2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Preview

It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

Bentley is the big success story among brands owned by Germany's Volkswagen AG, with the gorgeous new Continental GT boosting

The gorgeous Continental GT has boosted Bentley sales to never before experienced levels, a phenomenon the new Flying Spur will no doubt build upon. (Photo: Bentley Motors)

sales to never before experienced levels.

Still, its four figure tally won't grant it mass market status, a level of sales that Bentley no doubt is not interested in achieving. After all, part of its success is due to a high level of exclusivity. The very knowledge that a neighbour won't be backing out of his driveway in a new Continental is important to a Bentley customer, someone who buys into the legendary marque often as much for its coveted cachet as for the overall experience of owning one of the world's best performance coupes.

I've experienced first hand the "shock and awe" campaign the passing of a Bentley doles out on those surrounding. Most everyone

Like the Continental GT, the Flying Spur will pull eyeballs as much for being a Bentley as for its stunningly elegant styling. (Photo: Bentley Motors)

looks, and then looks again, peering as much at the car as those lucky enough to be inside. The new Continental GT pulls eyeballs as much for being a Bentley as it does for its stunningly elegant styling, an emissary of good taste that speaks highly of its owner.

The same can be said of the new Continental Flying Spur, just released by Bentley prior to its official launch in Geneva, next month. The new sedan looks fast, just like its two-door sibling an important target now realized by Bentley's head of design, Dirk van Braeckel.