When it first came out in 2005, the Continental Flying Spur was the fastest production sedan money could buy. And it held that title for years until other manufacturers jumped in. But shortly after, the Bentley engineers decided to give the Flying Spur the same treatment they gave the GT, and that’s the Speed treatment. With that, the Flying Spur regained its title and held it at least until the 2012 Flying Spur Speed. The 2012 Flying Spur also got a thorough facelift both inside and out which even today make it look generations younger than the first model. The facelift Speed got revised suspension, transmission, steering and weight reduction to name just a few changes. As for prices, the 2012 Speed trim was some $30,000 more expensive than the standard Continental, and today, the price gap is even bigger and that alone goes to show just how special the 2012 Continental Flying Spur Speed is. But before we cover that in more detail, check if Speeds are available here at Exotic Car Trader in case you are considering one.
The name Speed first appeared on a Bentley nearly 100 years ago now. But ever since Rolls Royce took over, the name retired until the late 2000s when VW began steering the brand in the right direction. And the second model to get the name is the Flying Spur which got it in 2009. Both back then, and in 2012 the name Speed made the Flying Spur the fastest sedan in the world. However, the 2012 model year was included in the entire model lineup facelift together with the GT and the GTC. The facelift included more modern lighting elements both front and rear, slightly redesigned front end, and most importantly, a brand new interior and a new infotainment system. The model also got a thoroughly revised drivetrain, suspension and a bit of weight reduction. The 2012 is then miles better than the earlier models in every regard.
The interior is where most changes happened for the 2012 Continental Flying Spur Speed facelift. Most notably, it got a new three spoke steering wheel which looked both sporty and elegant, complimenting the brand’s new direction much better than the old four spoke wheel. The overall design still remained the same and that’s a good thing since the latest Bentley models have strayed away from the classic designed language. The infotainment system is another major change since it wouldn’t look out of place even in latest cars, unlike the old unit which looks more at home in an early 2000s Mercedes. The new infotainment system also brought a more modern navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and a trip computer. As for the rear passengers, they now got new power adjustable seats that were both cooled and ventilated. A dual zone AC was also standard while foldable tables and rear screens were optional. Other than those changes, the Flying Spur remained much the same inside which means as luxurious as cars get.
The exterior changes for the 2012 Flying Spur are subtle but definitely make a difference. The front headlights for example are still the same basic shape but now include round daytime running lights with individual LEDs. The front bumper now resembles those on the GT and GTC much more with triple air intakes making it look much more aggressive instead of going for the more elegant look. The rear end is also slightly redesigned with new LED tail lights and a reshaped grille between the exhausts. But other than that it remained the same apart from a chrome trim piece that extends into the side profile. The Continental Flying Spur Speed also gets the same wheels as the GT Speed which look much sportier but they are the same as they are on the 2009 model. And with everything put together, the 2012 Flying Spur Speed still looks like it came out yesterday, provided you don’t park it next to the latest Flying Spur.
The Flying Spur was always a fast car, but the Speed badge takes it to a whole new level. That’s largely thanks to the revised W12 engine which in the Speed makes 610 horsepower, 50 more than the standard model. It also pushes the engine to 550 lb-ft of torque which is good enough for a sprint to sixty in just 4.5 seconds. That’s even faster than the standard Continental GT and much faster than the GTC. And what makes the Speed the fastest sedan of its time is the top speed which sits at an even 200 mph. Of course, the sheer power isn't the only change as stopping a 5,456 pound vehicle isn’t an easy task. The standard front rotors on a Speed measure 16 inches while the optional carbon ceramic ones are 16.6 inches. The 2012 model also got revised steering, 0.4 inches lower ride height, thicker anti roll bar, stiffer suspension, subframe reinforcements and stiffer bushings. The 2012 Continental Flying Spur Speed is then noticeably improved over the earlier models in terms of handling.
We already mentioned that the Flying Spur Speed was noticeably more expensive than the standard one, and when it was new, it had a starting price of $215,000. Again, that’s $30,000 more than the standard Flying Spur. And even today the Speed badge demands a premium. You can easily pick up a standard 2012 Flying Spur for around $50,000 but a Speed will set you back at least $70,000 provided it’s in good condition. But those with low miles and in perfect condition can sometimes fetch six figures, which isn’t surprising considering the Speed is a much more collectible piece of equipment than the normal Flying Spur.
Ultimately, the 2012 Flying Spur Speed still packs some serious punch as even at that time, 600+ horsepower figures were reserved for supercars. And with the refreshed exterior and interior for the 2012 model year, the Flying Spur still looks brilliant to say the least both inside and out. Unfortunately, it’s nowhere near as big of a bargain as the standard Flying Spur which is something to keep in mind. But if performance is high on your priority list, Exotic Car Trader can help you buy your perfect Flying Spur Speed without any headaches. Exotic Car Trader provides escrow services, first inspection, delivery and more. All you need to do is make an online offer in a few clicks and the rest is on us. The same goes if you are looking to sell your car through Exotic Car Trader, only in that case we also send a professional photographer to your address.
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