Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 (A) Review
13 Dec 2013|19,638 views
The BMW 7 Series or the Mercedes Benz S-Class isn’t exclusive enough for you? Or perhaps you want a peace of mind of having a four-wheel drive in your luxury sedan? Then perhaps the folks at Bentley have just the car for you…
The Flying Spur is essentially the more prim and proper version of the Continental GT Coupe, and it sure as hell isn’t too stodgy like a Roller. The car is something an English Premier League footballer might trade in his Bentley Continental GT for after he retires and needs four doors and more comfort for his aching joints.
Or perhaps he still wants to be able to tell his mates that he has a 6.0-litre W12 under the hood, and that he can still kick their asses in a traffic light shootout as easily as he would in a soccer game.
Exterior
While not obvious on first glance, the designers of the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur were given a clean sheet of paper for the sheet metal. But why mess with a classic?
The Flying Spur is essentially the more prim and proper version of the Continental GT Coupe, and it sure as hell isn’t too stodgy like a Roller. The car is something an English Premier League footballer might trade in his Bentley Continental GT for after he retires and needs four doors and more comfort for his aching joints.
Or perhaps he still wants to be able to tell his mates that he has a 6.0-litre W12 under the hood, and that he can still kick their asses in a traffic light shootout as easily as he would in a soccer game.
Exterior
While not obvious on first glance, the designers of the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur were given a clean sheet of paper for the sheet metal. But why mess with a classic?
The signature four headlamps front fascia remain, looking nearly identical to its predecessor. But the rear of the car and greenhouse have been re-penned to look tighter and more dynamic.
It's a nice-looking car in an understated kind of way. The sharp edges and creases of the bodywork hint of the power beneath, looking just as purposeful as before. In a way, it’s just all the visual clues that add up to give it the muscular stance without losing its elegant appeal.
The massive two-piece 21-inch rims wrapped with Pirelli rubber, the massive dual oval tailpipes and the fender vents with the stylised Flying-B logo all point to the fact that it’s poised for action…
Interior
Swing open the heavy doors and the cabin is what you'll expect from a car costing twice as much as a five-room HDB flat in Sengkang. Yes, the fit and finish in, say, an Audi A8 may be class-leading and excellent but the interior finishing of the Flying Spur is a class above.
It isn't just about how well everything is put together but how luxurious it is to the touch. The test car was a Mulliner edition, which gets one knurled gear lever, drilled alloy pedals and diamond-quilted seats. Not only does the quilted leather look good, the feel is soft and comfortable due to a layer of sponge applied beneath the Connelly.
Although the Flying Spur will most likely be self-chauffeured, there has been no expense spared for those travelling in the rear of the car. Our test car was fitted with optional LCD screens and DVD/media players complete with wireless headphones so your little prince and princess won't squabble over what to watch on that journey to ballet or golfing lessons.
Swing open the heavy doors and the cabin is what you'll expect from a car costing twice as much as a five-room HDB flat in Sengkang. Yes, the fit and finish in, say, an Audi A8 may be class-leading and excellent but the interior finishing of the Flying Spur is a class above.
It isn't just about how well everything is put together but how luxurious it is to the touch. The test car was a Mulliner edition, which gets one knurled gear lever, drilled alloy pedals and diamond-quilted seats. Not only does the quilted leather look good, the feel is soft and comfortable due to a layer of sponge applied beneath the Connelly.
Although the Flying Spur will most likely be self-chauffeured, there has been no expense spared for those travelling in the rear of the car. Our test car was fitted with optional LCD screens and DVD/media players complete with wireless headphones so your little prince and princess won't squabble over what to watch on that journey to ballet or golfing lessons.
There is leg and head room aplenty, of course, and there's even a nifty touch screen remote that pops out of its holder located near the rear air-con vents that allows the towkay in the rear seat to adjust the climate control to his liking.
At idle, you'll be hard pressed to tell if the engine is running. Even when on the move, there is no trace of engine or exhaust note - the biggest contribution of noise in the cabin are probably the blower fans. In a nutshell, the cabin is just sumptuous and in line with what you will expect when travelling or flying first class.
At idle, you'll be hard pressed to tell if the engine is running. Even when on the move, there is no trace of engine or exhaust note - the biggest contribution of noise in the cabin are probably the blower fans. In a nutshell, the cabin is just sumptuous and in line with what you will expect when travelling or flying first class.
