Should you buy a Bentley Flying Spur?

If you need a luxury car that you’re just as happy driving as riding in the rear, then definitely yes. Of all of its rivals (and there aren’t that many) the Bentley is absolutely brilliant at doing the luxury car thing, while offering a wide range of talents for drivers. Yes, you can buy an Audi A8 that does 90% of what this Bentley does for less than half the money, but that discounts how this car makes you feel – it’s a wonderful place in which to spend extended periods of time, and you will never tire of the way it looks inside, how everything works, and the sheer quality of the fit and finish.

Let’s start with the Flying Spur for drivers. It’s packed with technology – four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, active roll control to name but a few features – and they are all very effective at improving the car’s handling. There’s enough feedback in the controls and on the road to give the driver some enjoyment of this car’s vast speed and excellent poise without feeling like those systems are taking over. More than that, despite the Flying Spur’s vast size, it generally feels agile on the road and seldom do you feel as if it’s getting away from you.

The Flying Spur for passengers is slightly less convincing. It’s roomy in the rear, although a long-wheelbase Audi A8 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class are far more accommodating, and the ambiance is unrivalled. Check out the quality of the materials used and the tactile pleasure you get from the controls and every surface you come into contact with. The ride quality isn’t quite up there with the best either, with some surface irregularities filtering through to the cabin via its 21- or 22-inch wheels to disturb the overall serenity. But that’s a minor criticism.

Overall, it’s a magnificent luxury car with a unique set of talents. It’s monstrously fast, effortless, handsome, easy to drive and classy. It’s a huge leap over the last Flying Spur, and a clear sign that there’s still lots of life left in the luxury saloon for years to come. We’re looking forward to the upcoming plug-in hybrid.