Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005)

Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 2012
Overview
Manufacturer	Bentley Motors
Production	2005–present
Model years	2006-present
Assembly	Bentley Crewe, England, United Kingdom Transparent Factory, Dresden, Germany
Designer	Dirk van Braeckel
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	Longitudinal front-engine, Torsen permanent four-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group D1
Related	Bentley Continental GT Bentley Continental GTC Volkswagen Phaeton
Powertrain
Engine	6.0 L W12 twin-turbo
Transmission	6-speed ZF 6HP26A tiptronic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2006-Present 3,065 mm (120.7 in)
Length	2006-08: 208.9 in (5,306 mm) 2009-Present: 5,290 mm (208.3 in)
Width	2006-08: 75.4 in (1,915 mm) 2009-Present: 1,976 mm (77.8 in) (with mirrors folded)
Height	2006-08: 58.2 in (1,478 mm) 2009-2011 Speed: 57.7 in (1,466 mm) 2009-2011: 58.1 in (1,476 mm) 2012-Present Speed: 54.6 in (1,387 mm) 2012-Present: 1,398 mm (55.0 in)
Kerb weight	2,525 kg (5,567 lb) (kerb weight) 2,940 kg (6,482 lb) (gross vehicle weight)[1]

The Bentley Continental Flying Spur is a four-door variant of the Bentley Continental GT coupé. The Bentley Continental Flying Spur was introduced in 2005. This car shares its platform with the Volkswagen Phaeton, and its powertrain components are related to those on the Audi A8 and S8. It was designed by the same team as produced the Continental GT and Continental GTC.

Initial release

Continental Flying Spur (2005-)

Bentley Continental Flying Spur

The Bentley Continental Flying Spur is a large interiored four-door Grand Tourer with the performance of a sports coupé. The car is touted as a competitor to the Rolls Royce Ghost.

Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner interior

Other options include furniture-quality service trays with vanity mirrors and fold down lights, and a remote-controlled rear-seat entertainment system in the front row headrests.

The Continental Flying Spur is equipped with a 5,998 cubic centimetres (366.0 cu in) (6.0 litre) twin-turbocharged W12 engine. It produces a DIN-rated motive power output of 560 metric horsepower (412 kW; 552 bhp) at 6,100 rpm, and torque of 650 newton metres (479 lbf·ft) at 1,600-6,100 rpm. Torsen-based permanent four-wheel drive is standard. It will complete the standard sprint of 0–100 kilometres per hour (0.0–62.1 mph) in 5.2 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 312 kilometres per hour (194 mph).^[2]

Standard 4-wheel Adaptive Air Suspension and Continuous Damping Control (CDC)-(Skyhook suspension).

The vehicle was unveiled in 2005 Geneva Salon.^[3]

Sales began in Spring 2005.^[4]

2007 model year Continental Flying Spur, Mulliner Driving Specification (2006-)

Changes to Continental Flying Spur include: DVD-based satellite navigation system with post code-entry programming (replacing CD-based navigation system), wireless telecommunications with an integrated Bluetooth remote SIM access profile (rSAP) telephone system (optional rear-seat telephone), a new 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheel design becomes standard (optional chromed or bright-machined finish), extra body colour options from Bentley Arnage, new optional veneered picnic tables to the rear of both front seats include full range of veneers (including Chestnut), increased veneer option from 4 to 7, optional contrast stitching to the leather hides and choose to match the boot carpet to the cabin interior carpets.

Mulliner Driving Specification includes 20-inch 2-piece 7-spoke alloy sports wheels with 275/35 R20 sport tyres, standard veneer choices (Dark-stained Burr Walnut, Burr Walnut, Piano Black (additional upgraded veneers available at extra cost)), drilled alloy sport foot-pedals and footres, sporting gear lever finished in knurled chrome and hide, diamond quilted hide to seat facings, door and rear quarter panels; embroidered Bentley emblem to seat facings, indented hide headlining.

The vehicles became available to order in March 2006. Other individual features available in late 2006.^[5]

2009 Continental Flying Spur, Continental Flying Spur Speed (2008-)

Changes to Continental Flying Spur include: A new, more upright grille and bolder lower air intake, chromed headlamp bezels, optional bright chrome matrix lower grille, new rear bumper with wraparound brightware and black valance and bright tail lamp bezels, acoustic glass to side and rear windows, new acoustic tri-laminate undertray and wheelarch liners, retuned exhaust system, revised spring, anti-roll bar and damper settings; a new bespoke 19-inch Pirelli UHP tyre from 2008 Continental GT Speed, new design 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, retuned Servotronic power steering, new 'Sport Traction' mode from ESP 8.1 system, optional fade-resistant carbon ceramic brakes (only available on 20-inch wheels), optional radar-based full-speed range Adaptive Cruise Control with stop and go (Follow-to-Stop), optional Naim for Bentley audio system (1100 Watt amplifier, 15 custom-built Naim speakers including dual Naim sub-woofers, next-generation Digital Signal Processor), optional glovebox-located iPod, MP3 & USB infotainment system interface; new optional full width rear seat with electrically adjustable outboard positions and fixed central seat, park distance control system, optional contemporary style marquetry with crossbanding to door waistrails (Walnut & Chestnut veneers only), optional traditional style marquetry with crossbanding and inlay to fascia, door waistrails and upper centre console (Walnut & Chestnut veneers only), new chrome inlay strip to door waistrails, new two tone interior hide colour options, 2 new interior hide colours (Linen and Imperial Blue), seat piping now available in 16 colours, 3 new standard body colours (Havana, White Sand and Onyx) and duo-tone paint combinations (Havana, Dark Sapphire, Onyx and Midnight Emerald), optional rear-seat configuration with fully adjustable outboard positions and a fixed central seat, optional seat ventilation.

