2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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If Bentley's history is to repeat itself, the largely carried-over 2012 Continental Flying Spur will very likely be the last of this generation. A large myriad of two-tone exterior schemes and 14 different interior tri-tone treatments join the stylistic renderings of this year's Flying Spur and Flying Spur Speed under the banner of the Series 51 design department. When the Continental GT adopted the same exclusive design cues, it was totally revamped for the following year, but so far, Big Ben has been exceptionally tight-lipped about any changes coming down the pipeline.
For 2012 Bentley also endowed the entire Continental Flying Spur lineup with new options for blue-painted brake calipers or front fender vents with either black or chrome mesh inserts. Aside from form, Bentley added a touch of long-awaited function by finally answering calls for a modern infotainment system with a 30GB hard-drive-based navigation system in every Flying Spur. The new system is compatible with Google Maps in most places and will find the precise location of photographic geotags stored on an SD card.
You would expect such a prestigious company to listen to its customers, and Bentley is no stranger to facing the music—but in its own sweet time. Just like the infotainment system, Bentley owners are critical of the wrinkles showing up in the line's old-world charm over the last few years. However, Bentley does things a little differently than most makers—namely, by hand—and so it takes longer to address some issues. Perhaps the 2013 edition will take care of those concerns—and if Big Ben's history is to be any indication, we can look forward to an inspirational reveal.
One thing likely to remain completely unchanged is the Flying Spur's rider focus. All 5,557 pounds of this behemoth are dedicated entirely to impeccably controlled comfort with all-wheel drive and an invincible stability control system working in tandem to keep its four wheels grounded and in complete control. The brakes work far too well for sporty driving, causing a gritty nosedive into tight curves and nearly throwing the tail into a spin or at least a drift in the process, but again the brakes put their boots down against such silly antics and bring the car back to balance within seconds.
In so doing Bentley has managed to eliminate the vast majority of G-forces passengers must endure, the end result being at least a full point of lateral gravity less than its next nearest Rolls competitor—but Big Ben didn't stop there. The engine too is geared specifically toward dense comfort, offering all 479 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 rpm clear up to peak 552 horsepower at 6,100 rpm. This makes for a deceptively powerful machine capable of carrying itself up to triple-digit speeds effortlessly, and with no hint at all as to when this 6-liter 12-cylinder shifted on its way up to 6th gear.
Although the serene cabin and silken engine would have you believe the world outside has no effect on you, there is one shift you're sure to notice—getting just 11 mpg city/19 highway. No word on whether a hybrid is in the works, but if Big Ben is serious about getting modern it would do well to address the Flying Spur's only vulnerability: thirst.
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2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · CD changer: 6 · 6 disc CD/DVD in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Rear audio: rear volume control · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · Remote control: audio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 14
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.1 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: simulated wood · Floor Mat Material: premium carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather and alloy
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: two 12V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.53 · Limited slip differential: center
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Bumper color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Stripes: side
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in. · Video monitor location: dual rear · Video monitor size: 7
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close · Sunroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Parking sensors: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat: ventilated · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Diameter: 19 · Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted steel
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 7
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Privacy glass: rear
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · CD changer: 6 · 6 disc CD/DVD in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Rear audio: rear volume control · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · Remote control: audio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 13
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.9 · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.1 · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather and alloy
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: rear console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: passenger seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: two 12V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.53 · Limited slip differential: center
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Bumper color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: two-tone · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Stripes: side
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in. · Video monitor location: dual rear · Video monitor size: 7
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass · Sunroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Parking sensors: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather · Ventilated: front and rear
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Privacy glass: rear window

