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| 2005
Bentley Flying Spur |
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| Overview |
| On
Sale Date |
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Summer 2005 |
| Body Style |
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Sedan |
| Category |
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Luxury Cars |
| Drivetrain |
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All-wheel drive |
| Engine |
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6.0-liter 550-hp twin-turbo W12 |
| Estimated Price |
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$165,000 |
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 At
the Geneva Motor Show in early March 2005,
Bentley first showed its newest addition,
the high-performance Continental Flying Spur.
A few weeks later the luxury sedan was shown
for the first time in America. Based on the
sexy Continental GT, the new Flying Spur brings
the coupe's styling to a luxurious 4-door
sedan.
The front-ends of the coupe and sedan prove
these cars are of the same pedigree. However
the sedan, with its two additional doors,
provides a very roomy rear seat and a cavernous
trunk. This is a car that could be chauffeur-driven,
but most who buy this will want to drive it.
The Flying Spur shares more than just styling
with the GT coupe. Under the hood sits the
same twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter 12-cylinder
engine that produces an impressive 552 horsepower
directed to the pavement through a full-time
all-wheel drive system. This is enough to
get this big sedan to 60 mph in less than
four seconds, and its top speed of 195 mph
makes the Flying Spur the fastest 4-door sedan
in the world. Impressive numbers, considering
this sedan weighs almost 5,500 lbs.
As expected in a Bentley, the Flying Spur
has a sumptuous interior trimmed with plenty
of beautiful wood and leather. The rear seat
has room for three; however, it can be configured
with two individual bucket seats with a center
console. Rear-seat passengers have their own
climate controls, heated seats and electro-mechanical
lumbar adjustment. Front seats can be adjusted
16 different ways, and can be heated or cooled.
The Continental Flying Spur and Continental
GT coupe are priced identically at around
$165,000. Yes, this is a lot of money for
most people; however, for a new Bentley it
is considered downright inexpensive.
The exclusive marque has found what some might
call the "sweet spot" in the market,
attracting buyers who want something a bit
more than a high-end Mercedes, but who are
not quite ready to plunk down $350,000 for
a new Rolls-Royce Phantom or Maybach. Currently
there is at least a six-month wait for the
Continental GT coupe, and officials expect
the sedan should be just as popular.
The Flying Spur will be available later in
2005. |
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