The article was originally produced on January 15, 2021, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Bentley Flying Spur

There is no doubt whatsoever that the Bentley Flying Spur is a truly outstanding car. The big question to decide is rather: do you want to be a driver or do you want to be a passenger?

Bentley is one of the most luxurious car brands in the world, largely thanks to Volkswagen's acquisition in 1998. Since then, the number of models, and above all the cars sold, has steadily increased and when the Continental GT was launched in 2003, the brand became a real cash cow. The model Continental Flying Spur was introduced in 2006 and is, simply explained, a five-door version of the Continental GT. When the second generation was released in 2013, Continental was removed from the name and the model was renamed Flying Spur.

W12 engine of 635 horses

The first generation was based on Volkswagen's luxury model Phaeton, but the heritage and feel of the Phaeton was washed away in the second generation. What we still find connected to Volkswagen is the W12 engine of 635 horses that lurks under the hood. This is a steady machine, silky smooth while being strong as an ox. You hear and feel it, but never in a disturbing way. To meet the tougher emissions requirements, the Flying Spur is now also available with a V8. There is also a V6 Hybrid in Bentley's range, but whether it will find its way into the Flying Spur is still unclear. 

In relation to the weight of the car, the speed resources are almost unimaginable. In just 3.8 seconds, it manages to get from standstill to one hundred km/h and if given the opportunity, the speedometer reaches a breathtaking 333 km/h. Impressive!

Thanks to four-wheel steering

The Flying Spur measures just over 5.3 metres, but thanks to four-wheel steering, it is not perceived as unwieldy. Despite tight street corners, I get around easily and without problems. When the city streets turn into curvy roads, it becomes even clearer how efficiently the four-wheel steering works - the car feels easy to handle despite its size. 

With the performance mentioned above, it is a given that you will enjoy behind the wheel, but as a passenger the journey will never be boring in a Flying Spur either. The car's flagship is clearly comfort and once you've settled into one of the seats, you don't want the journey to end.

Regardless of whether you sit in the front seats or those in the back, there is both a massage and the option to fold the back of the chair for a more relaxed sitting position. As the icing on the cake, the cushions for the headrests are also soft and fluffy, with lateral adjustment options, so that the head stays in place even if you, as a passenger, doze off. 

Is lowered into the cooler

Among the exterior details that catch the eye is the beautiful radiator emblem, which is now a flying B. Not only can it be lowered into the radiator, and also makes lightning fast if any claw-fingered person can't keep their hands off, it also lights up when darkness falls. Both beautiful and effective!

When it comes to cars in this class, I expect the absolute best. But even so, I can't help but be impressed by what Bentley has achieved with the new Flying Spur. The limits of comfort and performance have once again been pushed forward. That said, it also comes with a price tag that doesn't quite match my wallet. This means that a Flying Spur remains a dream that, thanks to Bentley Stockholm, I got to try and experience for a couple of days.

Bentley Flying Spur

Basic price	Over SEK 2,200,000
Engine	5.9-litre W12, twin turbo, 635 hp. Torque 900 Nm
Transmission	Front engine 8-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Acceleration	0-100 in 3.8 seconds. Top speed: 333 km/h
Fuel consumption mixed driving according to the manufacturer	1.48 l/mile
Weight	2,437 kg
Guarantees	3 years
Web	www.bentleymotors.com