Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005)

Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Overview
Manufacturer	Bentley Motors
Production	2005–2012
Model years	2006-2013
Assembly	Bentley Crewe, England, United Kingdom Transparent Factory, Dresden, Germany
Designer	Dirk van Braeckel
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car (F)
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 the four-door saloon 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.

First generation (2005-2012)

Continental Flying Spur (2005–2012)

The Bentley Continental Flying Spur is a large interiored four-door GT notchback saloon. The car is touted as a competitor to the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

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 the 2005 Geneva Auto Salon as a 4-door notchback saloon.^[3]

Sales began in Spring 2005.^[4]

2007 model year Continental Flying Spur, Mulliner Driving Specification

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

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

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

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 on sale from March 2011.^[10]

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

Linley for Bentley limited edition Continental Flying Spur

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

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

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Type/code	Power@rpm, Torque@rpm
Continental Flying Spur	2005–	5,998 cc (366.0 cu in) W12 twin turbo	560 PS (412 kW; 552 hp)@6100, 650 N·m (479 lb·ft)@1600-6100
Continental Flying Spur Speed	2008–	5,998 cc (366.0 cu in) W12 twin turbo	610 PS (449 kW; 602 hp)@6000, 750 N·m (553 lb·ft)@1700-5600

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

Transmissions

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Types
Continental Flying Spur	2005–	ZF 6-speed automatic
Continental Flying Spur Speed	2008–	ZF 6-speed automatic

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]

Second generation (2013 - present)

Flying Spur
Overview
Production	2013-present
Assembly	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 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]

Flying Spur W12 (2013-present)

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 5 March 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 this second generation 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.

Flying Spur V8 (2014-)

The vehicle was unveiled in 2014 Geneva Motor Show,^[29] followed by 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed,^[30] 2014 New York International Auto Show,^[31] 2014 Moscow International Automobile Salon ^[32]

Flying Spur V8 Beluga Specification (2015-)

It is a version of Flying Spur V8 with exclusive 20-inch Black and Bright machined alloy wheels, a gloss black radiator matrix, a body-coloured lower grille bar, 21-inch 6-spoke Extrovert wheels for Mulliner Driving Specification models.

Deliveries was set to begin in autumn 2015.^[33]

Flying Spur V8 S (2016-)

Changes to Flying Spur V8 include increase engine power to 528 PS (388 kW; 521 hp), sharpened throttle response, additional engine braking from the transmission in 'S' mode, a new responsive suspension tuning, recalibration of the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system, optimised Electronic Stability Control, standard black matrix grille with a body-coloured insert, Beluga gloss rear diffuser, V8 S badging on the rear haunch, V8 S treadplates, 20-inch open-spoke painted wheels, optional dark-tint lights (front and rear), optional black gloss exterior mirror covers, optional unique Mulliner Driving Specification 21-inch black and bright machined six-spoke wheel, Piano-black wood veneers, a three-spoke sports steering wheel, a knurled gear lever and gear shift paddles, two-tone seats with a contrasting roof centre, V8 S headrest stitching, optional semi-aniline hide upholstery, optional straight-fluting on the leather seats (diamond quilting pattern on Mulliner Driving Specification models.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2016 Geneva Motor Show.^[34][35]

Flying Spur W12 S (2016-)

Changes to Flying Spur W12 include increase engine power to 635 PS (467 kW; 626 hp) and 820 N·m (605 lb·ft), suspension tuning for increased traction, red or black painted calipers options for optional carbon ceramic brakes, specific damper and stability control calibrations, new gloss-black detailing on the bodywork, unique leather stitching, gloss black radiator and window surrounds, lights, rear bumper, door handle inserts and headlight washer caps; W12 S badge on the D-pillar features with a black 'S', Beluga gloss rear diffuser and door mirrors, gloss-black front radiator matrix from Flying Spur V8 S, a dark tint on front and rear lamps, a new lower bumper insert, 21-inch 7-spoke wheel in gloss-black or new optional 21-inch Sports 5-spoke directional wheel in gloss black or a dark tint, a new fascia finish and unique stitching, a unique black engine-spin finish to the fascia and waistrails (optional satin carbon-fibre finish), a W12 S headrest emblem in contrast or blind stitching, W12 S treadplates for the front and rear, a three-spoke Sport Plus steering wheel, knurled gearshift paddles, one of 17 hide colours, unique contrast stitching to the diamond quilting, the Sport Plus steering wheel and the interior.

