The tariff for all this automotive grandeur starts at US$171,285. Add 50cm wheels, the Sport gearshift lever and a few other details, and the grand total is US$179,185 -- including a US$3,700 gas-guzzler tax in the US. For exactly the same starting price you can buy the Continental GT, a sportier two-door version of this elegant sedan.
There was no charge for the gorgeous Dark Sapphire paint, which contrived to be black and sapphire at the same time, depending on how light hit the car.
Only one issue remains -- the Flying Spur's singular name. Does it refer to some martial-arts skill? To a domestic dispute between cowboys who don't carry guns? Hardly.
In 1967, Bentley was introducing a new model, the coachwork of which was to be produced by H.J. Mulliner, the distinguished British coachbuilder. As the managing director of Mulliner cast about for a name for the new car, his eye came to rest on his own family crest. There, emblazoned in its center, were two crossed -- in heraldic usage, "flying" -- equestrian spurs. Not much later, the first Bentley Flying Spur was introduced.
Now a whole new generation of spurs is being flung, which I say is just fine. We can be thankful that the good gentleman's crest didn't contain pitchforks. Or fishhooks. Or false teeth. With these possible variants in mind, Flying Spur has just the right ring.
Vroom, Vroom:
* Four-door Grand Tourer born of the Continental GT coupe
* Inspired by the 1952 Bentley R-Type Continental and 1957 four-door Continental Flying Spur
* A top speed of 312kph and zero to 100kph in 5.2 seconds.
* Powered by a 6-liter, twin-turbocharged, 12-cylinder engine
* Provides a massive 551bhp and Bentley's wave of torque from low revs
* A high-tech, all-wheel-drive system for stability and grip in varied conditions is driven by an advanced six-speed automatic gearbox with paddleshift controls
* Over 11 leather hides are used to make a complete set of upholstery for each Continental Flying Spur
SOURCE: autospectator.com
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