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View Full Version : New 4-door Bentley Continental Flying Spur


Wutputt
01-18-2005, 09:15 AM
A few tiny pics (I'm still waiting till I have/find the highres ones):


http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87281988/BentleyFlyingSpur33.jpg

http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87281988/BentleyFlyingSpur67.jpg

http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87281988/BentleyFlyingSpur73.jpg

http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87281988/BentleyFlyingSpur83.jpg

http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87281988/BentleyFlyingSpur93.jpg

http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87283043/BentleyFlyingSpur103.jpg

http://cars.msn.co.uk/pidl/87283043/BentleyFlyingSpur43.jpg



And some info:

Bentley has unveiled a new saloon, reviving a classic name from its history, badging it Continental Flying Spur. The all-new four-door Grand Tourer joins the Continental GT coupe and Arnage limousine in the Bentley range. A fourth model, a cabriolet based on the Arnage is anticipated to complete the Bentley range in 2006.

Pricing for the flying Spur is expected to be similar to that of the £112,750 Continental GT coupe that it shares much of its technology with. Most obvious is the sharing of the 6.0-litre, twin turbocharged, 12-cylinder engine which develops 552bhp, which gives the Flying Spur the ability to exceed 190mph. Unsurprisingly with all that power the Continental Flying Spur gets a version of the four-wheel-drive transmission of its GT coupe relative, too.

Design

Elegant and understated style was the aim of the design team and first impressions suggest they’ve been successful. The quad headlamp arrangement and bold grille of the Flying Spur are an unmistakable contemporary Bentley trademark, the rest of the car exhibiting stylish, yet muscular restraint. Bentley’s head of design, Dirk van Braeckel said: “We were very conscious that the Continental Flying Spur had to make a sporting statement when people first saw it – after all it’s a Bentley.”

He adds: “From the beginning, Bentleys have been quite reserved when it comes to design. It has always been recognised that Bentleys are much less ostentatious than rivals of similar price. The new Bentley Continental Flying Spur embodies that Bentley ethos of understated elegance.”

Inside

The interior is bedecked in the quality leathers and wood veneers that typify Bentley cabins, chrome bullseye ventilation outlets and organ stop controls ensuring the Flying Spur’s cabin is familiar to existing Bentley owners. Customers will be offered the choice of either a four seat layout with a central console between two electrically operated rear seats, or a full-width rear seat.

Standard equipment levels are comprehensive, with four-zone climate control and an advanced infotainment system, Chairman Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen stating: “The Continental Flying Spur has all the technology our customers will want and need. They will not have to trawl through an options list for hours with their dealer because everything is included. What they will enjoy, however, is the experience of tailoring the car to their taste and style.”

Engine

In addition to the sumptuous luxury of the interior the Continental Flying Spur offers supercar levels of performance. The 6.0-litre, W12-cylinder engine produces its maximum torque from just 1,600rpm, ensuring effortless pace. That mighty powerplant enables it to despatch the 0-62mph dash in around five seconds and reach speeds exceeding 190mph - should your meeting be in Germany. Bentley doesn’t quote a consumption figures yet, but except little more than 15mpg on a good day.

Four-wheel-drive ensures that all its power can be used, even in poor weather conditions, while air suspension allows you to adjust its levels on the move, from cosseting to sporting. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission that can either be left in fully automatic mode, or manually controlled by the driver via paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel, the Flying Spur will be able to morph from refined limousine to sports saloon when the mood takes you.

23790554
01-18-2005, 09:31 AM
This is such a beautiful car, to me is better than the two door version

sndr
01-18-2005, 11:46 AM
I'm a huge Bentley fan but i'm not too sure about this one

Fleischmann
01-18-2005, 12:34 PM
I think I prefer the 2 door version. Those two doors look as if they've been put there by force. I don't know why but something just doesn't look right in the design...

mv
01-18-2005, 12:46 PM
I knew it was set to be based on the GT coupe but I've still been hoping for something innovative...that's why I'm not that impressed :(

Ghostbat
01-18-2005, 12:53 PM
I think it bares a striking resemblance to the Maserati Quattroporte, especially in profile.

PATo355
01-18-2005, 01:27 PM
It look better than the continental gt inmho , but it looks pale at the side of the Quattroporte

yg60m
01-18-2005, 02:06 PM
Very nice, I was waiting for official pics but I didn't think it would be so early :D
Thanks for these infos :wink:

Toronto
01-18-2005, 05:37 PM
looks ok but it wouldn't be the car I would want to buy in its market.

mayer
01-18-2005, 05:42 PM
The Phantom has a lot more presence; I even like the Maybach more. I'm sure it's a great car, but it just doesn't look imposing. It's like the Chrysler 300C's daddy.