The Drive
When a car has a 6.0-litre twin turbocharged W12 producing 616bhp coupled with 800Nm of torque, there is no way you can complain that there isn't enough grunt. The factory claims a century sprint time of just 4.3 seconds and while we don't doubt it to be true, it doesn't feel that fast.
Perhaps it's how well the speed is masked and how quiet the W12 engine is. Or maybe it's due to the hefty 2.5 tonne weight (that’s like two Honda Jazzes).
Sporting the same powerplant as the Continental GT Speed, there's more torque and the engine power is up from 552bhp. Thus, to go with the uprated engine, the gearbox is now a ZF eight-speeder that allows for an even more seamless flow of uninterrupted power (the predecessor had a six-speed autobox). But it's not just the way it puts the power down in any effortless manner, but how the car doesn't feel any bigger than, say, a BMW 5 Series when on the go.
Thanks to full time four-wheel drive with a 40:60 static torque split (up to 65 percent can be transferred to the front and 85 percent to the rear), the car remains very rear-biased without compromising on grip. Thus, hurling the biggish car around bends can still be a fun thing to do.
However, braking could be better as it takes a mighty hard shove on the drilled alloy pedal for meaningful retardation.
When a car has a 6.0-litre twin turbocharged W12 producing 616bhp coupled with 800Nm of torque, there is no way you can complain that there isn't enough grunt. The factory claims a century sprint time of just 4.3 seconds and while we don't doubt it to be true, it doesn't feel that fast.
Perhaps it's how well the speed is masked and how quiet the W12 engine is. Or maybe it's due to the hefty 2.5 tonne weight (that’s like two Honda Jazzes).
Sporting the same powerplant as the Continental GT Speed, there's more torque and the engine power is up from 552bhp. Thus, to go with the uprated engine, the gearbox is now a ZF eight-speeder that allows for an even more seamless flow of uninterrupted power (the predecessor had a six-speed autobox). But it's not just the way it puts the power down in any effortless manner, but how the car doesn't feel any bigger than, say, a BMW 5 Series when on the go.
Thanks to full time four-wheel drive with a 40:60 static torque split (up to 65 percent can be transferred to the front and 85 percent to the rear), the car remains very rear-biased without compromising on grip. Thus, hurling the biggish car around bends can still be a fun thing to do.
However, braking could be better as it takes a mighty hard shove on the drilled alloy pedal for meaningful retardation.
That said, the brakes are perfect when tooling around town. The suspension setup has also been completely revised. Spring rates and bushing have been softened but for those who prefer a more controlled ride, the dampers are four-stage adjustable. But whatever the setting, small road imperfections do make their presence felt, perhaps due to the large wheels.
The fixed position paddle shifters allow for manual control but for a car of its stature, it's best to just let the massive torque (available from just 2,000rpm) and electronic brain do the work while you sit back and let the car reel the horizon in.
Conclusion
The Flying Spur is clearly aimed at those who want more than just a car that's capable of doing a top speed of 320km/h on the North-South highway or a television screen in the rear seat.
Do you really need a 616bhp W12 that will struggle to achieve more than 4km/L in real world conditions? Or pay $40,000 for the optional 1,100W 13-channel Naim audio system? We reckon it's all about the nuances and the appreciation of the finer things in life.
For the privileged few in this category, the cruiser that offers top notch workmanship and power in reserve is definitely something to consider.
The fixed position paddle shifters allow for manual control but for a car of its stature, it's best to just let the massive torque (available from just 2,000rpm) and electronic brain do the work while you sit back and let the car reel the horizon in.
Conclusion
The Flying Spur is clearly aimed at those who want more than just a car that's capable of doing a top speed of 320km/h on the North-South highway or a television screen in the rear seat.
Do you really need a 616bhp W12 that will struggle to achieve more than 4km/L in real world conditions? Or pay $40,000 for the optional 1,100W 13-channel Naim audio system? We reckon it's all about the nuances and the appreciation of the finer things in life.
For the privileged few in this category, the cruiser that offers top notch workmanship and power in reserve is definitely something to consider.
The BMW 7 Series or the Mercedes Benz S-Class isn’t exclusive enough for you? Or perhaps you want a peace of mind of having a four-wheel drive in your luxury sedan? Then perhaps the folks at Bentley have just the car for you…
The Flying Spur is essentially the more prim and proper version of the Continental GT Coupe, and it sure as hell isn’t too stodgy like a Roller. The car is something an English Premier League footballer might trade in his Bentley Continental GT for after he retires and needs four doors and more comfort for his aching joints.
