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14.11.2003. Latest rumours about Bentley Flying Spur
Here are some exclusive details about the most exciting, expensive and luxurious Bentley ever produced, and it will be here soon.

Driving around the snowy wastes of the Arctic Circle is a test mule for the most expensive and luxurious hand-crafted Bentley ever produced.

It's a car designed to go head-to-head with the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Mercedes Benz Maybach.

Apparently, underneath the makeshift exterior panels of the test car, there is a version of the new Audi A8 floor pan, a new four-wheel drive system, programmable air suspension and a truck-like six-speed automatic gearbox attached to a massively complex, near silent, VW designed W16 engine of about 8-litres, which, with the aid of superchargers is said to develop an over 1000 bhp. When the Bentley finally appears, it will look far more elegant than the iffy looking prototypes seen in some magazines. Insiders suggest that it may wear a longer version of the GT's body.

Typically, it will be hand crafted, with each car custom-built to buyers specifications, using the finest materials. Audi's influence on the interior quality is rumored to have made the Maybach interior look like a cheap Nissan by comparison. Ala Maybach too, there will be two lengths of wheelbase offered, and equipment levels will be esoteric by comparison. Bentley hopes the new limo will make it's first appearance at the Detroit show in 2005, if not a little later. Deliveries to customers with $400k to spend can expect a car by the end of 2005.

autonews.com