Delivery was set to begin at the end of 2016.^[34][36]

Engines

Petrol engines^[37][38]

Model	Years	Type/code	Power@rpm, Torque@rpm
Flying Spur W12	2013-	5,998 cc (366.0 cu in) W12 twin turbo	625 PS (460 kW; 616 hp)@6000, 800 N·m (590 lb·ft)@2000
Flying Spur V8	2014-	3,993 cc (243.7 cu in) V8 twin turbo	507 PS (373 kW; 500 hp)@6000, 660 N·m (487 lb·ft)@1700(1750?)
Flying Spur V8 S	2016-	3,993 cc (243.7 cu in) V8 twin turbo	528 PS (388 kW; 521 hp)@6000, 680 N·m (502 lb·ft)@1700
Flying Spur W12 S	2016-	5,998 cc (366.0 cu in) W12 twin turbo	635 PS (467 kW; 626 hp)@6000, 820 N·m (605 lb·ft)@2000

Transmissions

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Types
Flying Spur W12	2013-	ZF 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and wheel-mounted paddleshift
Flying Spur V8	2014-	ZF 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and wheel-mounted paddleshift
Flying Spur V8 S	2016-	ZF 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and wheel-mounted paddleshift

Equipment

New 20-inch six-tri-spoke and 21-inch seven-twin-spoke (W12 Mulliner) wheel, 3 new body colours (Marlin, Camel and Jetstream), 2 new leather hide options (Shortbread and Came) became available in 2015.^[39]

Refrigerated bottle cooler between the rear seats, painted veneers, Mulliner quilted leather, sterling silver atomisers, hide-trimmed stowage boxes, Signature Quilt Pattern at centre console, became available as options in 2016.^[40]

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

Bentley timeline, 1920s–present
Type	1920s		1930s	1940s		1950s		1960s		1970s		1980s		1990s				2000s				2010s
Ownership	Bentley Motors Limited (1919–1931)		Rolls-Royce Bentley Motors (1931) Limited (1931–1980)									Vickers plc Rolls-Royce Bentley Motors (1931) Limited (1980–1998)						Volkswagen Group (1998–)
Coachbuilder's open 2/4 seater	3 L	4½ L 6½ L Speed Six
Coachbuilder's large saloon coupé or convertible		6½ L Speed Six 8 L	4L 3½  4¼L Mark V		Mark VI	R	S1 S2 S3		T
						C o n t	Continental S1 Continental S2 Continental S3
Cars with Bentley own-factory coachwork
Large saloon					Mark VI	R	S1 S2 S3		T1		T2	Mulsanne		Brooklands			Arnage					Mulsanne
													Turbo R
Coupé										Corniche				Continental R/S/T							Br.
Convertible										Corniche			Continental			Azure
Bentleys on the Volkswagen platform
Large saloon																				Continental Flying Spur
Coupé																			Continental GT
Convertible																			Continental GTC
Crossover																							Bentley Bentayga
Walter Owen Bentley (founder) A marque of the Volkswagen Group Bentley Boys

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Type	1990s		2000s										2010s
	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4
Saloon	Arnage							Continental Flying Spur								Flying Spur
		Red Label			Arnage R/T								Mulsanne
				Arnage RL
Coupé	Continental R					Continental GT								Continental GT
	Continental T										Brooklands Coupé
Convertible										Continental GTC				Continental GTC
	Azure								Azure
Color code	Old Mulsanne-based   Arnage-based   Continental GT-based   New Mulsanne-based
Walter Owen Bentley (founder) A marque of the Volkswagen Group Bentley Boys Bentley Speed 8