☰
conceptcarz.com
✕

2009 Bentley Flying Spur

Continental Flying Spur and Continental Flying Spur Speed

The new Bentley Continental Flying Spur is set to deliver even greater levels of refinement, comfort and opportunities for customer personalisation. The class-leading 12-cylinder luxury saloon will also be joined by the 600 bhp (610PS) Continental Flying Spur Speed. The most powerful 4-door car ever produced by the British manufacturer, the Flying Spur Speed offers the pure driving experience and uncompromising performance synonymous with all Bentleys bearing the Speed legend. The 2009 range builds on the success of Bentley's class-leading Continental Flying Spur.

• The new Continental Flying Spur range is refined and expanded with two distinctive models.

• The 2009 Continental Flying Spur offers enhanced levels of refinement, comfort and choice.

• The new Continental Flying Spur Speed delivers a more powerful and engaging Bentley driving experience.

INTRODUCTION

The new Bentley Continental Flying Spur is set to deliver even greater levels of refinement, comfort and opportunities for customer personalisation. The class-leading 12-cylinder luxury saloon will also be joined by the 600 bhp (610PS) Continental Flying Spur Speed. The most powerful 4-door car ever produced by the British manufacturer, the Flying Spur Speed offers the pure driving experience and uncompromising performance synonymous with all Bentleys bearing the Speed legend.

The Continental Flying Spur has been an extraordinary success story for Bentley since its launch in 2005. Its unrivalled combination of exciting performance, luxury, craftsmanship, style and four-door practicality has broadened the appeal of the Continental range. The Flying Spur has become the most successful 12-cylinder luxury saloon in the world and has played a pivotal role in the revitalisation of Bentley.

The instantly recognisable style of the Flying Spur undergoes a subtle evolution with changes to the front and rear design. The new, more upright grille and bolder lower air intake accentuate the distinctive Bentley profile, while the new rear bumper delivers a more aggressive and sleek appearance.

A comprehensive range of noise-absorbent measures including acoustic glazing, tri-laminate body undertrays and wheelarch liners ensure that cabin refinement, already a hallmark of the Continental Flying Spur, is best in class.

The new Flying Spur may now be specified with a sophisticated follow-to-stop, radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control system, which monitors traffic ahead and manages the throttle and brakes to maintain a pre-set time gap, up to a driver selected set speed.

As a further option, the new Naim for Bentley audio system provides the world's best in-car sound stage. Designed exclusively for Bentley by Naim, the renowned British hi-fi manufacturer, the system features an 1100 Watt amplifier, the most powerful unit offered in a production car, and 15 custom-built Naim speakers, including dual Naim sub-woofers. The next-generation Digital Signal Processor further enhances the listening experience.

The aluminium-intensive suspension of the Flying Spur features revised spring and dampers and a new bespoke 19-inch Pirelli UHP tyre for outstanding levels of ride quality, comfort and refinement.

Bentley's commitment to the highest quality of craftsmanship and customer personalisation is highlighted with an enhanced choice of beautifully crafted wood marquetry and chrome inlays. In addition, seat piping, a traditional Bentley feature, is introduced on Flying Spur together with two new hide colours. Three new colours and four duo-tone paint combinations are added to the exterior paint palette.

The 600bhp Continental Flying Spur Speed unleashes the same potent performance and intense levels of driver engagement as its highly acclaimed stablemate, the Continental GT Speed.

Inspired by Bentley's legendary ‘Speed' models that first appeared in 1923, the Flying Spur Speed offers a range of headline performance figures including a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 200mph.

A lowered ride height, uprated and redesigned suspension as well as retuned steering deliver outstanding agility and body control. Exceptional grip comes from the unique 9.5Jx20 multi-spoke alloy wheels with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero UHP performance tyres.

The Flying Spur Speed is distinguished by subtle design cues which emphasise its performance credentials, including dark-tinted radiator and air intake grilles, wider rifled exhaust tail pipes and unique 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen explains the rationale behind the new range:

'The global success of the Continental Flying Spur has created a new generation of Bentley owners. Responding to their feedback, we have refined an already remarkable car and with the debut of the Flying Spur Speed we are extending its appeal.'

THE NEW 2009 CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR

With typical Bentley understatement the styling of the new Continental Flying Spur is both evolutionary and subtly effective. At the front, the new bright chrome radiator grille, now more vertical, has a more pronounced square edge, accentuating the distinctive Bentley profile.

Beneath the grille, the new lower bumper features a wider, bolder central air intake. The black matrix grille also provides a 14 percent increase in airflow for the more powerful Speed version and the charge cooler intakes are positioned on the corners.

