
The 2009 model year will see Bentley christen its Continental Flying Spur with details and gadgetry and presence it granted the Continental GT coupe for 2008. That means the new Flying Spur will bow with exterior treatments, especially to the front of the car, a greater palette for whims over interior materials, paradoxically more profound audio system capabilities and more attempts to isolate the cabin from road noise, and details beyond.
Probably more exciting, particularly since Bentleys make it onto desktops far more frequently than they do owner’s driveways, is Bentley’s addition of a Speed variant to the Flying Spur model lineup. Copy the monstrous 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque from the Continental GT Speed, and the Flying Spur becomes seriously fast. It passes 60 miles per hour in an official 4.5 seconds, and will go beyond 200 mph.
Distinguishing the Flying Spur Speed will be a host of exterior meanness: dark grilles, fattened exhausts, 20 inch wheels, available carbon ceramic brakes. Inside, the Speed earns a unique three-spoke steering wheel and a host of bits to ensure the driver is constantly aware of where the extra money went—that is, if playing with the right pedal is not enough.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a Flying Spur Speed gallery or through the jump to read Bentley’s press release.)