Overview & Reviews

The Bentley Continental GT is one of the best ultra-luxury coupes on the market, though it's only comfortable for two adults. For luxury car buyers who desire the option to share the opulence, there's the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, a four-door version of the GT with adult-sized rear seats. Just as with the GT, the Flying Spur provides meticulous craftsmanship, near flawless leather covering almost every interior surface and rich wood trim.

Naturally, the Continental Flying Spur also perpetuates the company's reputation for performance. Power is provided by a massive W12 engine and handling is surprisingly composed. For the rare individual who demands even more, the Flying Spur Speed, with its narrower focus on performance, should satisfy. Whichever Bentley Flying Spur wealthy buyers may choose, it's unlikely they'll find it lacking in any significant area.

Current Bentley Continental Flying Spur
The Bentley Continental Flying Spur is an ultra-luxury sedan available in a base version and the higher-performance Flying Spur Speed variant. Both versions of this ultra-luxury sedan are powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine attached to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is also standard. The base Flying Spur produces 552 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, which takes it from zero to 60 in 4.9 seconds.

The Flying Spur Speed features 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, getting to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. In addition to the bigger engine, the Speed version gets bigger wheels, bigger brakes, a retuned suspension and consequent improved handling dynamics. Despite these performance upgrades, the Speed retains every drop of Bentley civility.

Naturally, standard equipment is generous. Nineteen-inch wheels, an adjustable air suspension, four-zone automatic climate control, navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity and leather everywhere are all part of the package. Options include adaptive cruise control, front-seat lumbar massage, a full-length center console (that reduces seating capacity to four) and a 15-speaker Naim audio system. A Mulliner Driving Specification package includes special 20-inch wheels, alloy foot pedals, diamond-quilted leather and a choice of exclusive veneers. A further range of customization is provided via 17 leather color choices and an almost endless selection of exterior paints.

With its adjustable air suspension and sophisticated engineering, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur can float along the freeway, enveloping its occupants in quiet comfort, or just as easily zip through corners like a sport sedan that's half a ton lighter. In fact, in our testing it bettered the slalom speeds of the BMW 7 Series and matched the Bentley Continental GT coupe. Although hardly a sports car, the Flying Spur's steering is rock solid at speed and light when you need it to be around town -- exactly what most ultra-luxury sedan buyers are looking for. The Flying Spur Speed ups the performance ante considerably, but still retains its status as a posh luxury cruiser.

Used Bentley Continental Flying Spur Models
The Bentley Continental Flying Spur debuted as an all-new model for 2006. That original year featured an antiquated CD-based navigation system that was updated to a slightly more up-to-date DVD-based system the following year, along with Bluetooth and the Mulliner Driving Specification package. Satellite radio became standard the next year, while a rearview camera joined the options list.

The Continental Flying Spur Speed was added to the lineup for 2009. At the same time, the regular Flying Spur received sound insulation, retuned suspension and steering, and minor styling updates. The Naim audio system and an improved iPod interface were also added. Even so, these older Flying Spurs (prior to 2012) were fitted with an outdated infotainment interface that didn't match the level of luxury expected in this class.

User Reviews:

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  DR. QUICKs Prescription for feeling good - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By Dr Quick - April 24 - 5:50 am

  The car is amazing. You almost have to learn how to drive all over again because of the elevated performance. Love the weight and solid feel. The power is breath taking. Some lesser top brands seem to have more features, but nothing beats pulling up in Bentley. Nothing makes you feel more special.

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  Will Never Buy A Mercedes Again! - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By MaffiaDude - April 17 - 9:40 am

  This vehicle is amazing. I have previously ownes an S55 AMG and a CL500 and this car puts both to shame. When you press the start engine button it sounds a like an airplane engine starting. When youre going fast you think you feel as if you are going only 45 mph. It is a must have for any person wanting to ride in style. All of the seats massage you, plus they all have heating and cooling. The trunk is so big you could easily fit 6 bodies in there.

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  Old World Quality With Modern Dynamics - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By Charles - March 19 - 9:53 am

  Was looking for something different than the Bangle-Butt BMWs and mundane Mercedes S-Class, which are like VWs around Los Angeles. With its distinctive elegant shape, outstanding build quality, sheer luxury, twin-turbo 550 HP performance, and great driving dynamics, the Flying Spur sits by itself at the top of the luxury sedan heap. Its an amazing balance of understated capability, able to take five people in total comfort at up to 195 MPH (where, I dont know!), corner with SLs on Angeles Crest, and cruise Sunset Blvd. with the same quiet refinement of a Rolls Phantom, without the Kenworth-grill pretense. As modern as an A8 Audi (its cheaper cousin), the Flying Spur make no excuses!

