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More than ever, the Bentley Arnage now stands as the symbol of
British coachbuilding and handcraftsmanship. With an unrivalled
heritage, a skill-set handed down through three generations working
on the same site, and an ability to tailor cars to precise customer
wishes unapproached by any other marque, the Arnage retains a unique
appeal.
Every Arnage is built to order and over half are further modified by
Bentley’s coachbuilding arm, Bentley Mulliner. The Arnage is the
culmination of over 80 years continual experience of building Grand
Touring Limousines: no other production car in the world can be
built more closely to the customer’s precise specification. It is
perhaps no surprise then to hear the comment of one regular customer
that determining the specification of an Arnage is like having your
own, private car company. Another told us he considered his Arnages
to have been born, not made. Considering the care that goes into
each one, it’s an understandable point of view.
Highlights
n New exterior design, featuring round headlamps with Xenon dip and
Halogen full beam, a revised bonnet line and the choice of either a
matrix or vaned radiator grille.
n New wheels available for all models.
n 2005 model year Arnage complies with the most stringent emission
regulations enforced in Europe (EU4) and even achieves Low Emmission
Vehicle (LEV) rating in the USA.
n Interior design dramatically updated with new dashboard top,
switchgear, better ergonomics with secondary controls hidden behind
panels, fresh instruments and new DVD satellite navigation unit, and
with non-critical controls hidden behind veneered panels.
n Increased specification and customer choice through unrivalled
paint options from 40 standard colours plus dual tones, and 27
interior hide options
n Revised rear suspension layout and overall settings to both
enhance ride quality and provide more consistent handling response.
Chassis Revisions
After the end-to-end re-engineering of the Arnage chassis introduced
in 2002, further changes have been made to the 2005 model year
Arnage to extend its already formidable chassis capabilities. By
repositioning the lower mounting point of the rear damper from the
upright to the lower wishbone, a marked improvement in suspension
control has been achieved. This, in conjunction with other detailed
changes to spring, damper and bush rates (as well as a newly
developed Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tyre for the Arnage R and RL) has
resulted in much improved ride quality, particularly for those
travelling in the back.
Engine
The 6.75-litre V8 engine that powers all Arnages was effectively
redesigned from the ground up for 2002, featuring twin-turbocharging
and record-breaking torque figures. As such, little change was
needed for the 2005 model year. Nevertheless, the engine has now
been made fully compliant with the new Euro IV emissions
regulations, due in 2005. This ensures the viability of this much
loved powerplant, that can trace its origins (if not its componentry)
back to the 1950s, for many years to come.
Exterior Styling
The 2005 model year Arnage is instantly recognisable thanks to new
front end styling designed not only to tidy and freshen the Arnage’s
appearance, but also to bring the range in line with Bentley’s
iconic design language, as evident on the Continental R and Azure
and latterly on the Continental GT.
Most notable are the headlamps that comprise twin individual lights
with chrome bezels, clear lenses and integrated indicators. These
lights now comprise xenon bulbs for dip beam and halogen bulbs for
full beam.
The Arnage also has a new bonnet, radiator shell and grille, all
designed to give a greater sense of occasion and an even more
powerful look. The central vee of the bonnet has been raised
relative to its lower surfaces and merges seamlessly with the
revised radiator shell to give a new and integrated look. The new
bonnet line also works particularly well in markets where duo-tone
paintwork is popular.
As well as the radiator shell being restyled, the radiator grille of
the Arnage R and RL can now also be specified with longitudinal,
parallel vanes for those wanting their car to exude the timeless
elegance of Bentleys from the past. The matrix grille introduced
with the Series Two Arnage in 2002, is still available at no extra
cost. A traditional chrome-plated radiator shell can also be
specified, again at no extra charge. A new suite of wheels has also
been commissioned; each designed to complement the differing
characters of the models within the Arnage range.
