W.O. Bentley's famous words, 'To build a fast car, a good car, the best in its class,' remind us once again as we review the 2010 Bentley Continental Flying Spur, a four-door luxury saloon with neck-snapping speeds and enough luxury to make any maharaja jealous. The Continental Flying Spur is a testament to the brand’s enduring commitment to excellence and its relentless pursuit of achieving automotive perfection. So, lurking underneath its styled hood is a formidable 6-liter biturbo W12 engine that cranks a beastly 552 horsepower, enough to accelerate to 60 mph in a leisurely 5 seconds. Of course, being a Bentley, the Continental Flying Spur does it in style (or perhaps, luxury), courtesy of a whisper-quiet ride that soaks up undulating bumps and road imperfections like no one’s business. Prices are – or, in fact, were – as grand as the car itself, with base-level Flying Spurs fetching a cool $177,600 (before counting options). In used markets, though, it's a different story, with prices ranging between a bargain $25,000 to $30,000!
Bentley’s Continental Flying Spur debuted at the 2005 edition of the Geneva Motor Show as a four-door grand tourer alternative to the outgoing Bentley Continental GT (coupe) two-door. However, this is not the first time Bentley revived the four-door Grand Tourer nameplate. In fact, the concept harkens back to 1957 when the legendary Bentley (S1) Continental Flying Spur was born, which took inspiration from the legendary 1952 Bentley R-Type Continental (coupe). Thereby, Bentley established a niche in the luxury car segment – a performance-oriented, four-door grand tourer. Nevertheless, the first-gen 2005 Bentley Continental Flying Spur boasted 552 horses under its hood, the most by a production saloon – at its time. Soon, in 2008, Bentley queued in the Flying Spur ‘Speed’ variants that took the idea of ‘performance’ to newer heights. These 200-mph quicks boasted several tweaks and upgrades done under the hood for the sake of enhanced power and refined sportiness to those seeking greater thrills – all while retaining the undeniable Bentley sophistication. Eventually, the first-gen Continental Flying Spur continued until 2013, paving the path for the second generation.
Lift the Bentley's hood, and you'll find the Flying Spur's beating heart – a beefy 6-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine, rated at a staggering 552 horsepower and an earth-spinning 650 Nm of torque. The power is unleashed to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox, launching the land yacht to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. Flat-out, the Flying Spur would gracefully breach the 195-mph barrier. However, it’s not just straight-line dominance. Instead, the Flying Spur boasts an equally impressive handling prowess, honed on famous venues from around the world, including the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Nardo, and Grossglockner Mountain for an unmistakable sporting presence. Of course, complementing the immense pulling power is a gravity-defying stopping power as massive, ventilated disc brakes – the largest of their time – grip the 19-inch alloy wheels to bring the 5,400-pound grand tourer to a halt in no time.
Step inside the Flying Spur, and an awe-inspiring cabin unfolds before you. This Bentley comes loaded with the finest of exquisite Beluga hide leather (in up to 17 captivating color choices), gracing every nook and corner in a supple embrace. Leather-trimmed seats featuring intricate diamond-quilted patterns scream comfort, only to surprise you with a massaging (optional) and heated/ventilated functionality. Meanwhile, wrapping the cockpit is Bentley's legendary woodwork, spreading rich wood veneers over the dash, center console, and upper door trims in a symphony of craftsmanship. A timeless Breitling clock perched atop the center completes the classic aesthetics, adding a touch of elegance amidst a technology-laced interior. Eventually, the luxury flows towards the back, treating the rear passengers with two-zone climate control, fold-down picnic tables, heated/ventilated seats, and an (optional) fridge to store your favorite champagnes for celebrating your newest business acquisition!
A quick tour of the Flying Spur’s sleek, quite majestic outside would reveal that it is no ordinary vehicle. By striking a perfect balance between classic Bentley DNA and a modern flair, the Flying Spur stands as a timeless icon in the luxury motoring realm. Upfront sits a poised matrix grille – an iconic Bentley hallmark – gleaming in chrome, reminiscing of a knight’s visor. Meanwhile, flanking it are twin crystal-like bi-xenon headlamps that illuminate the road ahead with aristocratic precision. Still, the Bentley’s profile exudes aerodynamics, evident through its swooping hood that cascades into a sleek, low roofline for a streamlined and commanding presence. As you circle it, you’re greeted by gleaming multi-spoke 19/20-inch (optional) alloy wheels, which fit snugly under the gracefully contoured wheel arches. Finally, a sculpted rear end completes the picture, with LED taillights forming a harmonious blend with the dual oval-shaped exhausts that further amplify the Bentley’s elegant aesthetics.
Of course, a Bentley isn’t one unless it features a feast of cutting-edge technology to complement its equally opulent looks. These include a driver infotainment system, displaying sat-nav, multimedia controls, and Bluetooth connectivity for the driver's ease and convenience. Also for the driver's convenience are heated/ventilated seats, a premium (NAIM) sound system, individual climate control, and more. Luckily, the Flying Spur prioritizes occupant safety, too, utilizing safety features like adaptive cruise control, rear-view parking cameras, airbags, seat-belt pre-tensioners, and ABS etc., ensuring a journey that is as secure as it is luxurious.
Back in its glory, the 2010 Bentley Continental Flying Spur commanded a strong 'entry level' price of $177,600. Of course, factor in the enticing optional extras, like the adaptive cruise control, NAIM sound system, 20-inch multi-spoke alloys, rear entertainment package, picnic tables, etc., and the price could truly soar past the $200,000 mark! However, fast forward to 2024, used Flying Spurs offer a fraction of the original price, with prices ranging from the low $20,000s to as high as $30,000 for well-preserved specimens. Interested in buying one? Discover the comprehensive Bentley listings at Exotic Car Trader to bask in utter luxury without breaking the bank!
The 2010 Bentley Continental Flying Spur represents the pinnacle of automotive excellence, harmoniously blending power, luxury, and a timeless design that turns heads wherever it goes. Exotic Car Trader is an online solution to your exotic car needs. Tired of haggling with private dealers and buyers? Luckily, Exotic Car Trader simplifies an in-depth car-buying process to guarantee an effortless car-buying journey. Users may also benefit from our expert car-selling services that follow the latest market trends for safe and secure dealing. So, if you're looking for something grand, something that screams attention in lowercase, the 2010 Flying Spur might just be your perfect match.
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