The Bentley Continental Flying Spur was always hampered by one thing – no, I’m not talking about VW Phaeton’s platform, because that was excellent and gave the driver huge confidence. The thing that hampered the car was the fact it was called Continental, meaning it shared a lot in common with its (cheaper) two-door sibling the Continental GT – it was a version of that model with two extra doors.
Now, though, the new model has gained a more distinct body and a new name – the Flying Spur full stop. MotorTrend magazine flew all the way to China to find out what the new Flying Spur is all about.
If you’re wondering why they’ve gone all the way to the People’s Republic to try out Bentley’s luxury sedan, then try searching for China in our dedicated search box. Large sedans are big business in the country, where more and more people are coming into money, and the thing they like best is plenty of rear legroom and as many toys as one can cram in – two areas where the Flying Spur is in a class of its own. The tested car even featured an optional fridge at the back.
Aside from that, it is an effortless cruiser, with lots of power (and torque – 590 lb-ft /800 Nm from 2000 rpm), clean lines and some very impressively shaped rear shoulders. In addition, while the reviewer says he does not like the rear lights and their new shape, I think it’s a matter of taste and I quite fancy the new look and would not have the car any other way.
By Andrei Nedelea
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