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2006 Bentley Arnage RL

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

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 & 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.

The Arnage R continues in its 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 60 mph 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, 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 £2000worth 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 our customers to commission their Arnage to their own precise and exacting requirements through the offer of an unrivalled level of personal choice.

Finally, the Arnage R benefits from some small but significant styling changes over and above those common to all 2005 Arnages. These modifications have been designed to further augment the luxurious status of the R and to make it 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.

by Bentley

by Bentley

Bentley Motors is delighted to announce its new flagship, a sumptuously appointed sporting saloon without equal, which heads the legendary Arnage family. Designed to showcase Bentley's unrivalled handcraftsmanship talents and the skills of its Personal Commissioning department, it is the Bentley Arnage RL by Mulliner. And its specification is certain to whet the appetites of technofiles and aesthetes alike, introducing the very latest technologies into a genuinely bespoke interior.

Easily identified by its subtle Mulliner badge on the front wing, it is only when you open the doors that you see the transformation of the cabin, that brings a level of opulence and technical sophistication beyond even that of the luxurious Arnage RL.

Most notable perhaps are the two 13.1 in. screens, one in each seat back. These are both DVD and television monitors and are fed from a six seat DVD stacker in the boot. The satellite navigation screen in the front also receives the television and DVD images, but only when the car is stationary. Sound is taken care of by an Alpine combined tuner, CD and MP3 player which plays through twin amplifiers to JL speakers, incorporating twin sub-woofers in the rear parcel shelf.

When the time for recreation is over, the Arnage RL by Mulliner proves itself to be an equally capable office thanks to a computer system boasting a 1GHz Pentium processor, a 20GB hard drive, USB ports, an infra-red keyboard and both Internet and e-mail facilities. Dual-band installations for Nokia mobile telephones are included front and rear. In addition there is document storage available in each seat back, and walnut-veneer writing tables.

Having proved itself equally adept as a cinema and as an office, the Arnage RL by Mulliner spends the rest of its time as a mobile drawing room. Features particular to this car include a veneered cocktail cabinet to the rear centre cushion, a wine cooler, a solid wood gear lever in burr walnut and Bentley marque emblems to the seat facings.

The Bentley Arnage RL by Mulliner is more than just the head of the Arnage range of sporting, luxurious saloons. It also reinforces Bentley's position as the only manufacturer of truly bespoke cars. While others may offer extensive option lists or a limited level of customer choice, for Bentley the only limit is defined by the imagination and resources of the customer. He or she can come to Bentley Mulliner at Crewe, see the vast scope for creating a unique car and discuss their exact requirements with our engineers, designers and craftsmen and women. Bentley Mulliner's sphere of operation extends from one tiny modification to an otherwise standard car, such as the embroidery of the owner's initials in the upholstery, to the design, commission and execution of a new State limousine for Her Majesty, The Queen. In between lies an effectively infinite number of arrangements and permutations - actually there are more than a trillion ways to build a Bentley!

Once, all luxury cars were coachbuilt, but today it is an almost lost art. But at Bentley all the old skills remain in practice everyday, creating cars of a quality and with a character found nowhere else in the automotive industry. The Arnage range in general and the Arnage RL by Mulliner in particular are the ultimate expressions of this art.

The Arnage was first announced in 1998 and will be remembered as the car that led to the regeneration of the company, and the one whose success paved the way for this year's introduction of the 198mph Continental GT coupe. Without its instant credibility in the market place and appeal to Bentley's heartland customer base, all the things that have since been achieved, from the Continental GT to winning Le Mans, would not have been possible.

Two years ago the range was subject to a range of revisions so extensive that the resulting Series Two Arnage could legitimately be thought of as an entirely new car. Since then, the range has become synonymous with speed, luxury and refinement.

These are precisely the qualities that Bentley's engineers have designed into the three mainstays of the Arnage family, each one performing well in all three disciplines, but honed to excel at one in particular.

The first is the Arnage R, a car whose role in life is to offer the discerning customer a conspicuously refined ride in a beautiful, sporting saloon. With a 400bhp engine its effortless pace is more than adequate for most tastes yet it is at its absolute best when wafting at sustained high speed over long distances in virtual silence.

The Arnage T is for those who want a supercar, but need to have the flexibility of four doors and a capacious boot. And in all these regards, the extraordinary, 170mph Arnage T is a masterpiece. Quick enough to dispatch most cars to a tiny dot in the mirror in just a few seconds, rewarding enough to offer real thrills to the discerning driver, yet still possessing a full complement of Grand Touring credentials, the Arnage T is the extrovert of the range.

At the opposite end of this spectrum is the Arnage RL. Still dynamic and fun to drive, its true calling is that of the limousine. But this is no normal luxury saloon. All Bentleys benefit from the craft skills handed down through generations at Crewe, but the RL takes the next step where the wood and leather, instead of merely contributing to the atmosphere within the car, become its focal point and defining feature.

