Luxury cars are often aimed at providing comfort and amenities to passengers, with modern cars offering separate climate zones as well as seating options like heating, ventilation, and massages. Being a luxury car, these amenities were naturally expected of a Bentley; however, the Flying Spur variants were created to be the most driver-oriented machines, providing comfort as a passenger and luxury as a driver. Bentley has maintained an unwavering commitment to producing All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) vehicles since the inception of the second generation of the Flying Spur. This has become the USP for the model, and the majority of power enhancements completed by the company revolve around the car’s ability to navigate treacherous terrain. Maintaining a classic sedan design, the Flying Spur has since become popular in the automotive industry, with Bentley's engine performance complemented by the comfort amenities, properly fulfilling the needs of a luxury car.
The Bentley Continental GT was by far the most successful car the company had created by 2005, and its unique design became the inspiration for the company’s production. However, since the GT was manufactured as a 2-door coupe, the company had to act according to the market trend of a 4-door variant to maintain its popularity. Therefore, the Flying Spur, originally known as the Continental Flying Spur, was launched in 2005, and the current production of the third-generation Flying Spur is a testimony to the success Bentley was able to reach with its sedan variant. Upon its departure from Vickers’, Bentley chose luxury over performance under the new ownership of Volkswagen, as the company had faith in its ability to produce high-performing engines. However, the luxury part, including cutting-edge technology, was not on par with industry standards, so Bentley intended to change that through innovation.
Housing a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the 2017 Bentley Flying Spur was capable of producing over 500 HP. Understandably, the traction control on this car was immaculate, given that this sedan weighed over 5,400 lbs; however, the torque required to balance this monster had to be massive as well. Thankfully, the V8 combustion engines of the Flying Spur were able to produce a torque of 487 lb-ft, substantially improving handling and providing much-required support to the air suspension system. When a car is housing a V8 engine, tremendous acceleration would normally be expected as well, specifically if the car was also supported by an AWD system. This Bentley model did not disappoint in this aspect either, with the car reaching 100 KMPH from 0 KMPH in around 4.9 seconds. Furthermore, this supersonic release of horsepower was also the reason why the car had a top speed of almost 183 mph, which was not only maintained very well but the balance of the tires meant that control on edges was immaculate as well. However, by far the most liked and enjoyed aspect of this generation Flying Spur has been the All-Wheel-Drive drivetrain. Using an 8-speed automatic transmission system with the option to opt for a manual shifting mode as well, the car is able to equally transmit power to all its wheels, truly allowing a scrumptious drive even in rugged terrains. This limousine-like drive is further complemented by the use of fancy technology, namely adaptive control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning, amongst other controls. This doesn’t cause a dependency on technology; rather, it only complements the driving for an even smoother experience. The only issue carried forward from the previous year is, however, the fuel efficiency dilemma. The 2017 Flying Spur can only manage 13 mpg on its 23.8-gallon tank; however, this figure is somewhat improved on the highway where the car is expected to deliver over 20 mpg. This normally wouldn’t be expected to be a big deal, considering the V8 engine is maneuvering a vehicle weighing over 5000 lbs, and assuming that the car would be able to complete around 380 miles on a full tank, should be sufficient enough from a luxury car offering these many amenities.
Bentley seldom misses the chance to flex its artistry with the wooden veneers and the complemented leather seats, considering it has been a symbol of British Luxury. However, the wooden veneers and leather seats not only complement the company's design but are practical as well, with the leather seats offering better ventilation and heating options while the veneers make cleaning easier. The car also comes equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system which not only allows navigation access but acts as a remote for dual-zone climate control as well. The car also provides options for further upgrades with rear-seat infotainment upgrades and customization to the leather and wood. All this doesn’t come cheap, though, as the 2017 Bentley Flying Spur is currently available in the market for around $191,725.
There are little doubts about Bentley’s capability to produce supercharged engines, as these cars are made to last a lifetime and an old Bentley would be running excellently if maintained properly. Therefore, the only issue remains whether buying a 2017 Flying Spur would be prudent if newer versions are available in the market. Luxury cars seldom lose substantial market value, and the 2017 Bentley Flying Spur is within that category. From the twin-turbocharged engine to the spacious seating, this car is an excellent buy as it can withstand different terrains while also providing that luxurious look. However, it is imperative to be prudent when buying old cars, and therefore, it is recommended to go through Exotic Car Trader whenever buying or selling vehicles as we can not only help you get the correct price but also ensure the quality and condition of your vehicle through our inspection services.
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