Interior Styling
A cabin as legendarily cossetting, attractive and elegant as that of
the Arnage should not be altered without great thought, and the same
principal internal architecture has been retained. Even so,
Bentley’s designers felt that both the appearance and efficiency of
the fascia could be improved further with no loss of the cabin’s
essential charm.
Attention was focussed in particular on the centre console, where a
new range of unique switches has been designed for the many
functions located there, including the climate control and
ventilation systems. These new switches are thoughtfully arranged in
an ergonomically efficient and attractive manner that is entirely in
keeping with the outstanding ambience of the rest of the cabin.
Switches for the electric windows are now more intuitively arranged,
while controls for the electric seats, their memories and heater are
now located under a sliding panel behind the gear-lever.
The ability to conceal these functions as well as the stereo,
ash-tray and more minor ventilation controls behind wood panels has
allowed the Arnage’s interior designers to create a wonderfully
‘clean’ look to the cabin. Uncluttered by the legion of switches and
buttons that are so often a feature of luxury car interiors, the
Arnage is able to present its driver just with those controls likely
to be in frequent use, while the others are hidden from view unless
required.
Other new interior features include a new top to the dashboard,
allowing the DVD-based satellite navigation system to be flush
fitted, creating a cleaner look to the top of the dash. Because it
is DVD rather than CD-ROM based, the satellite navigation covers
entire continents down to the smallest detail on a single disc
(Europe and US). This means the owner is spared the time and expense
of selecting a new disc and re-programming the navigation every time
a border is crossed.
New Paintwork
In accordance with Bentley’s desire to provide Arnage customers with
an unrivalled specification choice, even before they consider the
services of Bentley Mulliner, the range of standard interior and
exterior colours has now been greatly expanded.
In stark contrast to other limousine manufacturers, paintwork for
the Arnage can now be selected from a choice of 40 exterior colours,
compared with 22 for the previous model. These include nine blues,
eight greens, six reds, silvers and blacks and four browns. In
addition to this there are seven recommended duo-tone packages.
The number of hide options for the interior has almost doubled from
15 to 27, 10 of which are shades of cream or brown, the most popular
choice for Bentley interiors. There are five greys, four blues and
greens, three reds and a single black colour.
Though these colours are Bentley’s standard offerings, it is of
course possible to have an Arnage painted any colour from the
spectrum, and to have hides matched to bespoke requirements. The
only constraints are of imagination, and perhaps the broad bands of
good taste.
Arnage R and RL
The Arnage R and RL continue in their roles as the personification
of refined, four door luxury. Powered by a 400bhp (298kW) version of
the twin turbo V8 boasting 616lb ft (835Nm) of torque, they
represent the ultimate expression of the iron fist in the velvet
glove. Effortlessly, they will pass 60mph in 6 seconds flat and
continue to accelerate until the engine management gently reins them
back at 155mph.
But while all Bentleys are true drivers’ cars, the Arnage R and RL
are intended for those who for whom sublime ride comfort and subdued
noise levels mean even more than outright performance and handling
response. It is these characteristics that the changes in chassis
specification for the 2005 model year Arnage have been designed to
enhance.
Specifically, in the Arnage R and RL, rolling comfort is
considerably improved, bringing extra comfort on motorway and
A-roads through a reduction in interference from small surface
imperfections. In addition, because the rear axle is now allowed to
move rearward in a controlled fashion when it hits a ridge in the
road, its energy is much better absorbed with a consequent decrease
in cabin disturbance. Overall the car feels more compliant yet also
more controlled, offering a significant improvement in ride quality
with no detriment to handling ability.
Taking the Arnage R first, the policy has been to simplify the
options packages, with many previously optional items becoming
either standard or, available at no cost. So while the list price of
the Arnage R has risen, over £2000-worth of previously cost options
are now included as standard. To this can be added a long list of
additional features for no further charge, encouraging customers to
commission their Arnage to their own precise and exacting
requirements through the offer of an unrivalled level of personal
choice.