WO Bentley saw no conflict between crafting overtly sporting cars and luxury limousines from the same raw materials. He knew that so long as the essential design was right, excellence could be achieved in both fields. It is a philosophy that remains relevant and in practice at Crewe today, never better expressed than in the Arnage range from the exhilaration in the T, through to the pure refinement and ambience of the RL.

by Bentley

by Bentley

The luxurious Bentley Arnage was debuted at the Sarthe Circuit in France on the 26th of April of 1998. This was considered fitting because this was the racecourse where Bentley's had finished first place in the legendary '24 Hours of Le Mans' at least five times during their history. The name Arnage was taken from the challenging bend at the famous track. The Arnage measuring 197 inches long, 75 inches wide, and featured a curb weight of more than 2.5 metric tons. At one point, it was the fastest and most powerful four-door saloon on the market.

The first of a new generation of sporting Bentleys, the Arnage featured great mid-range pulling power alongside superb levels of refinement. A large luxury vehicle produced by Bentley Motors in Crewe England, the Arnage was introduced in 98 and ran until 2009. Introduced in the spring of 1998 alongside it's Rolls-Royce branded sibling; the Silver Seraph, both were the first brand new designs for the two marques since 1980. Completely breaking from tradition, these new vehicles had bodies constructed at the Crewe factory, with its internal combustion engines built elsewhere.

Some Bentley enthusiasts were unhappy that the vehicle lost the traditional 6750cc V8; a powerplant that could trace its history back to the 1950's, it instead featured a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine from BMW. The BMW engine, with Cosworth-engineered twin-turbo installation, was an excellent unit that delivered tons of power and torque. Diehard Bentley devotees weren't pacified through until September of 1999 when the Volkswagen Group, Bentley's parent company, offered the huge Rolls-Royce 6.8-liter V8 in a new version of the Arnage.

In 1998 during the takeover battle between BMW and Volkswagen Group for possession of Rolls Royce and Bentley Motors, BMW threatened to halt the supply of their engines if Volkswagen Group won. This threat was later withdrawn when BMW acquired the right to manufacture the Rolls Royce marque at a new location and it was obvious that Volkswagen couldn't accept the risks associated with having their long-term business partner as a rival. In response, Volkswagen got ready their old 6.75 liter 16-valve engine from the Turbo R, which they mated to an outdated 4-speed automatic. Unfortunately, this combination made for a thirsty engine that wouldn't meet Government-imposed emission standards without quick modifications.

The BMW-powered version was called the Green Label, while the Rolls-Royce engine model was dubbed the Red Label. Both Red and Green Label vehicles received stiffer body shells along with larger wheels and brakes. 2000 model year vehicles were fitted with more powerful brakes while the Green Label model received the 18-inch wheels that were displayed by the more powerful Red Label variant. Because of the extra weight of the British engine, the stiffer body shell was a priority, the same with the larger brakes. Unfortunately though despite the larger brakes, the performance only worsened with the additional weight of 6.75 engine. The 1999 Green Label had a braking performance from 70-0 at 172 feet while the Arnage T's performance was 182 feet from 70-0.

Other revisions included adding park distance control to the front and rear, making a pop up Alpine navigation system standard, and increasing the rear-seat legroom. The steering rack was also modified to reduce steering effort at low speed and adding power-folding exterior mirrors. The headlight lens covers transitioned from glass to plastic.

Bentley's public relations department hinted at customer demand for the reason behind the reversal of the previous two-valve per cylinder 6.75-liter unit for the Red Label. Most consumers accepted this, but few criticized the BMW motor as lacking in power and dull. The BMW-powered Arnage was more up-to-date, more fuel-efficient and featured 32 valves with double overhead camshafts, twin-turbo and Bosch engine management technology, rather than 16 valves, single turbo, and a pushrod motor with considerably less advanced engine management.

Less than a second of the 0-60 mph time was shaved from the Red Label's growth in motive power. The BMW's twin-turbo unit did continue to remain more responsive and nimble from the driver's perspective due to its DOHC engine being more responsive along with better weight balance and nearly 600lb lower curb weight.

The Green Label was sturdier and more reliable as well as being cheaper to service in the long run. The BMW engine's output drawback was the ZF 5HP30 transmission; which wasn't rated to handle more than 413 lb/ft of torque that the twin-turbo engine was tuned to produce.

The production of the aged 6.75 liter Roll's Royce engine was outsourced for use in the continued Azure and Continental models to Cosworth, so going back to the old standby engine was an easy choice for the company. The Red Label model went back to the old V8 engine that featured torque of 835-newton meters with a single Garrett T4 turbocharger. At this time, it was the highest amount of torque for a four-door vehicle. The GM-sourced four-speed 4L80-E automatic transmission also made a reappearance.

The Green Label was very quietly dropped shortly afterward in 2000.

The Arnage RL was a long-wheelbase model introduced in 2001. It was 9.8 inches longer than the original Arnage with the extra length at the rear doors and its C-pillar. The RL model had rear-wheel butts a few inches further back than the standard Arnage model whose wells butt up against the rear door-frames. The effect was a larger rear area on the interior of the vehicle. Sometimes dubbed 'double-cut' in the U.S., the type of saloon stretch was named this was because of the two main points where the car is extended. Each Arnage RL was individually customized for the buyer.