Pimp Racer
01-18-2005, 05:58 PM
Thats pretty damn sexy IMO!

styla21
01-18-2005, 06:15 PM
I think this car has understated elegance, and i like it! :D However, does anybody understand the rationale behind creating this car seeing it seems a direct competitor to the Arnage? :? Is this supposed to be a mid-range sedan that is a more attainable prce (Like 5 series BMW vs 7 Series?, E class vs S Class Benz?) ? :?:

5vz-fe
01-18-2005, 06:16 PM
I love it.....beats Rolls hands down. But of course, Bentley is always the sportier of the two, so I don't blame Rolls for having a blockish exterior.

findleybeast
01-18-2005, 06:25 PM
nothin like a Saloon spawned from a sporty GT...
I like it, but I think "Flying Spur" is kinda goofy

Ford Capri 2.8i
01-18-2005, 06:39 PM
I love the cars shape, the engine of it, the quality.....everything except the All Wheel Drive transmission (Typical of VAG Group) that ruins the car IMO.....the car would have been perfect if it was rear wheel drive and brutal as the Arnage T is

Stikz
01-18-2005, 07:03 PM
This is such a beautiful car, to me is better than the two door version

Definitely agree with you.

raphaelws
01-18-2005, 11:52 PM
good, much better with 4 doors..
to compare with who? Quattroporte?

mclaren_Gt
01-18-2005, 11:56 PM
this car very like me, looks pretty elegant, is better than the continental 2 dors, for me, very nice shot.

numerouno
01-19-2005, 01:44 AM
Woww this car looks soo elegant! I was not really a fan of the coupe, but with this one, I'm falling in love!!

Chaos in 1983!
01-19-2005, 03:01 AM
What is this going to compete with? Quattroporte? no...the Maserati is cheaper....I think this might go against the high end Merc S AMG class...either the 55 or 65 version...

IMO this car isn't that great at all, I never liked the GT and I don't like this 4 door version either...I think an old Arnage(not the one with the new round headlights) is a better buy than this, yes a bit more expensive, but well it's worth it...

TT
01-19-2005, 05:12 AM
High-res anyone?

http://img72.exs.cx/img72/6755/9209sz.th.jpg (http://img72.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img72&image=9209sz.jpg) http://img72.exs.cx/img72/4057/9210fo.th.jpg (http://img72.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img72&image=9210fo.jpg) http://img159.exs.cx/img159/5429/9228qo.th.jpg (http://img159.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img159&image=9228qo.jpg) http://img159.exs.cx/img159/6730/9230nt.th.jpg (http://img159.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img159&image=9230nt.jpg) http://img159.exs.cx/img159/5552/9247hx.th.jpg (http://img159.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img159&image=9247hx.jpg) http://img73.exs.cx/img73/1217/9258of.th.jpg (http://img73.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img73&image=9258of.jpg) http://img62.exs.cx/img62/4230/9322nv.th.jpg (http://img62.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img62&image=9322nv.jpg) http://img62.exs.cx/img62/4924/9282tn.th.jpg (http://img62.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img62&image=9282tn.jpg) http://img72.exs.cx/img72/5644/9292pu.th.jpg (http://img72.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img72&image=9292pu.jpg)

stradale
01-19-2005, 07:32 AM
Never been a fan of Bentleys (except the racing cars from the twenties) and this is not the car that will change my opinion. Despite its awful gearbox I'll take a Quattroporte over this in a second. Unlike dani I fail to spot any similarity between the two.

IMO This new Bentley is less ugly than the Arnage, the Rolls Royce Phantom and Maybach, but in the end it just looks like a stretched Continental GT. I understand Bentley is trying to fit its new design language to all models, but some differences to the front and rear would do the cars good. The public needs to able to tell them apart by looking at them straight from the front and the rear as well.

findleybeast
01-19-2005, 06:43 PM
Thanks for the Hi-res TT

Sir_GT
01-19-2005, 10:32 PM
Very good, but I disagree with one of the posts... it is not even close to the presence the RR Phantom has. In fact, the Quattroporte is still better looking.

This one would come a close third... would've been higher if the rear end was a bit more distinctive... it's too "Continental GT with doors for the mates."

mclaren_Gt
01-19-2005, 10:49 PM
Very good, but I disagree with one of the posts... it is not even close to the presence the RR Phantom has. In fact, the Quattroporte is still better looking.

