Arnage Motor Trend - 2009 Bentley Arnage Final Series: A Mighty Heart

[Merc1]

Rain spatters the windshield as the clouds hang low, kissing russet-colored heather and glistening grey slate. I'm high in the hills of north Wales, a rolling open landscape dotted with sheep, snug stone farmhouses, and tiny villages suffering severe vowel shortages -- Cyffylliog; Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr; Bettws Gerfil Goch. I'm here to say goodbye to an old friend.

The streaming wet road swoops down from the crest of the hill, sweeping gently to the right before arcing back to the left and over a bridge. There's a right hander just over the bridge that I now realize is sharper than it looked. I squeeze the brakes hard, flick the shifter back -- fourth, third -- and wait until the last second before coming off the stoppers and turning the steering wheel. The big Bentley turns in obediently, and with little body roll. Just as we sweep past the apex of the turn, I squeeze the gas pedal. It's like opening the floodgates of the Hoover Dam: 738 lb-ft of torque momentarily overwhelms the traction control, and 5699 lb of hand-built British luxury sedan starts drifting elegantly through the turn.


Full Story: Motor Trend - 2009 Bentley Arnage Final Series: A Mighty Heart


M

 

[modena_360stradale]

Still the most beautiful (modern) car money can buy.

 

[ree]

Thanks so much for this review!!! It's my favourite car of all time with unbeatable design!!!

Love the photos in the countryside!! Sth. new for "my" Arnage Picture thread

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Such an amazing work of art...it will be missed.

 

[Merc1]

I cringe when I think about a VW/Audi based replacement.

M

 

[Centurion]

I cringe when I think about a VW/Audi based replacement.

M

I'm actually not that worried. VAG has a solid line of top end cars. The R8, Panamera, Veyron and LP560 are divine. They've got than enough creative and talented engineers to pull off a master piece. Plus Bentley profits have been in the green for the last 3-4 years, so they have no excuse for screwing up the replacement.

With the economy predicted to turn around next year, I hope that Bentley will bring forward the launch to late 2009. I'm sure they don't want the RR Ghost to have a ball on its own.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I'm actually not that worried. VAG has a solid line of top end cars. The R8, Panamera, Veyron and LP560 are divine. They've got than enough creative and talented engineers to pull off a master piece. Plus Bentley profits have been in the green for the last 3-4 years, so they have no excuse for screwing up the replacement.

With the economy predicted to turn around next year, I hope that Bentley will bring forward the launch to late 2009. I'm sure they don't want the RR Ghost to have a ball on its own.

I cringe when I think about a VW/Audi based replacement.

M

What Bentley needs to do it keep the overall "Identity of the Arnage", but make it more modern. What they do not need to do is build a glorified Bentley Flying Spur. Another words this doesn't need to come out looking like a bubble. It should be distinctive, exclusive and sophisticated.

 

[Centurion]

Yes, angular shapes with soft contours will be highly appreciated. But I don't think that Bentley will turn the car into a monument a'la Phantom. The Arnage customers are of a discrete nature. They can afford the Phantom but they don't want to flaunt their wealth that loud. Still today the Arnage is a spectacle and all that's needed is an evolutionary exterior design and a major overhaul of the interior. It really doesn't need to be reinvented or carry a bulbous shape.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Even now, it's still a handsome car. I actually want to see how VW is going to f__k this up.

 

[modena_360stradale]

Even now, it's still a handsome car. I actually want to see how VW is going to f__k this up.

LOL

It's funny because we all know it's true..

 

[NarutoRamen]

LOL

It's funny because we all know it's true..

It's funny and quite sad at the same time.

 

[modena_360stradale]

It's funny and quite sad at the same time.

Yeah it is. I've resigned myself to Bentley's fate, though. I doubt there's any way they can improve on the Arnage. Evolving the design would be a mistake, replacing it might be worse.

But then again, look what Rolls-Royce did with the Phantom.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Yeah it is. I've resigned myself to Bentley's fate, though. I doubt there's anyway they can improve on the Arnage. Evolving the design would be a mistake, replacing it might be worse.

But then again, look what Rolls-Royce did with the Phantom.

True...as long as they keep the bubble look out (flying spur / gt) then it should be an award winner.

Then again bubbles haven't always looked bad on Bentley....

 

[HighestOfHigh]

With the arnage gone...are they going to keep the other Bentley's (the expensive ones)

Love the blue one....

 

[LaArtist]

Does anyone besides me think that we WONT see the new arnage in 09..
cause i havent seen any mules or anything..

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Does anyone besides me think that we WONT see the new arnage in 09..
cause i havent seen any mules or anything..

Your probably won't see that until 2011 or 2012.

 

[Centurion]

Does anyone besides me think that we WONT see the new arnage in 09..
cause i havent seen any mules or anything..

Test mules have been roaming in closed testing grounds for quite sometime now. I read somewhere that Bentley will allow for a 12 months break between the final series and the new car. We'll see the car next year unless VAG bring the launch forward 12 months to sync with the anticipated recovery of the economy. Plus RR are on the move with the Ghost, so Bentley cannot allow RR to be on the playground all alone, especially when the Bentley CGT is old with its 6 years on the market.

VAG are just a bit slow when it comes to development. The R8 spider and new A8 are way over due.

 

[Tarek]

This car over the Phantom anyday,damn i just blindly love that car

 

[Merc1]

With the arnage gone...are they going to keep the other Bentley's (the expensive ones)

Love the blue one....

Nope when the Arnage goes all of these Arnage-based variants go too.


M

 

[Giannis]

Yes but the Brooklands coupe is very new compared to the Arnage! It can't go after 1-2 years on the market...