Arnage RL wheelbases ranged from 131.3 inches to 140.4 inches, and even sometimes 151.3 inches. The longest wheelbase version, the 151-inch version had its length stretched between the front and rear doors instead of at the C-pillar at the rear doors, American limousine-style. The large car handled well due to the suspension being returned for the added weight. Many Arnage RL limousines were ordered with bulletproof elements, reflecting the clientele of the vehicle. For a hefty price tag starting at $243,000, a full B6 package was available which offers protection from grenades and assault weapons. As of 2006, the Arnage RL continues to remain in production.

The RL featured a completely reworked version of the old 6.75-liter V8 engine. Over half of the engine's parts were brand new, with the old Zytech system being replaced with Bosch Motronic ME7.1.1 engine management and two small Garrett T3 turbochargers replacing the single large T4. This new engine was said to be capable of meeting all future emissions requirements and developed 405 metric horsepower and 835-newton meters. Similar to the originally Cosworth-BMW unit developed for the 98 Arnage, the RL was powered by a modern twin-turbo unit with a state-of-the-art electronic management system.

In 2002 Bentley updated the Red Label as the series two Arnage R. The Arnage T was the more sporting model and was introduced in contrast to the Arnage R. Same with the RL the Arnage R features two Garrett T3 turbochargers. It also claimed to be the most powerful road warrior at its debut at the Detroit Motor Show in 2002. There were twin-turbochargers, like with the Arnage R, but they were tuned to develop 465 metric horsepower and 875-newton meters. The T's top speed was 170 mpg and could achieve 0-60mph in just 5.5 seconds. All R & T models share the same 122.7 in wheelbase. In 2005 the Arnage range was updated and the front end now resembled the new Continental GT.

In honor of the Queens Golden Jubilee in 2002, the Bentley State Limousine was an official vehicle created by Bentley Motors Limited. Only two were built. The car's twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V8 engine was converted from Bentley's Arnage R version to produce 296 kW; 397 bhp and 616 lb/ft or torque.

For 2007 the Arnage R received low-inertia Mitsubishi units designed to enhance engine response that replaced the Garrett turbochargers. This model year's engine was joined to a variant of the six-speed ZF automatic transmission found in the Continental range. The engine capacity was increased from 411.8 cu in to 412.6 cu in. Due to the new tuning, the horsepower was bumped up to 500 (368 kW; 493 bhp) and 1,000-newton meters in the Arnage T, while the Arnage R featured 460 metric horsepower and 875-newton meters. The Arnage T was performance-oriented and could reach 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 179 mph.

For 2006 Bentley commemorated their 60 years of production at the Crewe factory with a unique Diamond Series Arnage. A total of 60 vehicles were planned, mostly for the United States. The vehicles featured diamond-quilted leather seats, diamond wood inlays, special 19-inch alloy wheels, a stainless steel front bumper, and Union Jack badges on the front wings.

Two years later in September of 2008, it was announced that Arnage production would cease the following year, once a final run of 150 'Final Series' models had been completed. The Final Series included the Arnage T powertrain and the twin-turbo 6.75 V8 engine that produced 500 metric horsepower and approximately 1,000-newton meters of torque. Through a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, the powertrain delivers torque to the rear wheels.

On the exterior, the Final Series featured special 20-inch alloy wheels, body-colored headlamp bezels, a retractable 'Flying B' mascot, dark tint matrix upper and lower grilles, lower front wing vents, special badging, and a 'Jewel-style' fuel filler cap. Mulliner designed the interior of the car and featured Final Series kick plates, special chrome trim, drilled alloy pedals, two picnic tables and a rear cocktail cabinet. This model also came with a premium 1,000-watt audio system by Naim Audio and came with four distinct umbrellas.

Forty-Two exterior color schemes were offered with this model, twenty-five interior hides, and three wood veneers. Customers could also specify bespoke color- matching offered by Bentley. The Arnage Final Series marks the 50th Anniversary of Bentley's V8 engine. The 2009 version of the engine continues to be loosely based on the same design that was introduced way back in the 1959 Bentley S2. Though the 2008 engine shares no identical parts with the 1950 model, the final common item having been replaced in 2005. Advertising of the engine when first introduced described the power and torque as 'adequate'. Twin-turbocharged, the all-aluminum alloy engine delivers 0-60mph in just 5.3 seconds. The car weighs 2.5 tons.

In 2009 a replacement model called the Bentley Mulsanne was debuted in August at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California. Because of separate parent companies, the design of the Mulsanne will now be completely separate and independent from Rolls-Royce cars. Rolls-Royce is held by BMW and Bentley is held by the Volkswagen Group.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley_Arnage

http://www.compucars.co.uk/car-reviews/bentley/review/?arnage

by Jessican Donaldson