Touring Superleggera Flying Star is our kind of coachbuilt wunder car

teh POD · 03-02-2010, 10:24 AM

press release: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/02/g...coa/#continued

gallery: http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/gene...a-flying-star/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autoblog

The majority of auto journalists are car freaks by nature. One of the many defining characteristics of a car freak is an undying, unadulterated love of any sort of shooting brake. If you're not a car freak, or just don't know the term, a shooting brake is a two-door station wagon. Why is this bodystyle so beloved? Many reasons, but let's just chalk it up to the impracticality of a sports car mixed well with the practicality of a station wagon. What can we say, it's a boat floater.

For Geneva, Italian car maker Touring Superleggera showed us freaks their new, stunning Flying Star. Built at the request of a customer and with the full cooperation of Bentley, the Flying Star is a shooting brake built from the Bentley Continental GTC. Honestly, there's not all that much to tell. Underneath the new skin sits... a Bentley Continental GTC, complete with its 560-horsepower, 479-pound-feet-of-torque twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12. Or, if you insist, Touring Superleggera will build you a GTC Speed-based Flying Star with 610 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Oh, and there's a support structure between the rear shocks that acts as both a hard structure for the new roofline and an integrated roll bar.

The real story, however, is being told by your eyeballs. Many of us have never been all that enthused by the shape of the Continental. But the Flying Star, well, it completes the design. How good? Four of us Autobloggers were gathered around a single laptop gasping at admiring Touring Superleggera's handicraft work. So yes, we think this is a very wonderful looking car. 100-percent picture perfect? No, as the tailgate's not quite... something. But let's not be petty, the Flying Star is fantastic looking.

Useful, too, as you can fit four golf bags in the rear. You might be wondering why a two-seat vehicle would need to carry four golf bags, but if you look closely you'll notice two additional seats in back. They of course fold down, allowing the Flying Star to swallow even more golf bags (no official word on exactly how many).

Besides the Flying Star's overall shooting brakeness, our favorite part has to be the woven leather "boot carpet," i.e. a beautiful material that covers the rear cargo area, the back of the rear seats and the rear floormats. Have we ever been excited about carpet before? No, never. And we doubt we ever will be again. That said, we doubt we'll be seeing any coachbuilt cars that get us as excited as the Flying Star. Now word on price (think: expensive!) but Touring Superleggera will be building just under 20 examples per year. Go car freaks, go. Full press release after the jump.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

teh POD · 03-02-2010, 10:25 AM

Not sure if want:

prometheusecks · 03-02-2010, 10:28 AM

that's awesome!

e11ys · 03-02-2010, 10:30 AM

I like that a lot better than the original. If you're going to pay that much for a near 6,000 lb. car, you might as well make sure you've got enough room to haul your friends and their crap around in it. Maximizing usable space ftw. I think it looks better too.

BeatLA · 03-02-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

100-percent picture perfect? No, as the tailgate's not quite... something. But let's not be petty, the Flying Star is fantastic looking.

100% agree with this. If they fix the tailgate I'd be on the phone with them the day after I won the lottery.

rallymaniac · 03-02-2010, 10:54 AM

I'd say it looks like crap. The back is absolutely hideous. Looks like a mini hearse

themarxist · 03-02-2010, 11:55 AM

I love wagons, but that's just horrid.

Trindle_HEAD · 03-02-2010, 12:04 PM

i would say that it really captures the original Bentley gtc look without bastardizing it. From the front quarter angle, I didn't initially notice the change. From a guy who loves the ferrari breadvan, this is just as good.

WhiteKnightSTi · 03-02-2010, 12:50 PM

DO WANT!

Longinus · 03-02-2010, 01:33 PM

White out · 03-02-2010, 01:57 PM

not feeling it.

Nick

BakedCookies · 03-03-2010, 08:45 AM

That's one hot shooting brake.

Calamity Jesus · 03-03-2010, 09:05 AM

Well.. it's certainly polarizing.

Count me in the

crowd.

JuggernautTCW · 03-03-2010, 09:23 AM

its a good looking hearse but a nasty hatchback/ wagon.

b4wantab · 03-03-2010, 09:37 AM

I am feeling it. A lot............