This one would come a close third... would've been higher if the rear end was a bit more distinctive... it's too "Continental GT with doors for the mates."

mmm i think this has better look than quattroporte, the quattroporte is ugly, but im with sir_gt, the RR Phantom is much better in all things

ikon2003
01-20-2005, 12:47 AM
Nice hi rez pics.

I think it only makes sense for Bentley to push for this car, as the C GT has been so successful. Looks? Um, good. Stretched C GT, yes, but still pretty elegant. That's only if you can get that "Rover" image out of your mind.

Anonymous
01-20-2005, 01:17 AM
Very nice. . . the front end works better for 2 door, but it works here as well.

Yeah, the name is pretty awesome too :lol: . "Flying Spur"

szumszer
01-20-2005, 06:10 PM
understated ugliness, can't they come up with something original for 200.000, the coupe looks good, but this is awkward ... it's not in my price range anyway, so it is all good

martin100
01-21-2005, 08:23 PM
The front looks too similar to the GT IMO, but the rest is really nice.

ikon2003
01-22-2005, 12:18 AM
high res sketch of the flying spur (both old and new):

http://www.supercars.net/PicFetch?pic=2005_bentley_continental_flying_spur-3.jpg

sau_mathur
01-22-2005, 12:39 AM
How much would it cost ?? Not that im gonna buy one obviously. hehehe.. but interesting to see where it stands compared to the Quatroporte, the Vanquish and the Rolls Phantom.

5vz-fe says:
I love it.....beats Rolls hands down. But of course, Bentley is always the sportier of the two, so I don't blame Rolls for having a blockish exterior.

Dooooodeee... are u serious... u reckon it beats the Rolls hands down.. no way mate..!! THe new rolls is absolutely magnificent...!!! its soooo much better than the Bentley, or the Maybach .!!
Am i amongst a majority here or what ??

enfermin
01-22-2005, 06:46 PM
the coupe version of that car is totally beautiful.....

but with 4 doors???...........looks like a limo...........and in that case, i might choose the big masserati.......... 8)

findleybeast
01-22-2005, 06:50 PM
high res sketch of the flying spur (both old and new):

http://www.supercars.net/PicFetch?pic=2005_bentley_continental_flying_spur-3.jpg

sweet sketch. surprised it was one of supercars.net's public images

mindgam3
01-22-2005, 07:00 PM
I dont know why everyones complaining it looks like the GT, its SUPPOSED to look like the GT... it's just a 4 door version....

IMO, for the money, nothing touches it...

No point comparing it to the Rolls or Mayback, they're 3 times the price of this beauty

ikon2003
01-23-2005, 02:39 AM
high res sketch of the flying spur (both old and new):

http://www.supercars.net/PicFetch?pic=2005_bentley_continental_flying_spur-3.jpg

sweet sketch. surprised it was one of supercars.net's public images

no kidding - rare find. :)

as for competition? i'd say this gets some points for just being a bentley. i'd prolly take the Maser ahead of this, but both make the ultra luxes (rolls, maybach) look gaudily ornate (which is part of their purpose, i know)

neilo63
01-24-2005, 11:01 PM
Very nice car, i love it and the performance for a big ass car like this doesnt seem bad either. :twisted:

Sir_GT
01-24-2005, 11:42 PM
Very good, but I disagree with one of the posts... it is not even close to the presence the RR Phantom has. In fact, the Quattroporte is still better looking.

This one would come a close third... would've been higher if the rear end was a bit more distinctive... it's too "Continental GT with doors for the mates."

mmm i think this has better look than quattroporte, the quattroporte is ugly, but im with sir_gt, the RR Phantom is much better in all things

It's always nice to find somebody that agrees with you, but I do have to ask (no offense intended), have you actually seen the Quattroporte in the metal?

Because if you've only seen it in pictures, then I can understand why you think it looks ugly, because that's what I used to think as well, until I actually saw one on the road a few months back, then another one at the show room. Believe me mate, The Maser is one of those cars in which pictures cannot do it any justice. It is trully gorgeous from end to end. Period.

MercedeSChink
01-25-2005, 01:32 AM
this car looks awesome...but why!?

szumszer
01-25-2005, 04:49 PM
cause there are too many people out there with too much bloody money ... that is probably why ... i also like quattroporte better, but in the end i would probably go with an xjr or if it needed to be a bentley, then a used bentley arnage r (2002 or 2003, not 2004)