Continental GT Speed include increased engine power to 610 metric horsepower (449 kW; 602 bhp) at 6,000 rpm and 750 newton metres (553 lbf·ft) at 1,700-5,600 rpm - with a top speed of 322 kilometres per hour (200 mph) (up from 194 mph),^[6] making it the world's fastest four-door saloon.^[7] Acceleration time from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) is now 4.8 seconds. Bentley also claims that with its revised ESP system and suspension the Continental Flying Spur Speed is capable of handling over 0.95 g-forces of lateral acceleration on a 300-foot (91 m) skidpad. Other features include 10mm lowered ride height, uprated spring/damper settings and uprated anti-roll bars for improved agility and body control, 9.5Jx20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero performance tyres, retuned speed-sensitive Servotronic system, solid-mounted front subframe and stiffer rear bushings, ‘Dynamic’ mode introduced on the uprated Bosch ESP 8.1 Electronic Stability Programme with more progressive intervention, front grille and lower air intakes in dark-tinted chrome matrix, bright chrome grilles available as a no cost option, wider rifled sports exhaust tail pipes, 'Speed' treadplates to all four doors, 3-spoke Sport leather steering wheel, optional bright or dark tint aluminium fascia panel, drilled alloy sport foot-pedals, knurled chrome/hide gear lever; diamond quilted hide to seat facings and door panels.

Other options include carbon/silicon carbide brakes (CCB) (20x40mm cross-drilled front and 356x28mm rear brake discs, eight-piston callipers) (available only with 20-inch alloy wheels).^[8]

Continental Flying Spur Arabia, Continental Flying Spur Speed Arabia (2010-)

They are limited (50 units total) versions of Continental Flying Spur and Continental Flying Spur Speed respectively for Middle East market. Both models include exterior front fender badge, tread plate and ashtray lid badge with 'Arabia' signature; ventilated fluted seats, veneered picnic tables to the rear of front seats inset with vanity mirrors, chrome inlay strips to the door waistrails and deep-pile carpet mats with hide trimming, fuel cap in bright chrome with 'B' badge, additional valet key with limited functionality (restricted access to boot or glove box), optional Adaptive Cruise Control with 'follow to stop feature', a rear-view camera, iPod interface linked to the infotainment system and privacy phone handsets in the front and rear of the car.

Continental Flying Spur Arabia includes 14-spoke diamond alloy wheel.

Continental Flying Spur Speed Arabia includes bright silver 10-spoke 20-inch wheels.^[9]

2012 Continental Flying Spur (Speed), Series 51 (2011-)

Changes to Continental Flying Spur include Hard disk drive/DVD navigation system (dynamic navigation, Geotagged photographs from an SD memory card, Google Maps compatibility, 30GB on-board hard drive), a new touchscreen infotainment system (8-inch screen displays, 7-digit postcode entry, classic Bentley knurled rotary switches interface, music directly played and controlled from iPod/six-disc CD changer/SD card reader/HDD (max 15GB)), a new driver information panel (DIP) located in the main instrument cluster with TFT screen and vehicle controls.

Series 51 design options includes further customization options, including wood veneers or aluminium panels trims, exclusive limited-edition Sapelli Pomelle veneer, body colours duo-tone body paint options, graphite-finished nine-spoke 19-inch sports alloy wheel, twin Series 51 wing badges, blue brake callipers and front wing vents styled by Raul Pires. Initial options include 14 Series 51 designs from Continental GT and GTC.

The vehicles went of sale from March 2011.^[10]

The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Paris International Auto Salon.^[11]

Linley for Bentley limited edition Continental Flying Spur (2011-)

The limited (10 units produced) version of the Continental Flying Spur for the Chinese market incorporates several signature Linley elements. Designed by Mark Blanchard, Head of Design at Linley, customizations include Santos rosewood veneers on the fascia, console, waistrail, and roof console and integrated within the cars; a Linley Helix inlay at the waist-rails and picnic table, a rear console modified for a customer-commissioned Linley-designed humidor (humidification system, cigar cutter and ashtray), stainless steel Linley treadplates, a "Linley for Bentley" rhodium-plated plaque in the glove box, a stainless steel overlay of the Linley logo on the passenger fascia panel, modified fluting on the seats with burnt oak contrast stitching with additional burnt oak hide accentuating the storage areas and door pockets; a Linley branded leather bag with a cashmere blanket and other Linley items such as a leather luggage tag, and a built-in fridge set behind the arm rest and rear console with specially designed space for bottle storage.^[12][13]

