Used 2015 Bentley Flying Spur

The Bentley Flying Spur is an ultra-luxury sedan whose very name drips of provenance while its ride, handling and appeal are firmly planted in the present. Now known simply as the Flying Spur – it dropped the "Continental" moniker with last year’s revamp – this 4- or 5-passenger sedan is among the most opulent that money can buy. To do that you’ll need at least $200,000, a price that makes this British full-size sedan fly significantly higher than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class but still below a Rolls-Royce Ghost. Thanks to its 8- or 12-cylinder powerplants, the Flying Spur has more than enough power to move its magnificent metal, while its standard all-wheel drive and air suspension make it confident and compelling on most any road.

The 2015 Bentley Flying Spur has a heavenly balance between relaxed cruising and dynamic handling. Think of it as a 5,000-plus-pound automotive chameleon dressed in the finest trappings. In most instances you’ll just relish the hushed, utterly refined solitude of it all. Spur the throttle, though, and you’ll quickly find that this big Bentley can dance. Whether you go with the top-line W12 engine and its dizzying 616 horsepower or the "base" twin-turbocharged V8 good for 500 horsepower, you’ll be treated to 0-60-mph blasts in as little as 4.3 seconds and a top speed of up to 200 mph. Make no mistake: The Flying Spur sedan can move with the best of them. Another trait we appreciate is this Bentley’s standard all-wheel-drive system. We piloted our test model on slick streets amid pouring rain, and the big sedan clung tight to the road with ultimate security.

For $200,000 you’d expect an interior that’s almost absurd in its opulence. And that’s pretty much the case for the 2015 Flying Spur. Wood and leather are lathered throughout. Premium-grade hides in your choice of colors, veneers with names like Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus and Tamo Ash, and available lambs-wool carpet as deep as summer grass. As standard, the Flying Spur has a "4+1" seating configuration in which a person can squeeze into the middle of the rear bench. Optimal comfort is had in the 4-seat configuration, with the rear seats divided by a full-length console.

When it revamped the Flying Spur last year, Bentley clearly looked to its Mulsanne flagship sedan for inspiration. Long flowing lines that sweep back to a wide and raked rear pillar convey an image of solidity and strength. There’s a maturity in the design that shuns the need for overly ornate add-ons or embellishments. The Flying Spur is large and graceful. In front are a proud grille and four jeweled headlights, and in back is a tapered tail. The dominant – and most beautiful – profile feature are its elegantly sloped haunches over the rear wheels. A sunroof is a no-cost option.

NAIM AUDIO
Naim is one of Britain’s premier audio manufacturers, and the 1,100-watt system they’ve designed for the Flying Spur is beyond reproach. Separately tuned twin subwoofers enhance bass throughout the sedan’s cabin, while specially designed speakers that serve as both tweeter and midrange limit the number of unsightly speaker grilles.

MASSAGING SEATS
Nothing indulges quite like a massage. With a Bentley, you can get one even while you drive or ride. As part of the Comfort Specification package, both the front and rear seats offer massage functionality. Additionally, the seats can be heated and cooled for further comfort.

It should come as no surprise that you’ll hardly feel like a pauper in even a "base" Bentley Flying Spur. Remember that $200,000 price tag? It buys you that scrumptious interior awash in leather and wood, 14-way-power front seats, multi-zone climate control, bi-xenon headlights and a turbocharged V8. On the infotainment front, the Flying Spur features an AM/FM/CD/DVD player that plays through an 8-channel/8-speaker audio system. Navigation is also included and relayed via the built-in 8-inch screen, as is the rearview camera. The Flying Spur has Bluetooth wireless connectivity and an SD card slot, but no USB connection as standard.

There’s no shortage of ways to make your Flying Spur fly faster or be more elegant. We’ve already praised the 14-speaker Naim audio system, and further enjoyment can be had via a rear-seat entertainment system with its own tablet-style remote control, wireless headphones and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Rear-seat occupants can indulge with a built-in bottle cooler for drinks and snacks. Mulliner models bring larger wheels and even finer interior details. On the tech front, this Bentley sedan offers adaptive cruise control but not blind-spot monitoring or lane-departure warning – a shame for this ultra-luxury sedan.

Two engines are offered for the 2015 Bentley Flying Spur, starting with a twin-turbocharged V8 that makes an impressive 500 horsepower. The Flying Spur W12 goes even better with a 616-horsepower twin-turbocharged W12 engine. Both powerplants are mated to an exceptional 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. All Bentley Flying Spurs feature all-wheel drive, which enhances traction.

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8
500 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
486 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/high fuel economy: 14/24 mpg

6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12
616 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
590 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/20 mpg