John and Tina Dutton...
John and Tina Dutton, from Birmingham, pulled up at the booths on the M6 Toll in the West Midlands, and couldn"t believe what was queueing next to them. "From pictures I"d seen in Auto Express, I recognised it as the new Bentley," said John. "Tina handed me the camera while we were waiting in our line, and I took a photograph."
The prototype was in convoy with a W12-engined VW Touareg and a Mercedes S-Class, and as it drove off John kept snapping. We"re glad he did; based on the Continental GT coup탩, the Flying Spur will use Bentley"s 6.0-litre W12 turbo engine coupled with all-wheel drive for supercar performance.
It will also share many styling cues with its coup탩 brother. Despite the Mercedes S-Class disguise, including fake tail-lights and a taped-over rear pillar, the saloon retains the GT"s distinctive swooping curves. Up front, the trademark Bentley grille and twin headlamps will make this one of the most imposing luxury saloons on the road.
Inside, the focus will be on com-fort and style, with chrome, wood and leather dominating the passenger compartment. Drivers looking for a more sporting feel will be able to specify a Mulliner pack, adding bigger wheels and tyres, plus different interior trim.
Expected to make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the Flying Spur will slot below the Arnage in the Bentley range until an all-new flagship arrives in 2007. Prices are likely to be around í‚á£110,000.