February 27, 2002

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Preview:
Bentley Arnage T
by Greg Wilson

The technical specs for the new Bentley Arnage T speak for themselves: 450 horsepower at 4,100 rpm, 645 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm, 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, top speed 270 km/h. All this from a full-size four-door sedan that weighs over 2300 kg (5000 lb.) Bentley claims the Arnage T is the fastest production sedan in the world, although I recall that the BMW M5 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in under 5.5 seconds. Still the Arnage T is exceptionally fast for a big, heavy four-door luxury sedan, and nobody beats it for engine torque. For the fortunate few who can afford its expected $350,000 + price tag, the Arnage T will offer the ultimate in luxury, performance, and of course, prestige.

The Arnage T is the result of a three year project to re-engineer the current Arnage Red Label sedan. Though it looks similar to the current model, the Arnage T has been extensively modified underneath. The Arnage T is the first model in the Series Two range, and will be joined later in 2002 by successors to the Arnage Red Label and Arnage Long Wheelbase.

When the Arnage was first introduced, it had BMW's 4.4 litre V8 engine, but Bentley buyers didn't like its lack of torque. So in 1998, Bentley decided to offer the Arnage with the traditional 6.75 litre V8 engine in addition to the 4.4-litre V8. The response was overwhelming, and Bentley soon dropped the 4.4 litre engine. However, the old 6.75 litre engine hadn't been updated since 1982, and needed modifications to meet future emissions standards and to improve engine efficiency and fuel consumption. Bentley engineers began working on an updated version of this engine about three years ago.

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Among the many changes, the most important is the adoption of two Garrett T3 turbochargers which replace the single T4 turbocharger. The main advantages of a twin turbo layout are more power and reduced emissions. As well, by using two smaller turbochargers with reduced inertia, the Arnage T engine produces substantially reduced response times across a wider rev range. If you can believe it, the new engine has even more torque than the previous engine, a feature cherished by Bentley buyers.

Inside the engine, there are new pistons that feature a revised crown configuration to produce more efficient combustion for greater power and reduced emissions, and the valve-gear has been totally reworked with a new camshaft featuring revised lift and duration. The maximum engine speed was raised from 4500 to 5000 rpm to allow better use of the gearbox and the new gearing.

The most important external change is the adoption of Bosch Motronic ME 7 engine management, which enables the Series Two Arnage to reduce its emissions and improve its response. It also makes possible the replacement of the Arnage's traction control with Bosch's Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), and the traditional throttle linkage with an electronic 'fly by wire' throttle.

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The tried-and-true General Motors four-speed automatic gearbox used in the Arnage Red Label has been retained for the Series Two Arnage. However, it offers enhanced shift smoothness and shift times of less than 0.4 sec. As well, the rear axle ratio has been changed to allow a slower engine speed at freeway cruising speeds.

To strengthen the body structure, Bentley added a brace inside the fenders, strengthened the sills, included an extra bow in the roof, and reinforced the front bulkhead. Adhesive bonding materials were used around the door frames while stronger mounts for the steering column were fitted. The result is a significant improvement in body stiffness with a weight increase of just 15.6 kg.

The Arnage T retains a fully independent double wishbone suspension but has stiffer front springs, a new rear anti-roll bar and a stiffer front anti-roll bar which results in 57 per cent greater roll stiffness than the Arnage Red Label. The Arnage T has standard 255/50ZR-18 inch asymmetric Pirelli P-Zero tires and a five spoke alloy wheel design; or new, optional 255/45ZR-19 inch tires mounted on 19 inch three-piece split-rim wheels.

As the brakes of the Arnage were completely upgraded in 1999 with the introduction of 18 inch wheel rims, no further modifications were needed except some aerodynamic modifications to the flow of air to the brakes.

In terms of safety, the major change is the inclusion of side airbags for both front and rear seat passengers, and the installation of full length side airbag curtains. Bentley says they conducted over twenty Arnage T crash tests to ensure the best possible crash performance. If that's not something to cry over, I don't know what is.

If you want to impress your friends by being able to spot the differences between an Arnage T and an Arnage Red Label, here are the subtle differences: the Arnage T uses the Black Label badge (reserved only for the most sporting Bentleys) and otherwise used only by the Continental T. There is a new bumper with a lower air dam, larger openings in the bumper to provide extra air to the brakes, and new front fog lamps. The air intakes in the bumper now use the same 'laser-cut' matrix that is used for the radiator grille.

The side of the car features new thicker side sills, and much of the car's chrome has been removed. The rear bumper has been restyled to arc around the large diameter twin tail-pipes, and there is a new integrated rear spoiler in the trunklid.

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The interior of the Arnage T features redesigned seats with improved seat heaters, perforated Connolly leather and contrasting stitching, and an embroidered Bentley motif. There is extensive use of engine-turned aluminium for both the instrument panel and the door trim. A unique feature is a distinctive black 'Engine Start' button, and drilled pedals which can be ordered as an option. The wood trim is a darker stain than on other Arnage models. An optional DVD-based satellite navigation system is now available and is displayed on a pop-up screen on top of the dashboard.

If all this isn't enough for you, Bentley's Personal Commissioning department can tailor an Arnage to your precise specifications. The interior can be trimmed with a variety of leather, wood and metal materials, and the Arnage can even be turned into a mobile office. But then you'd have to sit in the back, and that would take all the fun out of owning one of the fastest production cars in the world.

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Greg Wilson is a Vancouver-based automotive journalist and editor of CanadianDriver