2005 Model Year Bentley Arnage Bentley Motors today announced details of wide-ranging changes to its outstanding range of Arnage luxury saloons. The continued investment in the
Arnage range is aimed at reinforcing its credentials, both as the only true driver's car in this High Luxury Sector, and as a range that has increased comfort, deeper luxury, classic design language, and the greatest scope for
personalisation. 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 an unique appeal.
Every Arnage is built to order and over half are further modified by our
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
- 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
- New wheels available for all models
- 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
- 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
- Increased specification and customer choice through unrivalled paint options from 40 standard colours plus dual tones, and 27 interior hide options
- Revised rear suspension layout and overall settings to both enhance ride quality and provide more consistent handling response
- Price and specification has now been increased across the range: Arnage R: £160,000 (€216, 270) and Arnage T £170,000 (€229,787), providing an improved specification and range of choice
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 & 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.
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.
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.
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