BENTLEY Continental Flying Spur Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Bentley introduced the Flying Spur in 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show, but five years later, it offered a faster version of it, the Flying Spur Speed.

The British automaker from the Volkswagen's umbrella had to switch to the Euro5 emission standards and, along with that, it added e special version: the Speed. But it was more than just an upgrade to comply with new emission standards. It was also the fastest version of the four-door luxury sedan Continental. Moreover, creating the car on the same platform as the Audi A8 and the Volkswagen Phaeton allowed the carmaker to carry over some technologies from one brand to another and share the development costs.

At first sight, there were no differences between the Speed and its lesser-powered Continental sibling. And yet, a keen eye for detail would have noticed the dark-tinted chromed grille and lower air intakes from the car's front fascia. From its profile, the 20"alloy wheels with a unique design also differentiated the two vehicles. Finally, at the back, the Speed featured wider, elliptical exhausts placed on the sides.

Inside, the carmaker provided a luxurious cabin fitted with the finest Connely leather that it could find in its parts bins. As expected, it matched that with expensive wood trims generously installed on the dashboard, door cards, center stack, and center console. Yet, the brushed aluminum trim for the automatic transmission gear selector resembled the one fitted in the Audi A8. While the front seats featured mild side bolstering, the rear bench was completely flat and was designed to accommodate two passengers. The tall transmission tunnel and the vents for the rear seats prevented a third passenger from comfortably sitting in the middle of the bench.

Under the hood, the W12 twin-turbocharged engine produced enough power and torque to move the luxo-barge from naught to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in less than five seconds and with speeds above 200 mph (322 kph).

Bentley introduced the Flying Spur luxury sedan in 2005, which was the fastest four-door vehicle in the world, and it did that while still offering a comfortable ride.

After Volkswagen bought Bentley, it started to work on the British automaker's lineup. At first, the Continental GT received important German technological input. Then, based on the same platform shared with the Volkswagen Phaeton, Bentley created the Flying Spur. A limousine that behaved like a supercar.

The exterior design could have been more spectacular. Its four round headlights had nothing in common with the Bentley design heritage. Still, it resembled the Continental GT grand touring car. In the middle, the tall and chromed grille was handcrafted and represented a work of art by itself. From its profile, the large sedan tried to hide its connection with the Phaeton. And, somehow, the designers managed to do that. Still, the C-pillars were very wide, like on its German sibling. Yet, at the back, the vertical taillights flanked the wide-opening trunk looked utterly different. But they were less elegant than other Bentley vehicles previously built.

Inside, besides the abundance of leather and wood trims, the automaker installed many buttons and switches on the dashboard and center stack. The two front bucket seats were separated by the tall center console and a storage compartment, while in the back, the bench profiled for two offered plenty o legroom and headroom.

Under the hood, Bentley installed the W12 6.0-liter engine that was found in the Phaeton. It was paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox that sent its power in all corners.