Peace,

Greg

max_stirling · 03-03-2010, 09:41 AM

I generally like the shooting break concept and I also like the Dodge Magnum, which this looks like a two door Magnum, but I don't like it at all. It looks like someone took a shooting break chasis and threw on a Bentley body kit. It no longer looks like or has the feel of a super expensive, luxury vehicle. Bentleys have no need to be practical.

Chiketkd · 03-03-2010, 10:05 AM

Add me to the crowd that thinks it looks amazing!

im2lazy789 · 03-03-2010, 12:08 PM

that.. is.. awesome..

doylfish · 03-03-2010, 11:25 PM

that's a wagon i'd buy if i could afford one

ChiWRX · 03-03-2010, 11:43 PM

I would take one if given to me.

But it looks like a hearse.

Wrx949 · 03-04-2010, 01:53 AM

^^ had the same thought (wondering if they have caskets that match the interior lol)

Siper2 · 03-04-2010, 04:41 PM

I like it... but, as ridiculous as this sounds (and is), considering the cost and spec differences, I'd sooner take an Audi RS6 Avant.

Astartes · 03-04-2010, 04:51 PM

Plus, no one is going to want to be seen climbing in and out of the back seats considering that the majority of the people able to afford this are going to be middle aged + and proud. So, they'll go unused, which renders them pointless. I agree with Siper, if you want a wagon get an Audi, Bimmer, or Merc.

4wdwrx · 03-04-2010, 09:32 PM

I like Bentleys, but what are they trying to do with this no sense.

Calamity Jesus · 03-04-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astartes

Plus, no one is going to want to be seen climbing in and out of the back seats considering that the majority of the people able to afford this are going to be middle aged + and proud. So, they'll go unused, which renders them pointless. I agree with Siper, if you want a wagon get an Audi, Bimmer, or Merc.

You seem confused. "Proud" people ride in the back of Maybachs and Rolls Royce sedans. Wealthy people drive Bentleys.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FS: all kinds of stuff (games, car parts, etc.) w/pics	jose.	RMIC Private Classifieds	7	03-17-2009 10:18 PM
is it just me, or is it kind of difficult to shift to 3rd gear?	snoop-catt	Newbies & FAQs	32	06-09-2005 01:42 AM
Different kind of enthusiast... Police Car enthusiast.	CrazyMike13	Off-Topic	12	08-12-2004 11:11 PM
There is some kind of protest right below my building	Big_Hitter	Texas Impreza Club Forum -- TXIC	11	04-16-2003 02:34 PM
What kind of Sport Compact Cars are in your hood?	WagonRX	Bay Area Impreza Club Forum -- BAIC	22	04-13-2003 06:18 PM

03-02-2010, 10:25 AM	#2
teh POD Scooby Specialist Member#: 90195 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Baltimore, MD	Not sure if want:

03-02-2010, 10:28 AM	#3
prometheusecks Scooby Newbie Member#: 152699 Join Date: Jun 2007 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: North of the Zion Curtain Vehicle: 2007 WRX Wagon UGM	that's awesome!

03-02-2010, 10:30 AM	#4
e11ys Scooby Specialist Member#: 77106 Join Date: Dec 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Lexington, SC Vehicle: '02 Brodozer '13 Golf TDI	I like that a lot better than the original. If you're going to pay that much for a near 6,000 lb. car, you might as well make sure you've got enough room to haul your friends and their crap around in it. Maximizing usable space ftw. I think it looks better too.

03-02-2010, 10:54 AM	#6
rallymaniac Scooby Specialist Member#: 52189 Join Date: Jan 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Elgin, IL Vehicle: 2006 MINIiiiiii :)	I'd say it looks like crap. The back is absolutely hideous. Looks like a mini hearse

03-02-2010, 11:55 AM	#7
themarxist Scooby Specialist Member#: 104555 Join Date: Jan 2006 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Norman, OK Vehicle: 1996 VW Passat Wagon TDi White	I love wagons, but that's just horrid.

03-02-2010, 12:04 PM	#8
Trindle_HEAD Scooby Newbie Member#: 133896 Join Date: Dec 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State	i would say that it really captures the original Bentley gtc look without bastardizing it. From the front quarter angle, I didn't initially notice the change. From a guy who loves the ferrari breadvan, this is just as good.

