But when they do appear, you can feel their opulence and commanding persona in the air.
Some liken it to a form of spritely arrogance.
Call it what you like, these rides are rightly at home with royalty and the super rich and there's no denying that their presence open doors wide. They impart your arrival anywhere - be they posh hotels or country clubs - with a sense of occasion.
But it's not just the elite who appreciate their finer virtues.
In 2007, two robbers arrived at a jeweller on London's Sloane Street chauffeured in a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Brandishing handguns, they made off in utter speed and shall we say, style - of course, accompanied by gems worth some £10mil (RM58mil).
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| Continental Flying Spur Speed. |
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| Plush rear seats. |
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| The speedometer is calibrated to 340kph. |
Recently, we got acquainted with two Bentleys — a four-door Continental Flying Spur Speed limousine and a Continental GTC Speed, the two-door convertible version - during the 2009 Continental Speed Tour Asia rounds covering Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
Being the top-of-the-line Speed variants inspired by Bentley's cars of the 1920s, the two Continentals have been tuned for a sportier drive while retaining the fine craftsmanship and attention to details.
Viewed from the front, the Flying Spur and GTC are almost identical with the huge bonnet, twin headlights and a dominating chrome "matrix" radiator grille — the classic Bentley signature from days of yore.
The Speed variants also sport a few exclusive and distinctive features such as diamond stitched seats, darker chromed radiator grille, wider exhaust tips and 20-inch wheels.
While mainstream German and Italian premium limousines have set the pace for interior luxury appointments, the Continentals go one rung up with piano black wood inserts, plush carpeting, hand-stitched leather and classic chrome ring styling for dials and air vents.
Rear legroom for the Flying Spur is generous while that in the GTC is enough.
It's extravagance and pampering at a level that borders on the sinful.
On the move, the Continental pair defy physics, with their ability to be as quick on the draw as a sports car despite each weighing close to 2.5 tonnes.
Credit that to a 6.0-litre twin turbocharged W12 engine with 600bhp and a maximum torque of 750Nm at a low 1,750rpm.
Wafting along in these land barges is simply effortless.
The 12-cyclinder engine, sourced from Bentley's German owner Volkwagen AG, has been tweaked for higher refinement and power.
A gentle step on the throttle pedal will propel the Continentals forward without any hesitation and in silky smoothness.
Gear changes through the six-speed automatic transmission are nothing short of seamless.
The addition of an air suspension system with multi-dampening settings makes for a ride that feels more like a magic carpet gliding over air.
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| Continental GTC Speed. |
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| The Continental GTC Speed retains the fine craftsmanship and attention to details. |
Taking the Flying Spur out for a quick test run from local distributors Bentley Kuala Lumpur's showroom in Jalan Bukit Bintang's Pavilion was an experience to behold.
Navigating through the busy after-lunch traffic jam is usually horrendous.
Do it in a Bentley and you see awe-struck drivers slowing down to let you cut into their lanes — road manners KLites are never known for.
On the Maju Expressway towards Putrajaya, the two Continentals easily erased doubts their bulk would hamper speed or acceleration. As long as your nerves and right foot can hold out, both cars will continue to accelerate effortlessly until the speedometer needle goes no further.
Bentley quotes a 0-100kph sprint of 4.8 seconds and a stupendous top speed of 322kph for both cars.
These Continentals are rock steady at any speed.
With a Torsen all-wheel drive system, sweeping curves at outrageous speeds can be taken with grace and confidence.
The Speed variants get a one-size up 20-inch wheels shod in bespoke Pirelli PZero Ultra High Performance tyres, specially developed to take into account of higher power output over the regular Continental versions.
Bentley says the GTC Speed currently is the world's most powerful production four-seater convertible.
Acoustic windows, featuring a special sound absorbing inner layer, and generous amount of all-round sound deadening materials including those at wheel arches work well so external noises were well shut out for a silent ride.
The GTC is a bit noisier as it uses a soft top roof.
Prices start from RM1.78mil for the Flying Spur Speed and RM1.93mil for the GTC Speed, limiting ownership to those with princely bank accounts.
Upgrade options include a premium 1,100W audio system from British home audio maker Naim Audio, an active cruise control system and carbon ceramic brakes to name a few. Just keep a few RM100K handy in case you get the urge for more bespokement.
For the rest of us who can't muster that kind of resources, resign to stay by the sidelines and dream away.
