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Old 01-18-2005, 09:15 AM   #1
Wutputt
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Default New 4-door Bentley Continental Flying Spur

A few tiny pics (I'm still waiting till I have/find the highres ones):


















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.
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Old 01-18-2005, 09:31 AM   #2
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This is such a beautiful car, to me is better than the two door version
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Old 01-18-2005, 11:46 AM   #3
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I'm a huge Bentley fan but i'm not too sure about this one
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Old 01-18-2005, 12:34 PM   #4
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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...
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Old 01-18-2005, 12:46 PM   #5
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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
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Old 01-18-2005, 12:53 PM   #6
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I think it bares a striking resemblance to the Maserati Quattroporte, especially in profile.
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Old 01-18-2005, 01:27 PM   #7
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It look better than the continental gt inmho , but it looks pale at the side of the Quattroporte
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Old 01-18-2005, 02:06 PM   #8
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Very nice, I was waiting for official pics but I didn't think it would be so early
Thanks for these infos
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Old 01-18-2005, 05:37 PM   #9
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looks ok but it wouldn't be the car I would want to buy in its market.
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Old 01-18-2005, 05:42 PM   #10
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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.
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Old 01-18-2005, 05:58 PM   #11
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Thats pretty damn sexy IMO!
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Old 01-18-2005, 06:15 PM   #12
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I think this car has understated elegance, and i like it! 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?) ?
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Old 01-18-2005, 06:16 PM   #13
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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.
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Old 01-18-2005, 06:25 PM   #14
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nothin like a Saloon spawned from a sporty GT...
I like it, but I think "Flying Spur" is kinda goofy
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Old 01-18-2005, 06:39 PM   #15
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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
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