Bentley Flying Spur 
Вся галерея мероприятия
Speaking of «square», I mean the form, rather than the square. For car monumentality does not cause problems. Those who prefer to buy for the same money property, please do not worry. Вся галерея мероприятия
Already it is not the first time you look at the Bentley cars, in my mind there is the word «substantial». Indeed, the car that has such forms, first of all signals to all others on the status and the nature of its owner. This is especially true of cars with four doors: the number clearly implies the existence of a personal chauffeur. But is Bentley owner prefers to go to the second row of seats?
Bentley Continental Flying Spur was first shown to the public in 1957. Curiously, this luxury saloon was built on the basis of Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. The difference lay in the fact that if at the wheel of a Rolls-Royce to go to was bad form, it's just an option Bentley is perfectly allowed. Thus it becomes clear and the car philosophy: Rest of the Rolls-Royce at the wheel of a luxury car. And secular society does not condemn you.
The word «Continental» already bore meaning. Bentley Continental as a cruise ship, where comfortable to go to travel across seas and countries. Dimensions of the device and the interior of the car allowed the happy owner with the absolute comfort of travel between distant points of the continent.
Flying Spur has appeared in the title for another reason. These two words — a tribute genealogy vanity coachbuilder Mulliner director Harold T. Johnston, on the family coat of arms which was displayed Flying Spur. At the time, the studio has been developing the body for the new Bentley model.
Flying Spur that period lasted on the market nine years, after which it was discontinued. And only 60 years was resumed the next time after production.
At this time, the donor for Flying Spur was chosen Volkswagen Phaeton, and in my opinion this is not the worst donor. Phaeton sorely underrated car, beautiful in its coziness and comfort, and affordable, the market average far below the proposed Quality. Flying Spur concern only helped to realize the potential of this model.
... Looking at the Bentley Flying Spur I want to pick up a cigar.
Yes, I do not smoke, and when the smoke — cigars were not part of my daily life, but in the minds of stamps draw me pictures of the books of my childhood and forced to recall the line «Mister Twister, a former minister, Mr. Twister, a millionaire...»
Perhaps 80 years ago, Mr. Twister and sat behind the wheel Flying Spur, only when he got tired of reading stock quotes on the back seat of your own Rolls-Royce, but now things have changed. Changed and the point of view of Bentley on your customer, not for nothing that they are actively involved in motorsport events — from the racing series Blancpain GT Series and ending participation in the establishment of speed records.
Flying Spur is primarily a four-door version of the Bentley Continental GT, a coupe and if — the machine mainly for two, here «chetyrehdverki» — the car has a family. Do you think your driver family member — the second question, but statistics tell us that the owners of the modern Bentley Flying Spur prefer to ride behind the wheel yourself.
What you see, opening the door into the car the Bentley, leads to a quiet state of joy no matter what is the door — driver or passenger. Even a glance at the interior is enough to understand that you will be very comfortable here. At the same time, a car that got me for a test drive, inside looks pretty restrained dark gray leather with a longitudinal seam, a bit inserts lacquered wood, but lots of aluminum trim elements, which from the beginning were the corporate identity of all these British cars. And surprisingly — the style of kitsch are separated some inexorable microns: a little more luster, slightly less than the invoice, and the amount of metal would remind cheap Asian automotive industry. But here it is not annoying! There's even «grandmother's set,» as I call lacquered wood inserts in the interior of the car, looks completely out of place. Moreover — in style!
It is interesting that I almost do not know people who would be at first sight and the first time like Bentley. It is called the «behemoth», «suitcase», «chest» and various other «flattering» names. But I understand why. In order to comprehend this machine, you need to become an adult.... Not old, not retired — not this car for those who decided on their ambitions and their place in life, and whose inner child has become so reasonable that he is ready to sit in the Bentley. This car is for those who are willing to accept the «adult world» and in it. But the funny thing is that you can also fool around in this world.
... Solidly porykivaya, Bentley Flying Spur is moving through the city streets. Cherry blossom is very it is because it reduces the degree of seriousness of his physique and intentions. Move the car measured; hurry it is not something that is not to face, but just do not want to. And although my version under the hood «only» four-liter V8 rated at 507 hp, and the W12 is not charismatic, still you know what to press on the gas pedal can at any time, but you do not have to prove anything. Yet sometimes there is a temptation.
Surprisingly, this huge and heavy, weighing nearly 2.5 tons sedan accelerates almost instantly. What is a colossus of 5.2 seconds to 100 km / h? Before the start of acceleration he stammers slightly, if asked, are you sure you want this? And then picking up speed so that captures the spirit, not only you, but also all others. Even V8 sounds that drew the attention of those around. Even if they go to their cars with their windows and loud music in the lounge. And what can we say about the W12?
It is commonly believed that the larger the car, the more it becomes awkward. I confess: I played on him at checkers. Oo! What was the party! This ambivalent feeling when you are inside virtually unmoved and outside moves almost perpendicular to the motion. But most importantly, that these do not bring you to have cheap fun car standard Gopnik, because do you feel like in the joke about a herd of cows and two bulls. And of course, he plays the role of a solid bull that is in a hurry, but manages to anywhere.
... This spring, the natural ice of Baikal team LAVRacing multiple champion Russian motorsport Andrei Leontiev set a new absolute record — shows the maximum average rate at a distance of over 1000 km on the car Bentley Flying Spur W12. To set the record used a commercial vehicle without any modifications, complete with serial buses PirelliSottoZero 2, as well as standard technical liquids.
Looped route length of 8680 km over 11 hours and 01 minutes were three pilots, one after another during technical stops for refueling.
The average speed in the movement of 96 km / h, and the overall average for GPS devices — 92 km / h. These figures are record. To achieve their pilots on the straight track section had to keep moving at a speed exceeding 220 km / h and a maximum speed achieved on the track, exceeded 262 kilometers per hour.
... The car, which we are tested, was also present in Lake Baikal during the establishment of speed records, but acted as a support vehicle. speed record on it was not installed.
P. S. thank the company OPIN and LCD «Rublevo Park» for their help in organizing the filming.
Photo: Maria Melnikova
