Despite being built on the original D1 platform as the original 2005 Flying Spur, the second generation was thoroughly revised. Moreover, it got a nice update in 2015 that included changes to the exterior, interior and the drivetrain. That makes the 2016 Flying Spur the most advanced one before the third generation rolled out. Following the changes done to the Continental GT, the 2016 Flying Spur gets more power as well as better fuel economy. And while the visual changes are subtle, they still make a nice improvement with everything put together. On top of everything, the used prices have dropped well below six figures despite it costing well over $200,000 not too long ago. Considering that the Flying Spur is only comparable to the Rolls Royce Ghost which in most cases costs two times more than the Flying Spur, it makes the model quite a bargain even though it’s not exactly cheap. Once we go into more detail that will become pretty obvious, but before that, check out the ones currently for sale at Exotic Car Trader.
Both the Continental GT and the Flying Spur were one of the greatest success stories in modern automotive history. And while the Continental GT always stood as the fastest Bentley ever made, the Flying Spur was during most of its production, the fastest sedan in the world. That’s made even more impressive when we consider that the Flying Spur is not a sports sedan but an ultimate luxury vehicle. The 2016 Flying Spur is no different and essentially just builds upon the original Flying Spur, even being built on the same platform. However, in 2013 the second generation came out and was thoroughly redesigned both inside and out, plus the W12 engine was then mate to an 8 speed dual clutch transmission in place of the old 6 speed. A year later, another major update was under way and the 2016 Flying Spur got variable displacement, more power and further improvements all around making it the best of the second generation before it went out of production in 2018. The third generation is now built on an all new platform and while it’s better in every conceivable way, the 2016 Flying Spur is one of the last production years that keeps that original spirit which made the lineup so successful.
The 2016 Flying Spur’s interior is one of its main selling points making it the least likely part to disappoint anyone. Starting with the front, you get the same dashboard you will find in a Continental although now it’s much wider and more spacious. The wood and leather covered dashboard immediately makes it obvious to the driver where his money went, so does the gauge cluster going up to 210 mph. The gauge cluster is one of the parts that got a refresh in 2015 and now has much more crisp numbers with white lighting as well as a higher resolution OBC screen. The steering wheel is also pulled from the Continental and replaces the old four spoke with a much sportier three spoke featuring shifter pedals. Wool mats came as standard, and so did massaging front chairs. In a Flying Spur, the rear passengers are just as important so they get adjustable seats with optional massaging function and touch screen AC controls. Of course, options end at the same place as the customer's wallet so some Flying Spurs also got refrigerators, screens, tables, and more. And thanks to the Flying Spur’s sheer length, there is so much legroom in the back that it allows the rear seats to recline to a nearly horizontal position.
Before we cover all the interesting design details of the 2016 Flying Spur, we should first address its size which is more than impressive. This absolute unit is 87” wide and 209” long. To put that into perspective, it’s wider than the current Ford F350 and longer than the Escalade. And yet the massive exterior is by no means dull and boring. The front end features an appropriately sized Bentley grille which is interesting by itself, however, it’s complemented the round headlights with LED daytime running lights. Front bumper gets a huge single piece intake that’s very classy while also being aggressive. The side profile is almost as muscular as the Continental GT and the flying B wing vents sits there like a jewel. Enormous 21 inch wheels fill out the arches and the drooping roof line is reminiscent of the 1950s Bentleys. The rear now gets a nice diffuser with dual oval exhausts exiting from the bumper which is a detail only found on the most expensive vehicles. Overall, the Flying Spur looks just as expensive and it should without being vulgar as most sports sedans are. And even more interestingly, it’s not as benign as a Rolls Royce Ghost.
Although there was a brief trend of making super sedans in the 2010s, the Flying Spur was still faster than any of them. The 2016 Flying Spur especially since it gets 13 horsepower more from its new W12 engine. That makes for a total of 582 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. But then it needs all the power it can get weighing in at 5,346 pounds, nearly 2.5 tons. And yet, thanks to all that power and a sophisticated four wheel drive system, the 2016 Flying Spur sprints to 60 in less than 4.5 seconds. Not too long ago such performance numbers could have only been expected from a high end sports car or even a supercar. That’s especially true about the 2016 Flying Spur’s top speed which sits at 199 mph. Although we are pretty sure it will break 200 mph and Bentley just wanted to save the 200 mph threshold for the new 2016 Flying Spur Speed. But performance wasn’t the only improvement in 2015, efficiency is as well. The 2016 Flying Spur also gets cylinder deactivation where six cylinders can shut down when cruising for improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.
With a starting price of $225,000 back in 2016, the Flying Spur was in the top five most expensive sedans on sale at the time. Start adding options and the price quickly begins to jump by tens of thousands of dollars. However, the prices have come down quite a bit since then and you can easily find a well maintained 2016 Flying Spur for around $70,000 to $80,000. Those examples usually have around 30,000 miles on them, but generally speaking that’s nothing. Showroom examples will reach $90,000 and even $100,000 in some cases, but even that is rare. And while it’s true that the first generation is noticeably cheaper, it’s also very obviously outdated. On the other hand, the latest Flying Spur still costs around $200,000 even on the used market which makes the 2016 Flying Spur by far the best value all things considered.
The 2016 Flying Spur is just a tad slower than the latest model which, in the real world, is hardly noticeable. At the same time, it’s also noticeably more modern than the first generation, especially after the 2015 update. And considering the 2016 Flying Spur very near the low of its depreciation cycle, now is the best time to buy one. To do that, using Exotic Car Trader as your medium is one of the best options out there. Exotic Car Trader offers escrow protection, delivery and first inspection, not to mention everything is done online on your side. The same goes if you are selling a car through Exotic Car Trader, only in that case you also get a visit from a professional photographer regardless of which state you live in.
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
