Bentley Arnage

2007-07-02T06:53:42Z

MihaiJoy: /* External links */

[[Image:Arnagediamond.jpg|thumb|right|400px|2006 Bentley Arnage Diamond Series]]
The '''Bentley Arnage''' is a luxury car produced by [[Bentley|Bentley Motors]] in Crewe, England. The Arnage and its [[Rolls-Royce]]-branded sibling, the [[Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph|Silver Seraph]], were introduced in the Spring of 1998 and were the first entirely new designs for the two marques since 1980.

Another break from the past was to be found under the bonnet, for decades home to the same 6.75 L [[V8]], a powerplant which could trace its roots back to the 1950s. The new Arnage was to be powered by a [[BMW]] V8, with Cosworth-engineered twin [[Turbo Engine|turbo]] installation, and the Seraph was to employ a BMW [[V12]].

The Arnage is over 5m long, almost 2m wide, and has a kerb weight of more than 2.5 metric tons. For a brief period it was the most powerful and fastest four-door [[sedan]] on the market.

==Development==
Following the uptick in sales for all of Rolls-Royce and resurgence of the Bentley marque, then-owner, Vickers, set about preparing a new model to replace the derivatives of the [[Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit]]/[[Bentley Mulsanne]] which it had been selling since 1980. In a complete switch from tradition, these new cars would have bodies built at the Crewe factory with engines built elsewhere.

A number of potential engines were examined, including the [[GM Premium V engine]] and a [[Mercedes-Benz]] [[V8]], before Vickers selected a pair of [[BMW]] powerplants. It was decided that the Rolls-Royce model, to be called the [[Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph|Silver Seraph]], would use BMW's [[naturally-aspirated]] [[V12]] while the more-sporting Bentley model would use a special twin-[[Turbo Engine|turbo]] version of the 4.4 L BMW [[V8]], which was developed by Vickers subsidiary, Cosworth Engineering.

On its introduction in the spring of 1998 as a 1999 model, the Arnage was available as a single model with this 4398 cc BMW V8 engine, with twin [[Turbo Engine|turbocharger]]s, developing some 350 [[HP|hp]] (260 kW).

The basic BMW V8 Arnage was renamed the '''Arnage Green Label''' in 2000, its last model year.

===Red Label===
Launched in late 1999 was the '''Arnage Red Label'''. [[Volkswagen]], who had purchased the Bentley name and Crewe factory was loathe to continue purchasing BMW's engines, and it turned out that Bentley engineers and customers felt the same way. The BMW-powered Arnage, while objectively more modern than the [[Bentley Turbo RT|Turbo RT]] it replaced, was more than a second slower to 60 mph than that car, and lacked the massive torque that Bentley customers had grown accustomed to.

Vickers had outsourced to Cosworth the production of the old 6.75 L Rolls-Royce engine for use in the continued [[Bentley Continental R|Continental]] and [[Bentley Azure|Azure]] models, so reverting to the old standby engine was a natural choice for the company. In fact, Volkswagen purchased Cosworth as well, so all the pieces fell into place to eliminate the BMW engine.

The Red Label model reverted to the old V8, which boasted torque of 835 N·m with a single Garret T4 [[Turbo Engine|turbocharger]]. This was the greatest amount of torque for a four-door car at the time. Also returning was the [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]]-sourced 4-speed ''[[GM 4L80-E transmission|4L80-E]]'' [[automatic transmission|automatic]].

A long-wheelbase version of the Red Label was launched at the Detroit Auto Show in 2001, and the Green Label ended production. The Red Label models were replaced in 2002.

==Series Two==
[[Image:800px-SC06_2006_Bentley_Arnage_RL.jpg|right|thumb|250px|2006 Arnage T]]
In 2001, the '''Arnage RL''', a long-wheelbase limousine model, was launched. Available only as a bespoke ("Mulliner") model, each RL was customised to the desires of the buyer. The RL, however, was also the first of a new series of Arnaged which would break Bentley from its BMW-rooted past permanently, as well as presenting a challenge to that company's attempt to revive Rolls-Royce sales.

