2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur - Page 1 Review

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Shopping for a 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur? MSRP: $174,100 - $198,500

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Although the Bentley brand languished behind Rolls-Royce for several decades, the tide has turned in recent years. While Rolls-Royce (now part of BMW) hasn't gained as much traction in the ultra-luxury market, Bentley has surged in popularity under the control of the Volkswagen Group. The Continental Flying Spur sedan and the Continental GT coupe have been key to that success.

The 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur is a long, wide, and very rakish sedan, with a streamlined version of the traditional upright Bentley grille in front and bright chromed mesh grilles and air intakes flanked by quad-oval headlights. A character line runs around the front wheel well and to the taillights, which are rounded trapezoids, and the back of the trunk is distinctively clean and neat. Overall, the big Bentley is conservatively ostentatious and racier than you might expect, but it's not particularly flamboyant—even when you're up close and see all the detailing and the assertive stance. Arguably, the more contemporary exterior styling is starting to look dated, at least for those in the know; the general public will still be wowed.

Under that rather low hoodline is a 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 engine making 552 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, and it's delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive. The unusual "W" engine layout uses offset engine cylinders that allow the engine to be naturally very well balanced and silky-smooth—and far more compact than other V-12 designs. Despite a hefty 5,400-pound curb weight, the Flying Spur can rocket to 60 mph in less than five seconds and hit a top speed of 194 mph.