Road Test: Bentley Flying Spur Speed
ROAD TEST: Bentley Flying Spur Speed
Price tag: £137,000
The lowdown:
The Speed’s stable-mate, the Continental Flying Spur was relaunched by Bentley four years ago, and this souped-up version hit the roads last year.
The timing of its launch – in the midst of the worst economic slump in decades is unfortunate, as I’m sure in better times this car would have been given much wider acclaim.
This car is serious fun, combined with opulent luxury and comfort. In human terms it’s the wild teenage tearway brother of the sensible Flying Spur. Boasting a mighty six litre engine and a cool 600bhp under the bonnet, this is not a car for the faint-hearted.
In its sport mode, the Speed’s fuel injection kicks in like a wild horse and emits a throaty growl, which is at first mildly alarming and then utterly enthralling.
The engine develops 15% torque and 9% more power than the standard Flying Spur, combining to deliver an ultra-illegal top speed of 200mph and a 0 to 60mph time of just 4.5 seconds.
The Speed, which like all Bentleys is made in Crewe, is unsurprisingly the most powerful four-door vehicle made by the historic company.
It has all the gadgets and gismos one would expect – Sat Nav; an integrated – if a little complicated telephone system; and best of all an ultra-smart, radar cruise control feature, which automatically slows the car down if the vehicle in front reduces its speed.
Tech-spec
Engine: Type 12-cylinder, 6-litre twin-turbocharged engine
Capacity 5998cc, 600bhp
Top speed: 200mph
0-60mph: 4.5 seconds
0-100mph: 10.5 seconds
Fuel Consumption/emissions
Fuel consumption Urban: 11.2mpg
Extra Urban: 24.3mpg
Combined: 17.0mpg
The verdict:
This car is fantastic. It is a thrilling drive with excellent perfomance. The Speed looks great and sounds great, but one question springs to mind – who is its market? 
The sober suited business executive will not want sports perfomance such as this delivers. The footballer set – who of course have possibly the highest disposable income – will either favour the the two-door Continental GT and GT Speed – (Mssrs Ferdinand, Rooney and Tevez are already customers), or will opt for the greater luxury and opulence of the hand-built Arnage range, as favoured by the Beckham family.
Rating: * * * *
