2005 Bentley Arnage Review

Specifications

Perfection in Process

Ultra-premium marques such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley dont update their models as often as economy brands, but the latter of the two is starting to buck old trends. After doffing conservative old Rolls-Royce, Bentley is beginning to spread its legendary wings.

Its Continental GT has seriously ruffled exotic feathers at Newport Pagnell, still upstaging Aston Martins new DB9 even though it was introduced almost a year prior. Bentley went and trounced its competition yet further by pricing the new model too close to the entry-levels of most exotic brands for comfort.

While the multi-award-winning GT is gorgeous, a revitalized Arnage is at least as important from a business perspective. I previously have had the pleasure of piloting the luxury biased R and sport-oriented T during the model year 2003 media launch in California, and can attest to both models unsurpassed capabilities.

But as exciting as either Arnage was to drive, what stole my heart initially was their classic styling. While still pulling classic cues, the 2005 Arnage streamlines the look further with a sculpted wrap-around front fascia-fender assembly and exposed xenon low and halogen high beam quad headlamps, losing the glass covered beams in the process. The new car also leaves behind the large vertical turn signals at each front corner, but rather integrates them into the outside headlights for a much cleaner appearance.

New bumpers that incorporate headlamp power-washers that retract away “invisibly” when not in use, are elegantly simple while Bentley now offers the choice of either a matrix or vaned pattern on the updated radiator grille. The hood bulges at center more so than last years car, melding more fluidly with the radiator shell while setting up the ideal backdrop for Bentleys new two-tone paint scheme.

Its profile and rear end designs are pretty well identical to the current car, excepting new wheels for all trim levels in the former and a splash of chrome surrounding the license plate indent on the Arnage R with regards to the latter. But giving the Bentley a mere facelift is fine with me, as its backside is among the most well proportioned in the auto business.

The engine is as beautifully displayed as its power is awe-inspiring to contemplate. Bucking a trend of covering mechanicals with a sculpted shroud, something that started in the premium class, Bentley veils the less appealing open area of the engine bay and through the center exposes enough polished aluminum to make a hotrod buff salivate.

Behind the glimmering shell beats the heart of all Bentleys for the last 50 years, a thundering V8. Actually, the current 6.75-L engine dates back to the 1950s, albeit thoroughly updated with twin-turbochargers for previously unfathomable output figures while meeting modern day emissions standards - EU4 in Europe and LEV in North America. The result of its 2002 makeover produced 400 horsepower and 616 lb-ft of torque in R and RL trim, for 60 mph sprints in about 6 seconds and a top speed-limited velocity of 155 mph. An even more impressive 450 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque is available when under the hood of the Arnage T, resulting an even more throttling 5.4 seconds to 60 mph and a free-revving top speed of 168mph. The acceleration is staggering, even factoring in the Bentleys healthy curb weight.

That mass is more about substance than anything else. Unbelievable levels of handcrafted care and attention are liberally on display, with hardly a piece of plastic in sight to cheapen the experience. Pretty well every convenience expected in this class of car is part of the standard package, with anything else a person could ever want available from Bentleys Mulliner division, a customization shop extraordinaire. If you think such extravagance is only for the few, think again. More than fifty percent of Bentleys Arnage buyers opt for personal modifications to their new cars.

Its no wonder why the marque endears itself to its clientele, with one customer commenting that “determining the specification of an Arnage is like having your own, private car company,” according to Bentley. The automaker also offered the words of another Arnage owner, stating that he “told us he considered his Arnages to have been born, not made.” A brief contemplation of the lengthy gestation period to produce one of Bentleys sedans makes this statement closer to fact than fiction.

Just making a decision on colors could be as challenging as naming a child, what with forty standard hues to choose from as well as extremely attractive dual tones, plus twenty-seven options for the interior hides. Arnage R and RL seat and headrest edges can now be trimmed with contrasting piping by the way. Still the opportunity to custom order colors and interior trim even further is still part of the Bentley experience.

Colors aside, customers who regularly opt for the Mulliner treatment will find the 2005 car more comfortable to begin with mind you, with improved ergonomics due to hidden secondary controls, updated instruments and switchgear, a new DVD-based navigation system, and completely upgraded dashboard top. This makes for a more integrated design, with a much more powerful nav system that now includes coverage of entire continents on a single DVD disc.

The centre console features upgraded climate control and heating, ventilation and air conditioning switchgear, while switches for the power windows are now said to be more “intuitively arranged.” Those hidden secondary controls spoken of in the previous paragraph include actuators for the power seats, memory functions and seat heater, now located beneath a sliding panel behind the gear lever.

The concealment process doesnt stop there, with Bentleys quest to simplify the cabins appearance incorporating sliding wood panels that hide the audio system interface, ancillary ventilation controls, and ashtray.

Bentleys have always been drivers cars first, at least when it comes to the companys non-royalty cars. To that end, the already nimble Arnage has been upgraded for 2005 with a modified rear suspension layout designed to improve ride quality while making the cars handling more responsive - and I thought the previous model was good.

Just what did they do? Bentley moved the lower mounting point of the rear damper from the upright to lower wishbone, which is reported to make a substantial improvement in overall control. Bentley also made adjustments to the spring, damper and bush rates, before adding all-new Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires to the Arnage R and RL, delivering a dramatic benefit to rear seat ride quality. Of course, dramatic to an engineer can be measured in nanometers. Last years car was already so wonderfully smooth I find it difficult to believe Bentley has made the new car that much better.

Bentley made the Arnage T better too, with an improved ride for sure, but more importantly to the cars sporting clientele, enhanced at the limit handling. The 2005 T is said to offer great control when turning into a corner, delivering a “more settled feel,” while its breakaway characteristics are now more predictable when the stability control system is turned off - the optimal way to drive the car in dry conditions. Part of its sticky new attitude has to do with new standard 19-inch 7-spoke alloy wheels.

But better has its price, with the 2005 models rising compared to the current Arnage. The R now starts at $199,990, the T for $228,990 and the top-level RL, well if you have to ask? OK, its $256,990. Actual U.S. prices for the 2005 model have yet to be set. Part of the reason for the increase has to do with Bentley packaging popular options into its base R, RL and T models, in effect lowering what the average customer will pay. For instance the 2005 R will feature more than £2000 ($3,725) of previous options now included as standard equipment. Similar upgrades have been added to the RL, basically an Arnage with a 9.8-inch extended wheelbase.

Of course, all a current Bentley owner need do is glance at the cars reworked front end and all concerns over something as trivial as money dissipate into thin air. Its a marked improvement, subtle to the uninitiated but a major upgrade to those who prize the marque above all others. Now it is tied more closely to the new Continental GT, a handsome sibling to emulate.