Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Bentley Flying Spur VS 2016 Porsche Panamera Near Phoenix, AZ

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Flying Spur. But it costs extra on the Panamera.

Both the Flying Spur and the Panamera have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors and available rearview cameras.

The Bentley Flying Spur weighs 710 to 1554 pounds more than the Porsche Panamera. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Flying Spur comes with a full 3 year/unlimited mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24 hour roadside assistance. The Panamera’s 50,000 mile basic warranty expires sooner.

The Flying Spur has more powerful engines than the Panamera:

As tested in Motor Trend the Bentley Flying Spur W12 is faster than the Porsche Panamera V6:

An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Flying Spur’s fuel efficiency. The Panamera doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Flying Spur has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Panamera Hybrid/V6/S RWD’s standard fuel tank (24 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Flying Spur’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Panamera:

The Flying Spur stops shorter than the Panamera:

For better traction, the Flying Spur has larger tires than the Panamera (275/45R19 vs. 245/50R18). The Flying Spur’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Panamera (275/45R19 vs. 255/40R20).

The Flying Spur’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Panamera’s standard 50 series front tires. The Flying Spur’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Panamera’s optional 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Flying Spur has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Panamera. The Flying Spur’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Panamera.

The Flying Spur offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Panamera, it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the Flying Spur uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Panamera, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Flying Spur’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Panamera (120.7 inches vs. 115 inches).

The design of the Bentley Flying Spur amounts to more than styling. The Flying Spur has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the Panamera (.29 to .32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Flying Spur get better fuel mileage.

The Flying Spur offers optional seating for 5 passengers; the Panamera can only carry 4.

The Flying Spur has .1 inches more front headroom, 9.7 inches more front shoulder room, 9 inches more rear legroom and 8.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Flying Spur easier. The Flying Spur’s trunk lift-over height is 28 inches, while the Panamera’s liftover is 30.6 inches.

When the Flying Spur is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Panamera’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.