Or perhaps he still wants to be able to tell his mates that he has a 6.0-litre W12 under the hood, and that he can still kick their asses in a traffic light shootout as easily as he would in a soccer game.
Exterior
While not obvious on first glance, the designers of the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur were given a clean sheet of paper for the sheet metal. But why mess with a classic?
The Flying Spur is essentially the more prim and proper version of the Continental GT Coupe, and it sure as hell isn’t too stodgy like a Roller. The car is something an English Premier League footballer might trade in his Bentley Continental GT for after he retires and needs four doors and more comfort for his aching joints.
Or perhaps he still wants to be able to tell his mates that he has a 6.0-litre W12 under the hood, and that he can still kick their asses in a traffic light shootout as easily as he would in a soccer game.
Exterior
While not obvious on first glance, the designers of the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur were given a clean sheet of paper for the sheet metal. But why mess with a classic?
The signature four headlamps front fascia remain, looking nearly identical to its predecessor. But the rear of the car and greenhouse have been re-penned to look tighter and more dynamic.
It's a nice-looking car in an understated kind of way. The sharp edges and creases of the bodywork hint of the power beneath, looking just as purposeful as before. In a way, it’s just all the visual clues that add up to give it the muscular stance without losing its elegant appeal.
The massive two-piece 21-inch rims wrapped with Pirelli rubber, the massive dual oval tailpipes and the fender vents with the stylised Flying-B logo all point to the fact that it’s poised for action…
It's a nice-looking car in an understated kind of way. The sharp edges and creases of the bodywork hint of the power beneath, looking just as purposeful as before. In a way, it’s just all the visual clues that add up to give it the muscular stance without losing its elegant appeal.
The massive two-piece 21-inch rims wrapped with Pirelli rubber, the massive dual oval tailpipes and the fender vents with the stylised Flying-B logo all point to the fact that it’s poised for action…
Interior
Swing open the heavy doors and the cabin is what you'll expect from a car costing twice as much as a five-room HDB flat in Sengkang. Yes, the fit and finish in, say, an Audi A8 may be class-leading and excellent but the interior finishing of the Flying Spur is a class above.
It isn't just about how well everything is put together but how luxurious it is to the touch. The test car was a Mulliner edition, which gets one knurled gear lever, drilled alloy pedals and diamond-quilted seats. Not only does the quilted leather look good, the feel is soft and comfortable due to a layer of sponge applied beneath the Connelly.
Although the Flying Spur will most likely be self-chauffeured, there has been no expense spared for those travelling in the rear of the car. Our test car was fitted with optional LCD screens and DVD/media players complete with wireless headphones so your little prince and princess won't squabble over what to watch on that journey to ballet or golfing lessons.
Swing open the heavy doors and the cabin is what you'll expect from a car costing twice as much as a five-room HDB flat in Sengkang. Yes, the fit and finish in, say, an Audi A8 may be class-leading and excellent but the interior finishing of the Flying Spur is a class above.
It isn't just about how well everything is put together but how luxurious it is to the touch. The test car was a Mulliner edition, which gets one knurled gear lever, drilled alloy pedals and diamond-quilted seats. Not only does the quilted leather look good, the feel is soft and comfortable due to a layer of sponge applied beneath the Connelly.
Although the Flying Spur will most likely be self-chauffeured, there has been no expense spared for those travelling in the rear of the car. Our test car was fitted with optional LCD screens and DVD/media players complete with wireless headphones so your little prince and princess won't squabble over what to watch on that journey to ballet or golfing lessons.
There is leg and head room aplenty, of course, and there's even a nifty touch screen remote that pops out of its holder located near the rear air-con vents that allows the towkay in the rear seat to adjust the climate control to his liking.
At idle, you'll be hard pressed to tell if the engine is running. Even when on the move, there is no trace of engine or exhaust note - the biggest contribution of noise in the cabin are probably the blower fans. In a nutshell, the cabin is just sumptuous and in line with what you will expect when travelling or flying first class.
At idle, you'll be hard pressed to tell if the engine is running. Even when on the move, there is no trace of engine or exhaust note - the biggest contribution of noise in the cabin are probably the blower fans. In a nutshell, the cabin is just sumptuous and in line with what you will expect when travelling or flying first class.
