[Taboleo] How to Ride My Own Car That Exists Nowhere Else

Bentley Continental GT·Flying Spur

The advancement of technology has leveled up the performance and quality of automobiles. Nowadays, the distinction between domestic and imported cars can only be found in their design. However, this applies to ordinary vehicles. The story changes when it comes to ultra-luxury cars, such as Bentley and Rolls-Royce. These brands are armed with a long history and craftsmanship. Their hefty price tags and the ability to afford the maintenance costs mean they are not something you can just get your hands on immediately. This is why they are called luxury goods.

Exterior of the Bentley Continental GT Mulliner. Photo by Yoo Hyun-seok

Another characteristic of luxury cars is personalization. Depending on the exterior color and interior design, various vehicles can be created. In other words, you can make a car that is uniquely yours. The ride comfort and performance go without saying.

Among such luxury cars, I had the chance to drive a Bentley last month in Crewe, UK. Models like the Bentayga SUV and Continental GT Convertible (GTC) were available. The most memorable vehicles were the Continental Grand Tourer (GT) and Flying Spur. To sum up the test drive in one sentence: "Luxury is luxury for a reason."

Bentley vehicles. Continental GTC S (from the left), Continental GT Mulliner, Bentayga, Azure, Flying Spur Azure, Flying Spur S. Photo by Yoo Hyun-seok.

The first car I drove was the Continental GT 'Mulliner.' The Continental GT Mulliner was recently launched in Korea. Previously, only a single trim was sold, but now it has been segmented into S, Azure, and Mulliner trims. Mulliner is the top-tier trim. The biggest exterior difference between the GT Mulliner and the regular GT is the front radiator grille. The GT Mulliner features a 'Double Diamond Matrix Grille,' which is chunkier than the previous grille, clearly expressing its presence. Additionally, the headlights sparkle like crystal. When viewed up close, the finely cut details naturally evoke the word 'beautiful.'

Side view of the Continental GT. Photo by Hyunseok Yoo

The interior is stunning. The center console is adorned with diamond-patterned trim. The dashboard is glossy black, with the word 'Mulliner' inscribed in English at the edge. The doors are filled with diamond-shaped stitching. Especially on the armrest, the letter 'B' is engraved, showing meticulous attention to detail wherever your eyes and hands touch. The center fascia features a rotating display that catches the eye. Depending on the choice, it can be a touchscreen or an analog clock.

The driver's side door of the Continental GT Mulliner. Photo by Hyunseok Yoo

The test drive route around Crewe was truly rural. For example, the road was very narrow, and sometimes the two-lane road suddenly became a single lane. Most sections had a speed limit of 60 mph (about 100 km/h). The road was also uneven in many places. It was a challenging section to drive on in many ways. But Bentley was Bentley.

The ride comfort was excellent. The GT vehicle is a luxury high-performance sports coupe/convertible designed for long-distance driving. In other words, it is designed to travel long distances quickly and comfortably. The Continental GT perfectly matched that description. Although the road was bumpy, I did not feel fatigued from the surrounding environment throughout the drive. Moreover, it was impressive how well the noise was suppressed despite the uneven road surface.

Interior view of the Continental GT Mulliner. Photo by Yoo Hyun-seok

The acceleration was also excellent. There was a section where I could slightly accelerate, and it felt like a smooth, gentle push forward. The car I drove was a 6L V12 twin-turbo engine model, which is not sold in Korea. It can go from zero to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. The model sold in Korea is a 4L V8 twin-turbo engine, which takes 4 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill. Since there is no difference in specifications other than the powertrain for the Continental GT Mulliner, I believe the V8 model can also be thoroughly enjoyed.

The exterior of the Flying Spur S. Photo by Hyunseok Yoo

The next car I drove was the Flying Spur, Bentley's large sedan. The model I drove was the S trim, which has not yet been released in Korea but is currently available for order. The 'S' stands for Speed, emphasizing sporty performance.

First, the vertical grille stood out on the exterior. The car I drove had a black grille, which gave a heavy and solid impression. Especially, the bonnet line flows smoothly without interruption from the radiator grille. The Flying B emblem was impressive. The wings of the emblem are made of lights, so they illuminate at night. It clearly reinforces the Bentley identity. The car is also large. The Flying Spur S has a length of 5316 mm. Considering that the Genesis large sedan G90 is 5275 mm, you can gauge its size. The width reaches 1990 mm.

Flying B emblem on the Bentley Flying Spur. Photo by Yoo Hyun-seok

The interior is as elegant as the GT Mulliner mentioned earlier. The center fascia of the car I drove felt like the surface of a stone, giving a sense of weight similar to the exterior. The orange accents on the gear lever, steering wheel, and stitching prevented it from feeling too heavy. Below the rotating display, there was a clock that emphasized luxury.

Interior view of the Flying Spur S. Photo by Hyunseok Yoo

The ride comfort is cozy. Especially when sitting in the rear seat, you can truly feel what success tastes like. You can relax comfortably in the spacious interior. I am 174 cm tall, and when sitting in the second row, there was more than enough knee room for two fists. Notably, the headliner is made of suede material rather than leather, unlike typical cars. Resting my head on it, I felt a snug fit that made it even more comfortable. The performance of this car is similar to the Continental GT V8. It is equipped with a 4L V8 twin-turbo engine, and it takes 4.1 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h. The difference from the GT is the sense of weight. When accelerating, it pushes forward heavily, and the speedometer quickly hits 100.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.