The RL was larger than any contemporary limousine, notably including those from its former sister company. Wheelbases ranged from 3336 mm (131 in) to 3566 mm (140 in) and even 3844 mm (151 in), the latter two including a 100 mm (3.9 in) increase in the height of the roof. The suspension was retuned for the added weight, allowing the larger car to still handle well.

Many RL models are ordered with armoured elements, reflecting the car's clientelle. In fact, some of the "basic" car's components were armoured from the start. But a full [[B6]] package was also available for £250,000 to £300,000, offering protection from assault weapons and grenades. The RL remains in production as of 2006.

Notable, though overlooked on the RL's introduction, was an entirely reworked engine. Where the Red Label had merely freshened the [[Turbo Engine|Turbo]] RT's engine, the RL featured an entirely reworked version of the old 6.75 L V8. More than half of the engine's parts were completely new, with Bosch Motronic ME7.1.1 engine management replacing the old Zytec system and two small Garrett T3 turbochargers replacing the single large T4. This new engine developed 400 [[HP|hp]] (298 kW) and 616 ft·lbf (835 N·m), and was said to be capable of meeting all future emissions requirements.

In 2002, Bentley updated the Red Label as the series two '''Arnage R'''. This model was launched to contrast the Arnage T, which was developed to be more sporting. The Arnage R features two Garrett T3 turbochargers, as with the RL.

The '''Arnage T''', also from 2002, was claimed to be the most powerful roadgoing Bentley at its launch at the Detroit Motor Show. As with the Arnage R, there were twin turbochargers, but tuned to develop 450 [[HP|hp]] (340 kW) and 645 lbf ft (875 N·m). The Arnage T's 0–60 mph time is 5.5 s; a top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h) is claimed.

All Arnage R and T models share the same 3116 mm (122.7 in) wheelbase. The Arnage range was facelifted in 2004, with a front end resembling that of the new [[Bentley Continental GT|Continental GT]].

===Diamond Series===
Bentley is marking its 60 years of production at the Crewe factory with a special Diamond Series Arnage for 2006. 60 vehicles will be made, the majority for the United States, with diamond wood inlays, diamond quilted leather seats, a stainless steel front bumper, special 19 in alloy wheels, and Union Jack badges on the front wings.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Arnage.jpg
Image:Arnaget.jpg|2003 Bentley Arnage T
Image:Arangelimousine1.jpg|Arnage Limousine
Image:Arangelimousine2.jpg
</gallery>

==Azure==
On January 17, 2005, the '''Arnage Convertible''' [[concept car]], also known as the '''Arnage Drophead Coupe''', was shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In April 2005, Bentley confirmed that the model will be produced at Crewe for Spring 2006 sales. Bentley also confirmed the new model will adopt the '''Azure''' tag, replacing the previous [[Bentley Azure|Azure]] as the company's large four-seat [[convertible]]. The new Azure will use a 6.75 L twin-[[Turbo Engine|turbo]] [[V8]] which produces 460 [[HP|hp]] (335 kW) and 645 ft·lbf (874 N·m).

{{Bentley}}

==References==
* [[Car and Driver]]. '''99 Bentley Arnage Preview''. Ray Hutton. pg. 80–81. July 1998
* [[Car and Driver]]. ''Preview: Bentley Arnage Red Label''. pg. 84–85. Ray Hutton. March 2000
* [[Car and Driver]]. ''Bentley Arnage T''. pg. 95-98. Jim McGraw. October 2002

==External links==
* http://www.bentleymotors.co.uk
* http://www.bentleymotors.com
* [http://forum.zercustoms.com/viewtopic.php?t=34 2003 Bentley Continental GT Diamond Series]
* [http://www.all-carparts.com/Bentley/Bentley-Arnage-photos.php 2008 Bentley Arnage photo]

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley_Arnage Bentley Arnage], which includes these [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bentley_Arnage&action=history contributors].

[[Category:Current Models]]
[[Category:Bentley|Arnage]]
[[Category:Flagship vehicles]]
[[Category:Full-size vehicles]]
[[Category:Luxury vehicles]]
[[Category:Prestige vehicles]]

Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Bentley Arnage