The Drive
When a car has a 6.0-litre twin turbocharged W12 producing 616bhp coupled with 800Nm of torque, there is no way you can complain that there isn't enough grunt. The factory claims a century sprint time of just 4.3 seconds and while we don't doubt it to be true, it doesn't feel that fast.
Perhaps it's how well the speed is masked and how quiet the W12 engine is. Or maybe it's due to the hefty 2.5 tonne weight (that’s like two Honda Jazzes).
Sporting the same powerplant as the Continental GT Speed, there's more torque and the engine power is up from 552bhp. Thus, to go with the uprated engine, the gearbox is now a ZF eight-speeder that allows for an even more seamless flow of uninterrupted power (the predecessor had a six-speed autobox). But it's not just the way it puts the power down in any effortless manner, but how the car doesn't feel any bigger than, say, a BMW 5 Series when on the go.
Thanks to full time four-wheel drive with a 40:60 static torque split (up to 65 percent can be transferred to the front and 85 percent to the rear), the car remains very rear-biased without compromising on grip. Thus, hurling the biggish car around bends can still be a fun thing to do.
However, braking could be better as it takes a mighty hard shove on the drilled alloy pedal for meaningful retardation.
When a car has a 6.0-litre twin turbocharged W12 producing 616bhp coupled with 800Nm of torque, there is no way you can complain that there isn't enough grunt. The factory claims a century sprint time of just 4.3 seconds and while we don't doubt it to be true, it doesn't feel that fast.
Perhaps it's how well the speed is masked and how quiet the W12 engine is. Or maybe it's due to the hefty 2.5 tonne weight (that’s like two Honda Jazzes).
Sporting the same powerplant as the Continental GT Speed, there's more torque and the engine power is up from 552bhp. Thus, to go with the uprated engine, the gearbox is now a ZF eight-speeder that allows for an even more seamless flow of uninterrupted power (the predecessor had a six-speed autobox). But it's not just the way it puts the power down in any effortless manner, but how the car doesn't feel any bigger than, say, a BMW 5 Series when on the go.
Thanks to full time four-wheel drive with a 40:60 static torque split (up to 65 percent can be transferred to the front and 85 percent to the rear), the car remains very rear-biased without compromising on grip. Thus, hurling the biggish car around bends can still be a fun thing to do.
However, braking could be better as it takes a mighty hard shove on the drilled alloy pedal for meaningful retardation.
That said, the brakes are perfect when tooling around town. The suspension setup has also been completely revised. Spring rates and bushing have been softened but for those who prefer a more controlled ride, the dampers are four-stage adjustable. But whatever the setting, small road imperfections do make their presence felt, perhaps due to the large wheels.
The fixed position paddle shifters allow for manual control but for a car of its stature, it's best to just let the massive torque (available from just 2,000rpm) and electronic brain do the work while you sit back and let the car reel the horizon in.
Conclusion
The Flying Spur is clearly aimed at those who want more than just a car that's capable of doing a top speed of 320km/h on the North-South highway or a television screen in the rear seat.
Do you really need a 616bhp W12 that will struggle to achieve more than 4km/L in real world conditions? Or pay $40,000 for the optional 1,100W 13-channel Naim audio system? We reckon it's all about the nuances and the appreciation of the finer things in life.
For the privileged few in this category, the cruiser that offers top notch workmanship and power in reserve is definitely something to consider.
The fixed position paddle shifters allow for manual control but for a car of its stature, it's best to just let the massive torque (available from just 2,000rpm) and electronic brain do the work while you sit back and let the car reel the horizon in.
Conclusion
The Flying Spur is clearly aimed at those who want more than just a car that's capable of doing a top speed of 320km/h on the North-South highway or a television screen in the rear seat.
Do you really need a 616bhp W12 that will struggle to achieve more than 4km/L in real world conditions? Or pay $40,000 for the optional 1,100W 13-channel Naim audio system? We reckon it's all about the nuances and the appreciation of the finer things in life.
For the privileged few in this category, the cruiser that offers top notch workmanship and power in reserve is definitely something to consider.
Car Information
Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 (A)
CAT B|Petrol|6.8km/L
Horsepower
460kW (617 bhp)
Torque
800 Nm
Acceleration
4.6sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
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