Australian Car Advice | News Blog

And it shows, with the Flying Spur exhibiting excellent handling, verging on understeer only a terminal speeds, and immense grip from its all wheel drive system. Steering feel for such a heavy car - 2475kg- with power assistance is commendable, with nice weighting, but it’s not extremely chatty, just meaty. In fact, the dynamics for such a huge beast are excellent.

It’s easy to get carried away, as the Flying Spur deceives you into thinking the car is much, much smaller. You almost feel like flinging it from corner to corner, like an SS Commodore, but a length of 5.3m will make you think again. Given room, the heavier front end makes its presence felt, but then you look at the speedo and realise that you’re cornering 30-40km/h faster than anything else. Yes, Bentleys are sports cars. In the same way a sledgehammer is a can opener.

Braking is also awesome with the world’s largest production front discs (405mm) clamped by whopper eight-piston callipers. Pedal feel is superb and progressive, but then with a top speed of 312km/h, it’s sort of expected. As is the brilliant ESP, which stabilises the car, in a most reassuring way, especially under hard braking.

The 195 mile per hour V-max makes the Continental Flying Spur not just a fast mode of transport, but the world’s fastest four door production car. An interesting fact, is that on full throttle, the six-speed ZF paddleshift automatic only changes into 6th gear at 275km/h. Something to tell your mates (fellow transportation initiators) at the pub.

There are a few details that let the Flying Spur down a little. The steering wheel, paddles behind the wheel, indicator stalks, etc all come from the VW Touareg. A familiar sight to Volkswagen owners also, is the middle instrument display screen. Even the font is the same. Further evidence of some cost cutting comes from the lack of TV screens on the headrests of the front seats - something that is standard on a $70,000 Holden Caprice. Yet on this luxurious speed blitzer that costs $360,000 plus on roads, it’s not even an option.

Overall, it is a fantastic drive, with enough ability to fulfill any role. Limo or not, the quality will impress, and the effortless speed will put a smile on your dial. Money well spent? Well, it’s hard to think of much better for the price. Although not a track-day car, it is more involving than the Audi A8, and Mercs S-Class. 0-100 in just over 5 seconds? Quarter mile in mid 13’s? Top speed 312km/h? Roll over W.O. Roll over.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5

Location: Home / Behind the Wheel / ...

Rate Post: (17 votes, average: 4.82 out of 5)
 Loading ...

-   

Print it: