Back in the 2000s, reaching 200-mph barriers was an exclusive club reserved for hypercars. Sedans, on the other hand, were all about comfort and practicality – or performance, at most. But then came Bentley, who shattered this ceiling with the 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed, a four-door luxury saloon that embraced the deep growl of a supercar and the serene luxury of an Emirates first-class suite. So, putting supercar owners to shame was a routine task for the Flying Spur Speed, now thanks to an updated beefy 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12 that produced a beastly 600 horsepower. All this action-packed performance in a saloon with massaging seats seems quite absurd, a word not found in Bentley’s dictionary. Of course, a Bentley this grand meant an equally grand price, and so the 200-mph Flying Spur Speed retailed at a strong $218,300 (excluding options). Still, thanks to depreciation, used examples can be sourced from around $40,000 – $50,000, based on mileage, condition, and prior ownership.
Originally unveiled at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur was a sleek, equally opulent four-door alternative to the Bentley Continental Coupe. Appealing to those with a finer taste in performance (and bottomless bank accounts), the Continental Flying Spur offered a touch of the ‘grand touring’ experience for more than just two people. With a beefy 6-litre twin-turbo W12 engine under the hood, the Flying Spur was overwhelmingly fast – we're talking 'fastest-production-sedan-ever' fast! So, this 190-mph machine offered crazy-fast speeds without sacrificing the Bentley ‘essentials’, which included exceptional craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and an understated style, all whilst seating four passengers. Eventually, in 2008, Bentley took it a step further, introducing the Flying Spur Speed, which boasted meticulous upgrades and tunes done to the driving dynamics, all in the name of 'Speed'. The result was a 602-horsepower Bentley with remarkable speeds of up to 200 mph, an impressive feat for its time. Still, some 1,155 Flying Spur Speed models ever came off the Crewe lot, making it an exclusive and sought-after among collectors.
Under the hood, the Flying Spur Speed boasts an updated, quite revised 6-litre W12 engine fed by twin-turbochargers to produce a screaming 602 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque, which – according to Bentley – is nine percent greater power than the non-Speed Flying Spur variants. Still, a six-speed automatic gearbox routes the power to all four wheels, thrusting the 2.5-ton saloon to 60 mph in a blistering 4.5 seconds. And flat-out, the Flying Spur Speed would achieve remarkable speeds of up to 200 mph. However, that’s not all. The Flying Spur Speed receives a ton of performance upgrades that include a sharpened suspension, lowered ride height, updated engine management system, fine tuned Servotronic power steering, advanced ECP, a new ‘Dynamic Mode’, stiffer chassis and bushings, and bespoke Pirelli P Zero’s, ensuring the Speed’s prodigious power translates to motion with grace.
It's not just crazy-fast speeds, though, but a sanctuary of luxury that waits within. So, inside, a subtle demonstration of soft-touch, sumptuous leather cascades across the cabin, gift-wrapping the seats, dashboard, centre console, pillars, and steering wheel in no less than eleven uniquely exquisite hand-stitched leather hides. This ‘cow-graveyard’ harmonizes fine British craftsmanship, embracing stitched ‘Speed’ badges and silver, extremely solid controls and dials peppered across the cockpit. Meanwhile, rich-in-grain wood veneers spread across the dash and centre to offer a warm, quite natural contrast to the sophisticated leather-adorned aesthetic. Of course, such luxury extends to the rear occupants, pampering them in leather-lined seats, dual-zone climate control, and – of course – picnic tables.
Complementing a well-laid-out interior is an equally exuberant, quite elegant exterior that graces muscular lines and subtly aggressive stance, hinting at the Flying Spur Speed's formidable capabilities. So, sitting up front is a proud Bentley matrix grille showered in chrome, flanked on either side by dual-round headlights that house state-of-the-art bi-xenon lamps and crystal-like DRLs. Accentuating the Speed’s aura, however, are the enlarged vents and a sculpted mile-long hood for an otherworldly front-end appearance. Also, the Speed sits on a new set of 20-inch multi-spoke alloys clad in P Zero’s and finished in dark tints to complete a stunning, classy side profile aesthetic. Also on the sides are slightly flared wheel arches, perfected with muscular creases and a low, stretched roofline that speaks volumes of the Bentley’s streamlined and aerodynamic elegance. Finally, at the rear, a rifled sports exhaust couples with the flanking elliptical taillights to create a visual harmony that is both sophisticated and commanding.
An orchestra of cutting-edge tech works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the Flying Spur Speed embodies the zenith of modernity without compromising its 'classic' personality. So, upping the ante on luxury are amenities like a 15-speaker NAIM sound system, heated/ventilated seats (with 16-way power and massage functionalities), adjustable air suspension, and an interactive infotainment screen featuring Bluetooth connectivity and sat-nav. Still, the Flying Spur Speed prioritizes safety, too, utilizing features including cruise control, ABS, backup camera, two-stage unlocking, and stability/traction control, offering optimal protection and peace of mind as you glide down the road getting massaged for free.
The 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed came in at a grand $218,300 (base price). However, dare add options, like the $16,500 carbon-ceramic brakes, a $1,300 backup camera, a $7,700 rear entertainment package, or $2,580 for the rear picnic tables, and the cost could easily balloon past the quarter-million-dollar mark. Fast forward to today and the dream becomes two steps closer to achievable. So, well-preserved Flying Spur Speed examples now trade hands at a little above $50,000, while high-mileage examples can be found for as low as $35,000. Intrigued enough? Discover the comprehensive Bentley listings at Exotic Car Trader to make your exotic car dream a reality.
It is safe to say that the 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed offers a remarkable fusion between performance and luxury, further solidifying Bentley’s dedication to achieving excellence. Exotic Car Trader provides an online solution to your exotic car dreams. It simplifies the car-buying experience by highlighting a straightforward buying process, eliminating the daunting need for haggling with private customers. Moreover, it highlights a detailed step-by-step car-selling guide to guarantee a satisfying car-selling experience. With an engine powerful enough to leave supercars to shame and the luxury of a palatial estate, the Flying Spur Speed is more than just a saloon – it’s a statement.
Exotic Car Trader is the fastest growing marketplace built specifically for automotive enthusiasts. Click below to learn how you can sell your car with us.
LEARN MORE