The lower grilles may also be specified in bright chrome to complement that of the main radiator. Chromed bezels around the headlamps complement the new frontal design.

At the rear, the new bumper with black lower valance and wraparound chrome trims make for a more slender appearance that is complemented by new chromed tail lamp bezels. Director of Design, Dirk van Braeckel explains the styling evolution:

'The Flying Spur is instantly recognisable on the road and we were keen to retain its individuality. The subtle styling changes have given the car a fresh look at the front and sleeker, more balanced appearance at the rear.'

Enhanced cabin refinement

Since its launch in 2005, the Continental Flying Spur model has achieved a well-deserved reputation for outstanding cabin refinement. For the new model range, the Bentley engineering team were tasked to build on this success and create a unique cabin ambience with best in class refinement and comfort.

Key to that improvement is a comprehensive package of enhancements to the Flying Spur's already impressive acoustic suppression technology. The complex double-glazed windows, a standard feature since launch, now feature a sophisticated acoustic laminate inner layer for all side and rear windows. In addition, new tri-laminate acoustic underbody trays and wheel arch liners absorb road noise.

A redesigned exhaust system provides greater refinement while maintaining the sporty, baritone character of the exhaust note. Overall, these changes deliver a substantial improvement in cabin refinement.

Bentley's Head of Body and Trim Engineering, Peter Guest, explains the effect of this acoustic management:

'We are immensely proud that the cabin refinement of the new Flying Spur is best-in-class. While achieving superb levels of noise insulation, the sporting character and sense of connection with the road is undiminished.'

Enhanced driving dynamics and ride comfort

At the heart of the Continental Flying Spur is Bentley's 6-litre, twin turbocharged W12 engine, the most compact 12-cylinder engine in production. The 48-valve head employs four camshafts and continually variable valve timing. Power is transmitted via an uprated ZF six-speed automatic transmission.

The W12 engine continues to produce 552bhp (560PS/412kW) at 6100 rev/min and a maximum torque of 650Nm (479lb ft) from 1600 rev/min across virtually the entire rev range.

In common with all Continental models, the Flying Spur employs a complex four-link suspension at the front and a trapezoidal multi-link system at the rear.

Much of the suspension is made from lightweight aluminium, benefiting steering feel and rolling comfort. Self-levelling air springs are standard, constantly monitoring and adjusting the ride height and damping according to road conditions.

Outstanding levels of ride quality and comfort were the target for the new Continental Flying Spur and to achieve this, Bentley engineers have recalibrated both spring and damper settings and introduced a new bespoke 19-inch Pirelli P-Zero UHP tyre.

Using the same technology as the 20-inch performance tyre introduced on the 2008 Continental GT Speed, the 19-inch version is specially developed to optimise ride comfort and noise suppression, while providing outstanding grip and agility.

The hydraulics of the speed-sensitive Servotronic rack and pinion steering system have been retuned to reduce friction and improve steering feel and driver feedback.

The uprated advanced electronic stability control (ESP) 8.1 system has a new ‘Sport Traction' mode that moderates ESP intervention at low speeds whilst providing a greater degree of driver interaction and control, offering superb traction without being intrusive.

Both Flying Spur models can now be specified with Bentley Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

As with conventional cruise control, ACC will maintain, within close limits, a ‘set speed' as selected by the driver. In addition, ACC uses a long-range radar sensor, mounted in the lower front grille, to monitor the road ahead for other vehicles. When a slower moving vehicle is detected, the system automatically adjusts braking and acceleration to maintain a ‘time gap', as selected by the driver.

The ‘time gap' also controls the vehicle dynamic response. The larger the time gap the more relaxed the acceleration and braking, allowing the driver to tune the ACC system to suit their own driving style and traffic conditions.

All Flying Spur models are equipped with the largest brakes of any production passenger car on sale today, with 405mm x 36mm ventilated front discs and 335mm x 22mm rears.

Bentley's carbon/silicon carbide brakes (CCB) are offered for the first time as an option on Continental Flying Spur. With even larger 20mm x 40mm cross-drilled front discs and 356 x 28mm rears, with eight-piston callipers, they may only be specified with 20-inch alloy wheels.

The lightweight, fade-resistant braking system minimises disc distortion under high thermal conditions. Under normal driving conditions the brake discs will last the lifetime of the car and brake pad life is doubled compared with the standard system. A 20kg reduction in rotating and unsprung mass also benefits steering response and handling.

Brian Gush, Director, Chassis and Powertrain Engineering, comments:

'True to the Bentley tradition, the Flying Spur delivers effortless power while significant advancements in ride quality and comfort further emphasise its deserved reputation for world-class luxury. The new Speed model exemplifies our passion for creating cars that deliver truly exceptional performance and driving enjoyment.'

