Road Test: Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 4dr Auto

We first drove the new Flying Spur on smooth roads in China. But the porcelain-smooth surfaces of Beijing are rather different to Her Majesty's tarmac. For a Bentley to be a Bentley, it must perform on roads with history. And although it still harpoons the horizon and infuses your nose with walnut and leather, on the rustic surfaces of its homeland, the Spur occasionally puts a foot wrong.

Let's say you're halfway through a corner when you hit a ridge or lump. It sends a little shockwave across the chassis, causing the whole body to do a sort of diagonal wobble. A wibble. Wind up the suspension, and it becomes more composed. But, to toggle between settings, you must first press a button down by the gear selector, then move a finger up to the touchscreen to select one of four modes, from Comfort to Sport. There's no Auto setting. So when the road surface is an unpredictable patchwork, you'll be doing lots of fiddling.

This particular Spur isn't helped by 21-inch alloys. They look imposing, but you want a car like this to exfoliate the road, not broadcast it. So go for the 19-inchers. They put more rubber and air between you and the ground, carrying you on the cushion of comfort your wealthy backside deserves.