The sumptuous Arnage RL, with its 250mm wheelbase extension, was
already fitted with a number of featuresnow offered as standard or
no-cost options on the Arnage R, but the approach remains the same.
That spacious rear cabin allows the customer, with the help of
Bentley Mulliner’s commissioning experts, to tailor the car to suit
their lifestyle, whether the requirement is for a mobile office or
for games consoles to entertain the children.
Finally, the Arnage R and RL benefit from some small but significant
styling changes over and above those common to all 2005MY Arnages.
These modifications have been designed to further augment the
luxurious status of the R and RL and to make them stand apart from
the considerably more sporting outlook of the Arnage T.
Most obvious is the new suite of wheels that has been commissioned
for the cars. The Arnage R and RL both now have an elegant six
spoke, 18in alloy wheel as standard and a striking 12 spoke, 19in
wheel as an option. These wheels replace those that have served the
Arnage since its original launch and breathe fresh life into the
exterior appearance of both cars.
On the inside, the seats can now be trimmed with contrast piping
around their edges and also around the headrest, a small touch for
sure, but one that adds an extra dash of class, distinction and
atmosphere to a cabin that already boasted perhaps the most envied
ambience of any luxury car interior in the world.
Arnage T
The 2005 model year confirms the Arnage T in its role as the
powerhouse of the range, an unforgettable driving experience and the
21st century personification of the tidal wave on wheels, a phrase
first coined to describe a Bentley Turbo over 20 years ago.
At its disposal is the ultimate development of the twin-turbo V8, an
engine noted for its 450bhp (336kW) output but distinguished by its
astonishing 645lb ft (875Nm) of torque. It endows the Arnage T with
the ability to reach 60mph from rest in 5.5 seconds and a top speed
of 168mph (270km/h) – this from a car capable of carrying four
adults and their luggage in traditional Grand Touring style.
Given this overtly sporting brief, it’s not surprising that the
suspension improvements brought by the 2005 model year modifications
are more handling-oriented than in its stablemates. So while the
Arnage T also benefits from a significant improvement in ride
quality, it is its still sharper handling that drivers will notice
most. Body movements are better controlled as the car turns into a
corner, giving a more settled feel. This improvement is compounded
in a series of corners where the control of weight transference
becomes of critical importance.
In extreme conditions and with the Arnage’s stability control turned
off, the revised suspension settings also provide yet more
predictable breakaway characteristics, allowing the car to be driven
on the throttle even more safely and rewardingly.
The Arnage T now has a 19in. wheel rim as standard with a new, seven
spoke design. The five spoke 19in. rim that has until now been
available as an option on the Arnage T continues in that role. All
wheels for the Arnage can be specified with a chrome finish.
Conclusion
The Bentley Arnage represents the pinnacle of Bentley engineering
and the embodiment of personal choice for the customer. Whether the
owner chooses the classic refinement of the Arnage R, the ultimate
performance of the Arnage T or the individually commissioned RL
limousine, he or she can be sure they are buying more than just a
high quality car. Arnage is a car of real character, whose
thoroughbred is derived from the unique combination of engineering
integrity, and 58 years of Crewe skills.
Moreover every Arnage is a driver’s car. There are times when even
an Arnage RL owner is going to slip behind the wheel, and it is
critical that the front seat experience is as involving and
rewarding as that on the rear seat is luxurious and cossetting. And
with the 6.75-litre, twin-turbo all aluminium V8 under the bonnet,
combined with superlative handling from the improved double wishbone
suspension all round, it is an experience that more than lives up to
expectations.
The modifications introduced on the 2005 model year Arnage reinforce
these Bentley values. The new car offers more choice and still
greater opportunity for personalisation within a car that is more
distinctive inside and out, more comfortable, better to drive and
yet more luxurious. It is the most exclusive car from one of the
most revered and exclusive marques
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