2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

The world's fastest production sedan was introduced for the 2006 model year. A direct result of Bentley's new owners, the Volkswagen Auto Group, the Flying Spur shares its basic underpinnings and some mechanical bits with VW's late Phaeton.

For 2008, Bentley decided to update the Flying Spur's electronic stability program and offer optional carbon ceramic brakes should owners try and test that 195 mph top speed. An optional three-spoke steering wheel along with improved Bluetooth capability round out the changes.

The powerplant responsible for that world-beating top speed is VW's complex W12 engine. It displaces 6.0 liters and sports two turbochargers to make 552 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. It transfers power to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The EPA rates the Spur's fuel economy at 10 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.

Standard equipment on the Spur includes twin HID headlights with washer jets, 19-inch alloy wheels, a tire pressure monitoring system, cruise control, keyless entry and ignition, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a choice of 16 colors. On the inside, one has a choice of 17 colors for the leather-appointed interior and matching carpets and seatbelts, there are steering-column mounted shift paddles, a sunroof with electronic sunshade, a DVD navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, a six-CD changer in the glove compartment and voice dialing through the integrated Bluetooth system. The front seats feature lumbar massage, memory and heat settings. The rear seat's outer occupants enjoy lumbar massage and heating settings as well. The trunk is power opening and closing.

Options include a choice of three 19-inch wheel styles and a 20-inch wheel and tire package, and the sunroof can be had with a solar panel to power ventilation fans to maintain interior temperature when parked. Inside, three veneers are available in addition to the standard one, a choice of leather trims for the two steering wheels, and a full-length center console turns the car into a four-seater but adds electrically adjustable rear seats.

Convenience options include a cordless privacy handset with keypad in center console, a rear telephone system, and a rear-view camera to aid in parking.