The first-generation Continental Flying Spur ushered in the era of high-performance saloons [Bentley 100 Years of Car History]

Continental Flying Spur

The GT’s wheelbase has been extended by 320 mm.

When the Continental GT, released in 2003, became a global hit, there was a growing demand for a new four-door model in the market.

In fact, even before receiving such requests, Bentley had launched the Continental series as a project for two-door and four-door models from the beginning, and development was being carried out by a team including design directors Dirk van Brackel and Raul Pires, just like the two-door model.

Strategically, the first model to be released was a two-door, but two years later, in 2005, the Continental Flying Spur debuted, inheriting the name of the popular Flying Spur, which had appeared in 1957 as a four-door version of the S-Type Continental.

The Continental Flying Spur’s chassis is the same as the GT’s, combining a steel monocoque with a stainless steel front subframe, but while the front and rear treads remain the same, the wheelbase has been extended from 2745mm to 3065mm, giving it a body size befitting a four-door full-size saloon with a total length of 5290mm, total width of 2118mm and total height of 1475mm.

The body design, which features twin round headlamps sandwiching a Bentley mesh grille on the front face, power lines on the front wheels, and horns on the rear wheels, follows the GT. However, despite being redesigned as a four-door style that ensures spacious rear seat living space, thanks to the efforts of the design team, the Cd value has been recorded at 0.31, exceeding the coupe’s 0.32.

The world’s fastest super saloon

The engine was the same as the GT, a 6.0-liter 72-degree W-shaped 12-cylinder DOHC 48-valve twin-turbo WR12 unit that produced a maximum output of 560 PS and a maximum torque of 650 Nm. The gearbox was a ZF 6-speed automatic, and the full-time 4WD system drove all four wheels via a Torsen center differential. The front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension was also fitted as standard with adaptive air suspension and continuously variable damping control.

As a result, the Continental Flyingspeed earned the title of the world’s fastest super saloon, boasting a top speed of 312 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration of 5.2 seconds. Combined with its luxurious interior, which used the equivalent of 11 cows, sales were astounding for a saloon of this type. Production at the Volkswagen factory in Crewe alone was unable to keep up with demand, and at one point production was also moved to Volkswagen’s Dresden factory in Germany.

In 2009, a minor change was made to the car, including a slightly more upright front grille, changes to the front and rear design, and improvements to quietness, among other details. At that time, ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) was also made available as an option for the first time in a Bentley model.

Also available is a 610PS high-performance version

Also in 2009, the high-performance Continental Flying Spur Speed was added to the lineup for the first time.

The engine is equipped with a 6.0-liter W-type 12-cylinder twin-turbo unit that produces a maximum output of 610 PS and a maximum torque of 750 Nm, thanks to lighter pistons and connecting rods that reduce friction and a revised engine management system.

The chassis was also reset, lowering both the front and rear by 10mm, and incorporating features such as strengthened front subframe mounts, rear camber link bushings, 23mm diameter anti-roll bars, a specially set speed-sensitive Servotronic system, 20-inch wheels, and carbon ceramic brakes (optional), resulting in a top speed of 322km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. It was praised as the return of the Turbo R.

Series: Bentley 100 Years of History

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