2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Review

Before the Aston Martin Rapide took the super sedan crown, built based on the Aston Martin DBS, Bentley had done something similar earlier in 2005 with the Continental Flying Spur. Stretching the Continental GT created a luxurious 4-door powerhouse offering something that had been, for the longest time, a Continental GT character flaw, ample rear legroom and comfortable seating. The 2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur belongs to the first generation, which was introduced in 2005 and produced until 2013, when Bentley was just getting to make the second generation Continental. Underneath, it's basically an Audi S8/A8 with a behemoth of an engine sourced from VW, the 6.0-liter W12. But despite being an entirely new car, it retained the Continental GT's design cues. It wasn't until the third generation that the Flying Spur truly carved its own aesthetic path.

Perfectly Balanced Power And Refinement

Unlike the Continental GT, the 2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur was about effortless power that doesn't bother the cabin's tranquility. But this doesn't mean it isn't a performer. Power comes from a 6.0-liter W12 with 552 horsepower and 479 lb.ft, sending power to all four wheels via a permanent all-wheel-drive system. Besides lifting the engine from the Continental GT, Bentley also carried over the 6-speed automatic transmission, which, thanks to its quick-shifting capabilities, gave the Continental Flying Spur a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds during production and a top speed of 195 mph. Don't expect razor-sharp cornering, though, as it weighs nearly 5,500 pounds.

Stretched For Ultimate Comfort

Inside the 2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur, you are greeted by a symphony of textures. Leather graces the seats, door cards, center console, steering wheel, and dashboard with perfect uniformity in tone, color, and texture. Natural walnut wood veneers complete the picture, adding a touch of classic car charm and reminding you of Bentley's excellent craftsmanship. Sure, it has four doors; hence, the rear seats can be considered spacious, but the leg room can be a bit tight for tall occupants. But this is easy to forget with the generous amenities, for example, a split stereo system and, as seen in some examples, fold-down picnic tables behind the seats that elevate the second-row experience.

Continental GT DNA, Flying Spur Elegance

Anyone can tell that the 2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur borrows its design from its coupe sibling. It does make it kind of weird looking due to the odd proportions, but it has a sporty and elegant design from some angles, for example, the front end. On the side, the extended wheelbase maintains a sleek profile thanks to its tapered roofline, ensuring a proportionality balance between the front and rear end. Minor details contribute to the grandeur, such as the chrome grille, door handles, and exhaust tips. Like the front end, the rear end is basically a copy-paste of the Continental GT coupe, which might be a good or bad thing, depending on your preferences. But it's evidently bland.

Crafted For Every Need

As befits a luxury sedan, the 2008 Continental Flying Spur prioritizes occupant comfort with a wealth of features catering to every need. For starters, you get Sirius satellite radio, a restyled Breitling timepiece, Bluetooth with voice dialing, and a rearview camera for the navigation display, all of which Bentley introduced in 2008. Rear seat passengers are treated to heated and ventilated seats, though they miss out on the power adjustments and memory settings of the front seats, which also have heated and ventilated seats.

Luxury That's Practical And Inexpensive

Sure, it won't have the newest tech, and it isn't the best-looking Bentley, but the 2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur makes up for that and its other flaws with its affordability and cabin's luxury. Its market prices average $30,000, which is cheaper than a Continental GT from the same model year. It's even more practical. Exotic Car Trader offers some of the best Bentley listings in the market, including Continental Flying Spur listings. And with our regularly updated listings, finding an example that ticks all your boxes is a breeze.

Final Thoughts

Yes, there are a few trade-offs, like rear legroom that might be snug for taller passengers and an exterior that borrows heavily from the Continental GT. However, these become minor issues when you consider the 2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur's statement of success and distinction, being a Bentley, and its price that gives you more car for your money. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! From its inception as a refined and more customer-oriented alternative to the Continental GT, the Bentley Flying Spur has maintained its allure as not only a luxurious sedan but also one that adopts the sporting characteristic of the Continental lineage.