The four-door Continental Flying Spur saloon was
shown at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show in March. The
Flying Spur utilizes the Volkswagen Phaeton platform,
and will be available in the United States in the
summer of 2005 for around US$175,000. Together they
will take Bentley production from around 1000 units
in 2003 to nearly 9000 units in 2006.
One
notable aspect of the Continental Flying Spur
is its grille. Although it looks like a traditional
chromed brass mesh, it is actually made of plastic.
This was done to add pedestrian safety to the
car — it is designed to break apart on impact
to soften the blow. However, it will not meet
the forthcoming European Union pedestrian safety
regulations.
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