Enhanced cabin comfort and customer convenience

The 2009 the Continental Flying Spur is the first model to feature the new Naim for Bentley audio system to create the world's best in-car sound stage.

Designed exclusively for Bentley by Naim, the renowned British hi-fi manufacturer, it features an 1100 Watt amplifier – the world's most powerful production unit fitted in a car – and 15 speakers. The speaker drive units are specifically tailored by Naim to the cabin of each model in the Bentley range to provide a unique and personalized audio experience.

Bentley is also the first car manufacturer to use a next-generation Digital Signal Processor (DSP) in its audio system, enhancing the listening experience still further.

All cars are now fitted as standard with a handset allowing rear passengers to control the main infotainment system.

A new optional iPod, MP3 and USB interface is located in the glovebox, enabling customers to connect personal music to the in-car infotainment system. When an iPod is connected, the tracks are displayed on the infotainment screen.

This perfectly complements the optional rear seat entertainment package that comprises two headrest-mounted 7-inch LCD screens, a 6-DVD multi-changer and two sets of headphones. An enhanced remote control unit now incorporates the rear seat entertainment systems.

A further driver convenience feature is introduced for the park/distance control. The new graphics readout on the console-mounted infotainment screen complements the audible signal.

All new Flying Spur models also benefit from significant developments to the cabin interior. The seating of all new models is extensively redesigned, with a multi-layer seat construction the comfort of which is optimised using different materials.

Employing the latest body profiling databases, the seats are constructed to offer the optimum shape for front and rear seat occupants. In addition, the rear seat cushions are lengthened by 40mm for additional comfort and support.

For the first time on Flying Spur, customers specifying a five-seat configuration may now opt for a rear-seat configuration with fully adjustable outboard positions and a fixed central seat. The outer seats have full lumbar adjustment together with heating and massage functions and a facility to adjust the position of an unoccupied front passenger seat for even greater legroom. Seat ventilation is available as an optional extra.

Improved personalisation and bespoke choice

Already renowned for its unrivalled standard of interior craftsmanship, the cabin of the Continental Flying Spur is now even more luxurious, offering unparalleled opportunities for personalisation in this segment of the market. This follows an extensive development programme that marries the latest production technology with the skills of Bentley's craftsmen and women at its factory in Crewe, England.

Continental Flying Spur customers may now choose from an array of beautifully crafted inlays. These include chrome inlays to door waistrails and a choice of intricate marquetry wood inlays in contemporary and traditional designs, creating a unique and personalised appearance.

The contemporary style inlays comprise crossbanding to the door waistrails while the traditional style inlays feature crossbanding and inlay to fascia, door waistrails and upper centre console. Both are available for Walnut and Chestnut veneers.

To further enhance the interior specification, seat piping is now available as a cost option and can be ordered in a contrast or non-contrast condition from the full colour palette of interior hides.

In addition, a new approach to the interior hide colour combinations provides customers with greater opportunities for personalisation. The door waistrails and lower door panels may now be matched to secondary hide while the centre door pads and armrests remain matched to the main hide colour creating a new two-tone effect.

Additions to the 2009 Flying Spur palette include two new hide colours (Linen and Imperial Blue) as well as three new standard exterior paint colours (Havana, White Sand and Onyx). Four unique duo-tone paint combinations (Havana, Dark Sapphire, Onyx and Midnight Emerald) are available for the first time on the Continental family.

THE NEW CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR SPEED

Following the highly successful introduction of the Continental GT Speed coupe in 2007, Bentley – almost half of new Continental GTs now sold are Speed versions – Bentley now offers the 600bhp (610PS) W12 powertrain in the new Continental Flying Spur Speed to deliver a more powerful and engaging Bentley driving experience.

The Speed engine develops 15 percent more torque and nine percent more power than the standard Flying Spur, while engine efficiency is optimised by the use of lower friction, lighter-weight components and a new engine management system. The resultant performance is exceptional, with a top speed of 200mph (322km/h), a zero to 60mph sprint time of just 4.5 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.8s) and effortless overtaking capability.

The most powerful four-door Bentley ever made, the Flying Spur Speed blends understated design cues to distinguish it from the Flying Spur. Its front grille and lower air intakes are dark-tinted chrome, while at the rear wider rifled sports exhaust tailpipes hint at the potential of the Speed model.

New 20-inch multi-spoke wheels available in both bright silver or darkened tungsten carry bespoke Pirelli PZero performance tyres introduced on the GT Speed model, which provide the car with superb grip and feedback.

The Speed's sporting performance is complemented by a highly capable chassis. Tauter handling and greater steering response with sharper turn-in and improved driver feedback is achieved through a retuned Servotronic steering system, direct-mounted front subframe and stiffer bushings.

Improved agility and body control is also achieved through uprated spring and damper settings as well as thicker anti-roll bars front and rear. To aid the car's high-speed dynamics, the Flying Spur Speed's self-levelling air suspension sits 10mm lower.

The advanced electronic stability programme (ESP), uprated to ESP 8.1 for both models, provides a greater degree of driver interaction and control.

The Flying Spur Speed offers a new 'Dynamic Mode' that allows increased wheel slip at higher speeds. Torque is reinstated more quickly after the traction control system is triggered, giving the spirited driver a greater sense of control and the ability to exploit the full potential of the new engine.

Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board Engineering, comments:

'The new Flying Spur advances its Bentley performance credentials while delivering outstanding refinement and comfort through our unique application of advanced technology and traditional craftsmanship.

With 600 bhp and a sports-tuned chassis, the Flying Spur Speed redefines customer expectations of a large, four-door luxury saloon. The performance, handling and agility set new benchmarks.'

by Bentley

by Bentley

Rolls-Royce introduced the Project 90 concept car at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show. Many elements of this design would make its way into a new Bentley, which was backed by much enthusiasm and rave reviews of the concept. By 1991 the Continental R was ready and made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Again, the response was exceptional and the reviews were enthusiastic. The red show car that made its appearance at Geneva was purchased immediately by the Sultan of Brunei.

The body was designed by Ken Greenley and John Hefernan and was uncommon for a Bentley. It was aerodynamic, curvy, and sleek giving it an impressive 0.73 coefficient of drag. Its sporty image was enhanced by the sixteen-inch alloy wheels that could be found on all four corners. Its modern style was enhanced by the roof-cut door frames and a slight spoiler effect in the rear. This was the first Bentley with a body all its own since the S3 of 1965. Prior to this, it had shared many characteristics and platforms with the Rolls-Royce.

The name 'Continental' draws from the company's heritage and the names that adorned the pre-WWII Bentleys. The 'R' was in honor of the 1950's Bentley Type R models and the Turbo R's of the 1980s. This continued the tradition of a potent powertrain, impressive design, unquestionable elegance, and unrivaled comfort.

Under the sleek bonnet was a 6.75-liter Garrett-turbocharged engine producing an impressive 325 horsepower and 450 foot-pounds of torque. These figures are estimates since the company never actually produced official ratings. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a GM 4L80-E automatic four-speed gearbox. This equation equaled a 145 miles-per-hour top speed with zero-to-sixty taking just 6.6 seconds. Stopping was also impressive, provided by its disc brakes with the front being ventilated. The interior was plush and comfortable with nearly every amenity available at the time and the instruments were finished in wood.

This package came at a price that immediately sent it into the exclusive club that only the well-to-do can afford. In 1992, a Bentley Continental R would set the lucky purchaser back $271,780US.

The Bentley Continental S was produced from 1994 through 1995 with 18 examples being produced. It was a limited-edition model that boosted the performance of the vehicle to a higher level, thanks to the addition of an intercooler. In a similar fashion, the Bentley Continental R Mulliner was another boost to the already impressive vehicle. Horsepower was raised to 420 and the torque lifted to 650 foot-pounds. The top speed was estimated at 170 mph. Bentley introduced the Mulliner at the Geneva Motor Show in 1999 and it was left up to the customers to customize to their exact requirements and specifications. The customers worked closely with the engineers and designers to create a unique vehicle that was up to their desires and expectations. Production lasted until 2003.

The Bentley Continental T was the pinnacle of the Continental series with a heavy emphasis on sporty characteristics while still maintaining a high degree of luxury, though luxury did take a back seat to performance. The Continental T originally produced 590 foot-pounds of torque but by 1997 that figure was raised to 650. With a shortened wheelbase, 2+2 configuration, and extended wheel arches, the Continental T looked very aggressive and undeniably sporty. The customer had the opportunity to specify components such as opting for the modified sock absorbers and stiffer torsion bars. This allowed the driver to take full advantage of the power-plant and propel the vehicles through anything the road had to offer. The press seemed to think differently as they gave the vehicles handling low marks.

The interior featured chrome finish instrumentation and a push-button starter. A gentle touch of the button and the vehicle would roar to life.

Production of the Continental T lasted from 1996 through 2002 with 322 examples being created. In 1999 Bentley offered the Continental T Mulliner, in a similar fashion to the Continental R Mulliner. In total there were 23 examples of the Continental T Mulliner produced. Five Continental T Le Mans vehicles were produced.

by Dan Vaughan