03-02-2010, 12:50 PM	#9
WhiteKnightSTi Scooby Specialist Member#: 169250 Join Date: Jan 2008 Chapter/Region: NESIC Vehicle: 2001 Schweizer 300CB (wirlybird)	DO WANT!

03-02-2010, 01:33 PM	#10
Longinus Scooby Specialist Member#: 187727 Join Date: Aug 2008 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Los Angeles Vehicle: 2001 GC6 Impreza BRP with a dash of mud

03-02-2010, 01:57 PM	#11
White out Scooby Guru Member#: 46277 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Michigan Vehicle: ** Ring Time of 7:43.5	not feeling it. Nick

03-03-2010, 08:45 AM	#12
BakedCookies Scooby Specialist Member#: 21543 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: VA Vehicle: 2009 Fit Sport White	That's one hot shooting brake.

03-03-2010, 09:05 AM	#13
Calamity Jesus Scooby Guru Member#: 44501 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: in a minefield of caddishness. Vehicle: 1984 "Skeletor from "He-Man"	Well.. it's certainly polarizing. Count me in the crowd.

03-03-2010, 09:23 AM	#14
JuggernautTCW Scooby Specialist Member#: 169223 Join Date: Jan 2008	its a good looking hearse but a nasty hatchback/ wagon.

03-03-2010, 09:37 AM	#15
b4wantab Scooby Specialist Member#: 21293 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Oak Park, IL Vehicle: 05 OB Black Bean 1969 W-30	I am feeling it. A lot............ Peace, Greg

03-03-2010, 09:41 AM	#16
max_stirling Scooby Newbie Member#: 44010 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Springfield, VA Vehicle: 2004 Cayenne Turbo Black	I generally like the shooting break concept and I also like the Dodge Magnum, which this looks like a two door Magnum, but I don't like it at all. It looks like someone took a shooting break chasis and threw on a Bentley body kit. It no longer looks like or has the feel of a super expensive, luxury vehicle. Bentleys have no need to be practical.

03-03-2010, 10:05 AM	#17
Chiketkd Scooby Guru Member#: 71634 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: C-Ville, VA Vehicle: In hibernation...	Add me to the crowd that thinks it looks amazing!

03-03-2010, 12:08 PM	#18
im2lazy789 Scooby Newbie Member#: 166857 Join Date: Dec 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Watkins Glen, NY Vehicle: 2009 Ford Mustang GT	that.. is.. awesome..

03-03-2010, 11:25 PM	#19
doylfish Scooby Specialist Member#: 88099 Join Date: May 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Freeport, ME/Prov, RI Vehicle: 2004 Audi S4 2003 Suzuki SV1000S	that's a wagon i'd buy if i could afford one

03-03-2010, 11:43 PM	#20
ChiWRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 140955 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: International Location: Mikado Vehicle: I come to the party, then destroy it	I would take one if given to me. But it looks like a hearse.

03-04-2010, 01:53 AM	#21
Wrx949 Scooby Newbie Member#: 210271 Join Date: May 2009	^^ had the same thought (wondering if they have caskets that match the interior lol)

03-04-2010, 04:41 PM	#22
Siper2 Scooby Guru Member#: 1134 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Dillsburg, PA Vehicle: 2007 BMW 328xi wagon Silver	I like it... but, as ridiculous as this sounds (and is), considering the cost and spec differences, I'd sooner take an Audi RS6 Avant.

03-04-2010, 04:51 PM	#23
Astartes Scooby Specialist Member#: 183813 Join Date: Jul 2008 Chapter/Region: South East Location: The REAL SC Vehicle: 2006 WRX TR OBP WRX STi SGM	Plus, no one is going to want to be seen climbing in and out of the back seats considering that the majority of the people able to afford this are going to be middle aged + and proud. So, they'll go unused, which renders them pointless. I agree with Siper, if you want a wagon get an Audi, Bimmer, or Merc.

03-04-2010, 09:32 PM	#24
4wdwrx Scooby Specialist Member#: 72042 Join Date: Oct 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Sunshine Vehicle: 2002 WRX impreza WRB "Blue Mammoth"	I like Bentleys, but what are they trying to do with this no sense.