Continental Flying Spur Speed Qatar Edition (2013-)

The Qatar Edition is a limited (5 units produced) version of the Continental Flying Spur Speed for the Qatar market, made in a collaboration with the official Bentley dealer of Qatar, Al Wajba Motors. It included grey paint and a red 'Bespoke' line, glossy black components in place of chrome, a black and white leather interior with red stitching, and Qatar Edition plaques.^[14]

Engines

Twin-turbocharged 6.0 liter 12-cylinder.

Beginning with 2011 Continental models, the W12 engines supports combinations of petrol and E85 bioethanol fuel types.^[15]

Transmissions

The steering column-mounted paddle shifters enable direct access to the six-speed gearbox when the ZF transmission is in “S” or sports mode.

Production

The Continental Flying Spur is exclusively hand built at Bentley's only manufacturing plant in Crewe, England. Briefly, due to a lack of capacity at the Crewe factory upon the car's introduction, some Flying Spurs destined for markets other than the USA and UK were built at Volkswagen's Transparent Factory in Dresden, Germany. This arrangement ended in 2006, when all assembly work reverted to Crewe.

As of 31 May 2006, a Continental Flying Spur became a chauffeuring VIP for Raffles Hotel.^[16]

During the first full-year sales of the Continental Flying Spur, the number of deliveries exceeded 4,500.^[17]

2013 update

Flying Spur (2013-)

Flying Spur
Overview
Production	2013-present
Assembly	Volkswagen Transparent Factory, Dresden, Germany
Designer	Luc Donckerwolke
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	Longitudinal front-engine, Torsen permanent four-wheel drive[18]
Platform	Volkswagen Group D1
Related	Bentley Continental GT Bentley Continental GTC Volkswagen Phaeton
Powertrain
Engine	6.0 L W12 TSI Twin-turbo[18]
Transmission	8-speed automatic[18]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,066 mm (120.7 in)[18]
Length	5,299 mm (208.6 in)[18]
Width	1,924 mm (75.7 in)[18] (mirrors folded)
Height	1,488 mm (58.6 in)[18]
Kerb weight	2,475 kg (5,456 lb)[18] (kerb weight)

2014 Bentley Flying Spur

Changes include increased engine performance (from Continental GT Speed); a ZF eight-speed transmission; a redesigned body with a lower, wider appearance with sharp lines and gently curvaceous surfaces; a new wing vent at the front fenders; new body structure including reinforcement to the B-posts, sills and front crossmembers combined with deformable components in the floorpan for optimal load transfer; a deployable aluminium bonnet that includes both new reinforcement panels and deformation elements; 600 new interior parts, lightweight acoustic underfloor panels, side glazing and both front and rear screens made in acoustic glass; a heating and ventilation system with a new Thermostatic Expansion Valve (with optional Climate Boost function), new 19" tyres with a 12% relative increase in sidewall height, suspension spring rates are softened front and rear by 10% and 13% respectively, anti-roll bars softened by 13% and 15% to improve single wheel impact absorption, suspension lever bushes all-round softened by at least 25% for reduced road noise and vibration, revised continuous damping control (CDC),and new 19-inch Classic wheels in bright-painted or diamond turned finishes (optional 20-inch five-spoke, 21-inch six-spoke and 21-inch ten-spoke wheels).

Flying Spur W12 Mulliner includes five additional hides, expanding the number of available shades to 17, five further wood veneers choices, 21-inch five-spoke two-piece alloy wheels, Mulliner name at treadplates and the chrome details on the wing vent, diamond-quilted seats and door panels with perforated hides, drilled alloy sports pedals and a knurled sports gear lever.^[19]

The vehicle was unveiled in 2013 Geneva Motor Show^[20][21] The car was presented to the public on March 5 at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.,^[22] followed by Auto Shanghai 2013,^[23] Barcelona International Motor Show 2013,^[24] 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power,^[25] Bentley Moscow dealership on Tretyakov Passage fourth,^[26] Bentley Stockholm.^[27]

The "Continental" prefix has been omitted from Bentley's promotional material for this facelift model. According to Bentley's designers, this was a conscious attempt to distance the Flying Spur - a 4-door limousine - from the 2-door Continental GT range^[28] (historically, the Continental name was generally used by Bentley to refer to 2-door models). The Flying Spur and Continental GT continue to share the same engineering platform.

Engines

Transmissions

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

• Bentley pages: Continental Flying Spur, Continental Flying Spur Speed, Flying Spur, Flying Spur W12 Mulliner
• BENTLEY Continental Flying Spur Speed - 2009 Test drive and review by Autoevolution.com
• Press kit: 2009 Continental Flying Spur/Continental Flying Spur Speed, Flying Spur