You Can Thank China for Bentley's Back Seat Bonanza

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Back in the day when Bentleys and Rolls-Royces hailed from the same Crewe factory, the "Flying B" varieties were considered the car of choice for drivers, while the Rollers were the undisputed pick for those who preferred to be chauffered.

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Fast forward to 2013, and the new world order has dramatically shifted the relationship between those once entwined manufacturers. While Rolls-Royce has re-emerged under the tutelege of BMW AG, Bentley has redefined itself under the auspices of the Volkswagen Group. And while a massive technology trickle down has benefited both brands, the ultraluxury marques have also undergone a dramatic shift in philosophical bents.?

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Prime example: the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur, which we recently sampled along bustling Beijing boulevards and desolate rural roads. Why would Bentley host the car's global press launch in China? The real questin is, "Why not?" After all, China gobbled up 55% of the Flying Spur's first generation sales, and of the 8,510 Bentleys sold worldwide in 2012, 2,253 of those were destined for China.?

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Not only do China's Bentley buyers tend to be younger than their Western counterparts, they also prefer to be driven-- which explains doodads like the Flying Spur's stronger-than-ever emphasis on rear seat amenities. Sure, the imposing sedan can be customized with old world touches like a champagne cooler and veneered picnic tables with vanity mirrors, but nothing speaks to Bentley's Asian target audience quite as clearly as available internet connectivity and this little touchscreen number:

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Using the small handheld device or a downloadable smartphone app, rear seat passengers are able to take control of HVAC settings, multimedia screens, seat heating and ventilation, and access to speedometer information. And lest you worry about that the famously racing-obsessed W.O. Bentley is turning in his grave, consider the fact that this nearly three-ton car is furnished with the same 616 hp, 590 lb-ft twin-turbocharged W12 you'll find in the Continental GT Speed, which facilitates a unnervingly swift 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds.

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The 2014 Flying Spur's Chinese post-tariff price of?$550,000 may be difficult to comprehend for most American enthusiasts, but there's little doubt that the sedan's back seat delights will succeed at luring even more Far Eastern buyers to the Bentley brand.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/auto-blog/you-can-thank-china-for-bentleys-back-seat-bonanza?src=rss

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