THE Italians may have cornered the market when it comes to the most stylish and sought-after sports cars but as far as sophisticated sporting saloons are concerned no one does it quite like the British.
And arguably there’s no better brand to fit the bill than Bentley.
Former stable-mate Rolls-Royce may have created something of a degree of separation between the two by moving the marque slightly further upmarket, but to my mind you can’t beat Bentley when it comes to an example of all-round British automotive excellence.
People probably tend to think of the Continental as a two-door grand tourer, the Flying Spur saloon version sitting somewhat in the shadows in comparison but it has nonetheless made its mark as Bentley’s best selling saloon to date.
You can choose from two models, a standard one or the Speed which boasts enhanced performance from the awesome 6.0-litre W12 engine.
Arguably the £17,000 price difference is a lot, but let’s face it if you’re going to be looking at buying a new Bentley you won’t be quibbling over spending a few extra thousand, or tens of thousands for that matter.
Certainly if you want the ultimate in terms of performance the Speed is worth going the extra mile for.
The Flying Spur looks the part. It has that unmistakeable character that instantly identifies it as a Bentley but manages to combine it with a look that is modern and minimalist too.
The first thing that strikes you is just how large it is and its bulk is something that takes a little getting used to.
Not only would I not consider taking it into any kind of cramped multi-story car park but I was even reluctant to put it in an outdoor car park due to entrances and exits that seem to have been designed specifically to test drivers’ skills at navigating tight gaps without damaging their paintwork.
Mind you having become accustomed to the Flying Spur’s dimensions it was less of an issue and I even felt comfortable doing three-point-turns in narrow cul-de-sacs.
If it takes a while to get used to those dimensions it doesn’t take long to get accustomed to the level of comfort and opulence the Flying Spur offers.
Quite a few cars offer one the opportunity to be cocooned in your own little world, tucked away from the harsh realities of the outside world but it’s difficult to imagine any car that can do it quite so competently or completely.
I even found getting stuck in some pretty severe rush hour traffic a pleasant experience.
The Flying Spur’s interior is something of a temple to first-rate British bespoke craftsmanship, from the finely–stitched soft leather seats to the beautifully sculpted matching veneers on the dash.
This car had two rather than three seats in the rear too, meaning every occupant was treated to an identical level of comfort, passengers in the rear enjoying the sort of legroom that would rival that offered in first class air travel.
One of the many optional extras included veneered picnic tables for rear seat passengers.
Indeed there were indeed many on-board extras (about £20,000 worth), including the excellent Naim sound system which comes with a £5,260 price tag and a rear seat entertainment package which will set you back a similar sum.
Others such as the rearview camera might be deemed an essential extra for such a large car (I don’t think those cul-de-sac three-point turns would have been quite so easy without it).
Given its size the revelation of the Flying Spur is its handling prowess and all-round agility. Not surprisingly that 6.0-litre engine produces a huge amount of power (600bhp) and it feels as if it’s instantly at your disposal whenever you need to make rapid progress.
As well as being an incredibly comfortable car to travel in with glide-like almost magic carpet ride quality the Flying Spur springs into action when the occasion demands and comes to life as a truly great driver’s car.
Its versatility is enhanced by air suspension and a variety of settings mean you can opt for extremes of comfort or a firm and sporty ride, or indeed somewhere in between.
Four-wheel-drive means you have as much grip as you could want for and when being pushed that big engine emits some delightful notes from a gutsy growl to a fully-fledged roar.
Yes, it’s certainly pricey, but if the cash isn’t a consideration and you like the idea of buying into a historic British brand that offers all-round excellence and a hefty slice of exclusivity, it’s difficult to imagine anything else fitting the bill in quite the same way.
FAST FACTS
Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed
Price: £154,600
Mechanical: 600bhp, 5,998cc, 12cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox
Max speed: 200mph
0-62mph: 4.8 seconds
Combined mpg: 16.6
Insurance group: 20
CO2 emissions: 396g/km
BIK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited miles