2015 Bentley Continental Flying Spur W12 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible

There are few things in this world I enjoy more than an enthusiastic drive down tree-lined backroads on a warm summer evening. If you're familiar with the geographic location of Detroit, you won't be shocked to learn that we don't have the sort of very-involving roads found all throughout California and other gorgeous parts of the country, but we still have some stretches of pavement that can be pretty darn fun when driven in the right car. The vast majority of our scenic roads, however, are of a more relaxed nature. And that's why, despite my tendency to prefer high-strung hot hatches above all, I will never say no to a big, fast convertible during the warm season.
As far as said big, fast convertibles go, perhaps none is more exquisite than the 2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible, pictured here in the striking shade of St. James Red. Not long after returning from my trip across the pond to drive Bentley's V8-powered Flying Spur sedan, I was given the chance to sample another one of its eight-cylinder wares, this one carrying less heft, offering a smidge more power, and, oh yeah, a roof that neatly stows behind the rear seats.
As luck would have it, the weather for my Conti weekend was the absolute definition of perfection. And so I took to those sweeping, tree-lined roads way outside of Detroit to see how this Bentley's "S" badge improves upon the lovely GT V8 Convertible I drove last year. Hard work, but somebody's gotta do it.

2017 Bentley Bentayga officially revealed

The Bentayga is not only Bentley's first production SUV, but the fastest and most powerful one in the business. It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here. The Bentayga is not only Bentley's first production SUV, but the fastest and most powerful one in the business. Set to make its grand debut at the fast-approaching Frankfurt Motor Show, the all-new Bentley Bentayga is the redesigned successor to the EXP 9 F concept that debuted to lukewarm reception back at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The design bears all of Bentley's hallmarks, albeit applied to a taller form that shouldn't be unfamiliar to Range Rover owners. It certainly looks better than the original concept, but we'll reserve final judgment until we see it in person next week. Up front we find four round LED headlamps, the outer set taking an outline not unlike those we saw on the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept. Bentley says that rear haunch panel represents the largest single-piece aluminum pressing in the industry – said another way, it allows the Bentayga to be 520 pounds lighter than a non-aluminum construction. Glass panels account for nearly 60 percent of the roof's surface, and a hands-free tailgate gives access not only to a large cargo bay, but a folding seat for enjoying the view wherever the ultra-luxe sport-ute takes you. The Bentayga will get you there in a hurry, too, thanks to a powerful W12 engine. It's got both direct and indirect injection, cylinder deactivation, and a stop/start system with coasting mode. The net result is an output quoted at 600 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, this engine will rocket the Bentayga to 60 miles per hour in four seconds flat and on to a top speed of 187 miles per hour. It's the fastest production SUV in the world. Bentley intends to launch a seven-seat version, a higher performance Speed model, and more efficient diesel and hybrid variants. The Bentayga also features a four-mode adjustable air suspension, electronic active roll control, and electric power-assisted variable steering. It's also got predictive, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, rear crossing traffic warning, hill descent control, around-view monitor, and available park assist, electronic night vision, and head-up display systems. The driver controls everything via a large dial in the center console, which also handles drive modes and traction management.

$10,000 champagne bottle cooler? Only in a Bentley

Bentleys are expensive. They wouldn't be Bentleys if they weren't. Even so, the ~$200k list price for a new Flying Spur is just the starting point. The company's Mulliner customization division offers a wide array of optional extras – all of them suitably pricey – and just introduced a new selection for the sedan. Highlighting the options list for the Continental's sedan counterpart is a champagne bottle cooler mounted between the rear seats behind the armrest. The on-board mini-fridge fits two standard-size champagne bottles – no magnums, we're afraid – canted forward, as well as a stopper and a pair of flutes with bases designed to evoke the shape of the wheels outside. It all fits in behind frosted glass trimmed in chrome, just in case it wasn't blingy enough for the hip-hop set, and takes Bentley's craftsmen 15 hours to make. No wonder the company charges $10,135 for each one installed, which comes within a Bentley buyer's pocket change of a new Nissan Versa. The manufacturer does not typically "disclose to the public prices for bespoke features," Bentley spokesperson Erin Bronner told Autoblog, "as these are private commissions" and pricing varies from region to region. But the options list, as you might have guessed, does not start and end with the wine cooler. It also includes specially painted veneer panels, quilted stitching, scent atomizers in Stirling silver, and a leather-trimmed storage compartment for jewelry. Related Video: BESPOKE MULLINER FEATURES MAKE DEBUT IN FLYING SPUR - New range of Mulliner bespoke features available in Flying Spur - Refrigerated bottle cooler, sterling silver atomisers and painted veneers now offered - Mulliner specialist coach-building division brings Bentley customers' visions to life - Bentley Flying Spur combines class-leading refinement with effortless performance (Crewe, 01 February 2016) Mulliner, Bentley's in-house coach-building division, is revealing its latest range of bespoke creations for the Flying Spur, enabling customers to personalise the four-door luxury sedan to an even higher level. For the first time, the Flying Spur can now be specified with a refrigerated bottle cooler between the rear seats, painted veneers, Mulliner quilted leather, sterling silver atomisers and hide-trimmed stowage boxes.