The 2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur marks the brand's attempt at an even more luxurious version of the coveted Continental. It falls in line nicely with Bentley's other offerings, with opulent amenities, impressive power, titanic weight and all the prestige that one needs to feel as though they are driving a luxury sedan. The Flying Spur is deceptively fast, speed builds up and the only way the driver would know is to watch the needle rise. Quite honestly, acceleration is smooth that the transmission shifts from the six-speed automatic may as well not even be there. The 6.0-liter W12 flex-fuel engine delivers 552 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, which can move the nearly 6,482 pound Bentley from zero to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. While this may not be quite as fast as its competitors, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur handles like a dream, corners aggressively and provides a smooth ride to all passengers thanks to the four-wheel independent suspension. What makes the engine truly unique is that it can run on gasoline or B85 biofuel, making it a top pick for environmental enthusiasts.
Despite the car's rave reviews, there are a few problems with the 2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur that consumers seem to mention over-and-over again. Electronic stability control cannot be completely shut off, which makes having a little fun nearly impossible. When braking, the vehicle takes a bit of a nose dive too; it is actually a lot more than one would expect from a car with active suspension. Overall it is fun, but that fun can be sapped away by the sometimes overbearing stability control. The new 2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur offers up a ludicrously large array of options and styles to choose from, but the ones that stand out most are the Series 51 designs. The Series 51 designs represent 14 different color and trim combinations, some of which offer unique colors of premium wheels. Of course, all are approved by Bentley's style experts.
Although expensive, the 2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur offers unparalleled luxury, paired up with an engine that produces a ridiculous amount of power in a package that weighs two or three times more than other cars on the road. That is why it is a must-have; the opulence, the power, the uncompromising devotion to comfort and attention to detail are the driving forces behind the Bentley, and it shows.