The Best Luxury-Sport Limo in the World?
It seems one brand's pain is another's gain. In this case, the poor sales VW has experienced with its fabulously well-executed (but
much criticized for even existing) Phaeton luxury car, have benefited sales of Volkswagen AG über-luxury division Bentley's stunning new Continental Flying Spur.
Last year, when it became apparent that Phaeton sales weren't going to pick up anytime soon, the German manufacturer offered its state-of-the-art Dresden manufacturing plant, previously exclusive to its flagship model, to Bentley in order to help appease the long waiting lists it was experiencing for its new "entry-level" four-door sedan. Bentley, respectful of its legendary brand heritage and the importance its customers place in its "Made in England" status, simply offered its clients the opportunity to jump the queue and have their new Flying Spur made in Germany. Apparently the marque's nouveau riche could hardly care, with the result being quicker deliveries for Bentley's Crewe-factory loyalists as well.
The new model has proven as popular as the two-door Continental GT coupe
that preceded it. Both feature a 552-horsepower 6.0-litre, 48-valve, DOHC, twin-turbocharged W-configured 12-cylinder engine, derived from the top trim level of that same VW Phaeton, which, in Bentley guise kicks out an equally impressive 479 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift actuated manual mode. Naught to 100 km/h takes a mere 5.2 seconds, about 0.4 seconds more than the coupe, and considering the car weighs in at 2,475 kilos (5,313 lbs),which is incidentally 65 kilos (143 lbs) more than the already substantial GT, this is a feat indeed. Top speed, an outrageous 312 km/h (194 mph), puts the large sedan into a rarified category of super-sedans, so it's no wonder the "haves" of the world simply have to own one.
And when
I heard word that one would soon end up in my care and keeping for the space of three days, I called on one of my favourite haves and told him he would be going for a ride. Having owned top-line models from almost every premium brand available, this friend could offer a unique insight that even I, who gets to drive all of these stratospherically priced automobiles yet couldn't justifiably put up the cash to purchase one, can't pretend to appreciate.
After a day of doing errands on my own, running around downtown from my postbox to the electronics/computer shop, a regular haunt, I was surprised at how easy the big sedan was to negotiate through dense city traffic and into crowded parking stalls. The Spur's Achilles heal is its length, however, spanning an incredible 5,307 mm (208.9 inches) from nose to tail, some 500 mm (19.7 inches) longer than the two-door GT. Much of that length is thanks to its stretched wheelbase, up 320 mm (12.6 inches) from the coupe's 2,745 mm (108.1 inches) to 3,065 mm (120.7 inches). It's taller than the GT too, at 1,479 mm (58.2 inches) rather than 1,390 mm (54.7 inches), a difference of 89 mm (3.5 inches). The four-door's width is more or less the same as the two-door, as expected, dropping a nominal 2 mm (0.08 inches). Personally, as easy as the Spur was to drive around town, I think I'd have enjoyed time spent being chauffeured while ensconced in the accommodating back seat more.
It seems one brand's pain is another's gain. In this case, the poor sales VW has experienced with its fabulously well-executed (but
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| Few will even attempt to argue against the Bentley Continental Flying Spur's stimulating design, but it's name is a bit long. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Last year, when it became apparent that Phaeton sales weren't going to pick up anytime soon, the German manufacturer offered its state-of-the-art Dresden manufacturing plant, previously exclusive to its flagship model, to Bentley in order to help appease the long waiting lists it was experiencing for its new "entry-level" four-door sedan. Bentley, respectful of its legendary brand heritage and the importance its customers place in its "Made in England" status, simply offered its clients the opportunity to jump the queue and have their new Flying Spur made in Germany. Apparently the marque's nouveau riche could hardly care, with the result being quicker deliveries for Bentley's Crewe-factory loyalists as well.
The new model has proven as popular as the two-door Continental GT coupe
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| While the 552-hp 6.0L W12 might be intimidating to some, it is beautiful to those who admire mechanical perfection. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
And when
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| The Flying Spur is looonnnnggggg!!! (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
After a day of doing errands on my own, running around downtown from my postbox to the electronics/computer shop, a regular haunt, I was surprised at how easy the big sedan was to negotiate through dense city traffic and into crowded parking stalls. The Spur's Achilles heal is its length, however, spanning an incredible 5,307 mm (208.9 inches) from nose to tail, some 500 mm (19.7 inches) longer than the two-door GT. Much of that length is thanks to its stretched wheelbase, up 320 mm (12.6 inches) from the coupe's 2,745 mm (108.1 inches) to 3,065 mm (120.7 inches). It's taller than the GT too, at 1,479 mm (58.2 inches) rather than 1,390 mm (54.7 inches), a difference of 89 mm (3.5 inches). The four-door's width is more or less the same as the two-door, as expected, dropping a nominal 2 mm (0.08 inches). Personally, as easy as the Spur was to drive around town, I think I'd have enjoyed time spent being chauffeured while ensconced in the accommodating back seat more.