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  Outstanding car - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By perrie32 - October 21 - 2:33 pm

  I traded in my 2005 GT since I thought the 4 door made more sense for an everday car. Like the GT the interior is outstanding as is the overall build quality. The Continental Flying Spur is fun to drive even though it is a little less sporty than the GT. Its more elegant. It is very comfortable and has some nice features such as automatic trunk opener and cooled seats. Also better it has doors, since they are not as heavy. All in all, I have been very pleased with the car.

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  10 reasons not to buy a Bentley - 2007 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By lovecars11 - October 20 - 5:50 am

  Nice to drive with quite enough power (until one drives a Speed version). Good ride and comfy cabin. All that is marred/spoiled by Bentley Motors hateful behavior towards its customers. My Flying Spur (which, when we purchased it, had never been owned by anyone but Bentley Motors and the dealer) now has paint peeling in a bunch of places, an inaccurate speedo, an inaccurate odometer, throws codes seemingly at random, and is now plagued by a shrill noise in the cockpit the dealer was too busy to fix prior to a 7000 mile trip. For us at least, owning a car is not just owning a car, its an experience and a relationship. The folks at Bentley Motors have been so hateful and pompous that the en

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  Flying Spur is in a Class by Itself - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By SAEarly - June 9 - 5:13 am

  A super luxury sedan with 4 wheel drive, 0 to 60 acceleration in 4.8 seconds, and a top speed of 195+ mph (magazine reviews) is not available anywhere currently in this price range except from Bentley. Austin Martin is planning something in next 2+ years. The super huge trunk is great for trips but the acceleration at any speed makes it fun to drive even though it weighs about 5,500 pounds. Our Beluga exterior with chrome wheels and Cognac/Beluga interior looks stunning. Other drivers have actually backed from other lanes at red lights to do a double take. While drivers going the other way have stared or even turned around to get a better look. This car is very roomy, has stunning looks, and has great acceleration and speed!

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  Still good - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By bobbyo - January 29 - 7:23 pm

  I agree with all the positive comments, which youll note hint at some flaws in the design and operation of the car but do not in any way detract from the experience of owning one. I didnt see much substance in the negative reviews- was it the same guy writing them all? This car is fantastic, fast comfortable and smooth. Garners a lot (repeat, a lot!) of stares and comments. True luxury that mass-produced BMWs and MBs cant begin to match (Mercedes had to come out with the Maybach line to even try). My biggest complaint is the rear seat area, it squeaks rattles and shakes whenever you hit a bump, due to a suspension that is quite active and "vocal" over bumps. Reliability has been great.

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  Forget It - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By rick larson - December 28 - 12:03 pm

  Given that the Bentley arrived at the lot in December, but I got to give the car a good drive a couple of days ago, you might be wondering where its been. Well guess what, it was in the shop. You can see its not reliable at all, considering that the engine burned up twice, a lot of the technology, and etc., etc., etc. It also lags in acceleration. For those who are looking for a Supreme Luxury Car, look at the A8 W12 L or 760 Li. Right now, Ive got a 760 Li in the making.

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  Not Quite As Good As The... - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By CaliforniaCarsOrg - June 29 - 1:33 pm

  Mercedes Benz S600 or the BMW 760Li. The handling was fine, but we were a bit suprised to find out that the garage door opener is optional. This luxury car is beautiful, but if you want to buy an exotic luxury car, look at the S600 or the 760Li or the Audi A8 W12 L as well. The car is a bit heavy, so it didnt perform as well as it could. Its also uncomfortable in the rear seats, compared to the BMW 760Li. In some cases, its better than the S600 and the 760Li, but overall, its not quite as good.

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  My Second Bentley - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By Jesse - June 22 - 3:33 pm

  I purchased a Continental GT in late 2004 and was extremely happy with it. Now, the Continental Flying Spur is the same car with more space and some added features. The bluetooth phone (RAZR) works great. I also like the cooling solar panel in the sliding roof, air cooled seat not just heated, very large trunk space, and more glass. This is a really great car to drive since it handles like a GT. It has a tight body with no rattles. Overall, the Flying Spur is superb.