It feels like a Bentley and it goes like a Bentley, but it doesn’t cost like a Bentley and it most certainly doesn’t look like a Bentley, so what is it?

Truth be told, it might as well be a Bentley. It’s common knowledge that Volkswagen own the Bentley car company and it’s their influence and funding that has perfected the Arnage, launched the Continental GT and the even more feminine convertible model. And yes, the Flying Spur.
And that’s where we make our connection. Although the Phaeton is certainly no Arnage, it is however, almost identical inside to the Bentley Flying Spur.

So it boils down to how much of a badge snob you are. As far as looks are concerned, I personally think the Phaeton looks perfectly ordinary, whilst the Flying Spur looks slightly ugly.

Moving onwards, the interior is feature-rich, and very comfortable, with every feature imaginable including dynamic cruise-control and a freeview TV tuner in the front.

The real pleasure from this particular model though does not belong to the passenger tucked away in the back seats, legs stretched out. But the driver, with his or leg foot on the friendly side of one of the most fantastical engines of our time, the 6 litre VW W12.

This vehicle packs a serious punch, and you can rest assured that should anyone ever call this a “big Passat”, a quick scoot around the block will chance anyone’s opinion.