Performance Review: Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 6.0 W12 - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Continental Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 6.0 W12 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Bentley Continental has a 5998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a W formation.

Alternative Petrol W12's includes the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo

The Continental shares its Petrol W12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo and the 2017 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Continental's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2475 kgs (5456 lbs) this makes the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 6.0 W12 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley Continental shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp)

In terms of power the 5998cc 48V W12 engine produces 602 bhp (448 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp).

The Turbo W12 throws out 553 lb-ft (749.7 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (561 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Bentley Continental you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2011 BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 (268.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Continental.

The Bentley Continental has a Power to weight ratio of 243.2 bhp per ton and 223.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Continental competing with the 2011 BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 (268.2 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo (268.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Bentley Continental generating around 223.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2016 Bentley Continental GT Speed 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo Convertible (248.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1965 Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 (248.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.6 secs, this made the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 6.0 W12 as fast as the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the or the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs). This Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 6.0 W12 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the and the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Continental and the 1967 Pontiac GTO 6.6 Litre V8 HO

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Continental on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.67 secs @ 108.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1967 Pontiac GTO 6.6 Litre V8 HO (12.61 secs), the 2015 BMW 3 Series 340i xDrive F30 LCI (12.62 secs), and the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ (12.64 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 6.0 W12 has a maximum speed of 200mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Continental equals the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (211 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 6.0 W12 then how about the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (211 mph), the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (211 mph), or the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (211 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Continental Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison