. Far more relevant of course is its effortless real world performance, fabulous cabin and secure all weather handling. And the fact that while still horrendously expensive compared to everyday car, at upwards of £115,000 the Bentley has few real rivals. Bentley does make another saloon, the Arnage. Though much less sophisticated it’s largely built by hand, explaining the £50,000 extra it costs.

Driving & Performance

  • Performance

    5 out of 5

    "A 125kg weight penalty over the GT coupé means the Flying Spur is fractionally slower against the..."

  • Handling

    4.5 out of 5

    "If the way the Spur accelerates is surprising given its demure exterior lines, then so is the way it..."

Comfort

  • Comfort

    5 out of 5

    "Life in the front of the Flying Spur is just as charming as it is in the two-door GT with ample..."

  • Practicality

    4 out of 5

    "As well as scoring more passenger room over its siblings, the Flying Spur gets a much bigger boot..."

  • Equipment

    5 out of 5

    "Almost every convenience item is standard equipment on the flying Spur from four-zone climate..."

  • Behind the wheel

    4 out of 5

    "Drivers in the Spur enjoy the same upright driving position as in other Continental derivatives and..."

Costs

  • Running costs

    1.5 out of 5

    "Running costs probably aren’t the main concern for your average Flying Spur buyer and have to be..."

  • Green credentials

    0.5 out of 5

    "The Continental Flying Spur is clearly a high-emission model. With an average of 410g/km CO2 across..."

Safety & Reliability

  • Safety

    4 out of 5

    "No one expects to have an accident but the more pessimistic rich could do worse than equip..."

  • Reliability

    4 out of 5

    "The new-era Bentleys built during Volkswagen’s watch have an excellent reputation for quality and..."

Buying & Selling

  • Buying new

    1.5 out of 5

    "The Flying Spur has a lower profile than the coupé versions of the Continental, and where people..."

  • Buying used

    2 out of 5

    "Less common than the GT Coupé, but also less desirable, it's possible to find the more practical..."

  • Selling

    2 out of 5

    "A Bentley dealer or luxury car specialist would be the quickest way of selling your Flying Spur, as..."

Gallery

  • Interior Bentley Continental Flying Spur (05 on)
  • Exterior Bentley Continental Flying Spur (05 on)
  • Exterior Bentley Continental Flying Spur (05 on)
  • Exterior Bentley Continental Flying Spur (05 on)

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Owners' reviews