Bentley Flying Spur vs Holden Astra
What's the difference?

Bentley Flying Spur

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2024 price

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Holden Astra

$4,500 - $20,990

2018 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

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Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

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Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2024 Bentley Flying Spur

2018 Holden Astra

By Stephen Corby

By Peter Anderson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

V12, 6.0L

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

14.7L/100km (combined)

5.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Performance
Luxury interior
Ride comfort

Good to drive
Good looking
Well-specced

Dislikes

Price
Weight
Fuel economy

Missing rear seat amenities
Smallish fuel tank
Awkward pedal position

2024 Bentley Flying Spur Summary

In any other super car, it would seem deeply strange, wrong even, to loll (and LOL) in the back seats while a colleague blasts you around a race track at insane speeds, and not just because cars with V12 engines making 575kW and 1000Nm don’t normally have more than two seats.

The Bentley Flying Spur Speed is, of course, no ordinary car, it is a super sedan, a luxe limousine crossed with a rocket ship, and if Sir wants to get to the rooftop helipad in a spectacular hurry, then these are the back seats to be sitting in.

We flew to Japan, and the spectacular setting of the Magarigawa Club, a members-only race track carved out of the rolling hills outside Tokyo at a rumoured cost of $US2 billion, to try the back seats, and the driver’s seat, of the new and very impressive Flying Spur Speed.

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2018 Holden Astra Summary

Holden's current Astra is the second go the car has had in this country, after first being badged an Opel to the sounds of crickets from the buying public. That hubristic exercise was followed by a brief withdrawal from the Australian market before returning, rather more sensibly badged (and sensibly-priced) as a Holden.

It chugged along quite nicely in 2017. It didn't break any records, no, but regularly broke the 1000 units per month mark to end up with about five percent of the small car market, which it shares with some serious competition from Europe and Japan.

The + in R+ means more safety, but also more money. Safety is good, but do you get anything else for your money?

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Bentley Flying Spur 2018 Holden Astra

Verdict

The Bentley Flying Spur Speed is a whole lot of car, for a whole lot of money. Sure, I’d rather have a Ferrari or a Porsche with similar power (and the Panamera shares the same V8 and hybrid set up), but then if you’re in the market for a Bentley like this you already have a garage full of other options. And I can see why you’d add one of these to your collection. Because you can.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Verdict

The Astra's biggest problem is probably the Holden badge. Despite the company's best efforts, some buyers are wary of the company's longevity and some of the other cars in the range do the Astra no favours - Trax, Colorado and Barina feel cheap, because they are. The Astra isn't cheaply made and holds up very well in excellent company.

Bentley Flying Spur vs Holden Astra What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Bentley Flying Spur vs Holden Astra
What's the difference?