THE world is full of contradictions.
One of the shorter words in the English language is 'big' but it means precisely the opposite of its length.
In the world of cars, everyone knows a Bentley is big, and the full name of its latest model is almost as long as the car itself but any preconceptions about it are short-lived.
When the foot is down, it is a phenomenally fast and surprisingly agile car. Sophistication is not sacrificed for speed, refinement for raw power nor comfort for capability.
Introduced in July 2008 as the pinnacle of performance for the brand anxious to recover its sporting pedigree earned in endurance events at racing circuits throughout Europe and to distance it from the former stable mate Rolls-Royce brand, the Bentley CFS Speed is probably the world's swiftest genuine four-seater.
While Bentley has suffered like every other car maker in the current recession, the Speed offers hope of sales being stimulated until the 'baby Bentley' is introduced next year.
The company is part of the Volkswagen Group and it uses a modified powertrain from the Phaeton to power this Crewe creation, which is still largely hand built to account for much of the price.
Under the immense bonnet of the big Bentley lurks a 6.0 W12-cylinder engine which blends power with exceptional smoothness and delivery through a semi-automatic six-speed transmission. You have a conventional dual mode selector on the console for fully automatic or manual use but there are also column mounted paddles for up and down changes by fingertips.
The instant start-up is immediately followed by a deep burble and under gentle acceleration there is no appreciable rise in engine note but it changes to a ready-for-anything rumble if you depress the throttle and hang onto the wheel while the Bentley gobbles up the yards with deceptive ease.
The 553lb/ft of torque is immense and shrugs off the Bentley's 2,500kg of bulk as if it was just a lightweight sports car. It is an awesome experience.
What's more the gearchanges are achieved with a creamy smoothness whatever is asked of the car and its down-changes are similarly silky. If you want to make manual changes by hand or fingertips, the system retains that softness of touch. It must be one of the best powertrains of any car.
Having all that power underfoot has to be balanced with a braking system which can contain it as desired and the Bentley Speed is well blessed in the braking department with massive discs which need only light pedal pressure to bring about rapid deceleration but which manage to retain remarkable feel up to the last few inches of stopping distance.
You may consider the 5.3m length of the Speed a daunting prospect but it turns very quickly and easily with the progressive power steering although you will probably fill two conventional parking bays with it. On open roads it gives the driver good feedback about where the wheels are pointing at any time yet it does not produce vibrations.
For such a big car the Bentley Speed displays unusual agility thanks to the responsive powertrain and major controls and its road holding is very good although you get a strong feeling it wants to run wide on tighter turns. Ease off and it all comes back on line very safely and undramatically.
The secondary controls are split between fascia switches and column stalks for the most common features, they are sensibly placed and work well and big instruments are directly infront of the driver. The faces are clear, well marked and easy to read at night and include a multi-function display for a variety of systems.
Backing up this information display infront of the driver is a bigger panel on the central console for heating and ventilation selection, on-board computer, entertainment, tyre pressure and adjustable shock absorbers, which adjust at the turn of a knob for soft or hard settings.
The climate control works on two levels, either side and front and back so every one has their own mini environment and my test car came with headrest mounted monitor screens and entertainment system in the back. Ideal for watching your favourite episodes of The Apprentice or Dragons' Den.
The Speed and its stablemate Spur can be specified with Bentley Adaptive Cruise Control. The ACC uses a long-range radar sensor, mounted in the lower front grille, to monitor the road ahead for other vehicles. When a slower moving vehicle is detected, the system automatically adjusts braking and acceleration to maintain a 'time gap', as selected by the driver.
The 'time gap' also controls the vehicle dynamic response. The larger the time gap the more relaxed the acceleration and braking, allowing the driver to tune the ACC system to suit their preferred driving style or to the prevailing traffic conditions.
Bentley has also teamed up with renowned British hi-fi manufacturer, Naim. Designed exclusively for Bentley and available as a further option for both the Continental Flying Spur and Flying Spur Speed, the Naim system features an 1100 Watt amplifier (the most powerful in a production car) and 15 custom-built speakers. A next-generation Digital Signal Processor further enhances the listening experience. It is a truly awesome aural experience.
Oddments room is plentiful throughout the Bentley Speed and the boot lid opens from bumper height to reveal 475 litres capacity.
The room for driver and passengers is also very generous. Seats adjust over a good range and the column's electric settings combined with the seat movements should create any desired control position for the driver.
Wide opening doors give good access and those in the back have abundant legroom and headroom while the shape of the seats holds occupants securely and comfortably on twisting roads.
Visibility is very good to front and sides, more restricted over the shoulder or when reversing and in bad conditions the far-ranging lights and big sweeping wipers ensure you miss very little.
Road rumbles are probably the most consistent characteristic of the car as the engine note is usually muted but agreeably rises and intensifies under foot. Other mechanical noises are virtually absent, as is wind noise.
There are executive saloons and sports cars which can match it in terms of performance, yet it turns heads with its sheer 'presence' on the road.
The Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed sits in a niche of the market which is almost its own. That's a little niche with a big car in it. Thank heavens for contradictions.
FAST FACTS
Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed
Price: £137,000
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: 17
Insurance group: 20
CO2 emissions: 396g/km
BIK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage