Bentley Arnage

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2009)

Bentley Arnage

2003 Bentley Arnage T
Manufacturer	Bentley Motors Limited
Parent company	Volkswagen Group
Production	1998–2009
Assembly	Crewe, England
Predecessor	Brooklands Turbo RT
Successor	Mulsanne
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style(s)	4-door saloon/sedan
Layout	Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine(s)	4.4 L BMW V8
Transmission(s)	5-sp ZF 5HP30 automatic 4-sp 4L80-E automatic
Length	≥5 m (197 in)
Width	≥1.9 m (75 in)
Kerb weight	≥2,500 kg (5,512 lb)
Related	Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph

The Bentley Arnage is a large luxury car produced by Bentley Motors in Crewe, England from 1998 to 2009. The Arnage, and its Rolls-Royce-branded sibling, the 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 litre V8 engine, a powerplant which could trace its roots back to the 1950s. The new Arnage was to be powered by a BMW V8 engine, with Cosworth-engineered twin-turbo installation, and the Seraph was to employ a BMW V12 engine.

The Arnage is over 5 metres (197 in) long, 1.9 metres (75 in) wide, and has a kerb weight of more than 2.5 metric tonnes. For a brief period it was the most powerful and fastest four-door saloon on the market.

In September 2008, Bentley announced that production of the model will cease during 2009.

Contents 1 Development 1.1 Red Label and Green Label 2 Series two 2.1 UK State Limousine 2.2 2007 mechanical upgrade 2.3 Diamond Series 2.4 Final Series 3 Azure 4 New Bentley Mulsanne 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Development

Following the uplift in sales for all of Rolls-Royce, and resurgence of the Bentley marque, the 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 its internal combustion engines built elsewhere.

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

On its introduction in the spring of 1998, the Arnage was available as a single model with this 4,398 cubic centimetres (268.4 cu in) BMW V8 engine, with twin turbochargers, developing some 260 kilowatts (354 PS; 349 bhp).

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

Standard features include a navigation system with voice recognition, air conditioning with 4-zone climate controls, massaging front seats, heated and cooled front and rear seats, power front seats with lumbar adjustment, power tilt/telescopic heated wood/leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with radio, climate, and navigation controls, power liftgate,^{[clarification needed]} premium sound system, remote engine start, power rear sunshade, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and 8-disc CD changer. Optional features included massaging rear seats, power rear seats, heated and cooled cupholders, door-closing assist, and power sunroof.

[edit] Red Label and Green Label

During the takeover battle^[when?] between BMW and Volkswagen Group for ownership of Rolls Royce and Bentley Motors, BMW had threatened to stop supply of their engines if Volkswagen Group won. While the threat was later withdrawn in conjunction with BMW acquiring the right to manufacture the Rolls Royce marque at a new location, it was clear that Volkswagen could not accept the business and reputation risks associated with having their rival as a long-term business partner. Volkswagen’s response was to hastily squeeze the old 6.75 litre 16 valve engine from the Turbo R into the cramped engine bay of the Arnage, designed for the lighter and smaller BMW 32 valve V8 unit. Unfortunately, the old engine was extremely thirsty, and did not meet emissions standards without modifications which then made the unit less reliable.^{[citation needed]}

The revised version of the car was launched as the Arnage Red Label in October 1999. At the same time, but without the fanfare, Bentley made substantial modifications to the original BMW engine cars, and designated them as the "Arnage Green Label" for the 2000 model year. As part of the modification process, both Red and Green Label cars benefited from expanded leg room in the cabin, stiffer body shells, larger roadwheels and brakes, and extra equipment such as integrated satellite navigation and park distance control systems. However, despite the larger brakes, braking performance still worsened with the extra weight of the 6.75 engine. The braking performance of the Green Label from 70-0 was 172 feet while the later Arnage T's performance was 182 feet for the same speed.^[1][2]

The public relations department at Bentley pointed to customer demand as the driving force behind the reversion to the old two valve per cylinder 6.75 litre unit for the Red Label. This was a less than honest explanation, but surprisingly seemed to appear acceptable to all but a few of the motoring press who welcomed the return of the old unit after criticising the BMW motor as at best inspid and, at worst, underpowered.^{[citation needed]}

The fact that the BMW-powered Arnage, was more modern, considerably more fuel efficient, and had 32 valves with double overhead camshafts, twin-turbo and Bosch engine management technology - as opposed to 16 valve, single turbo and an ancient pushrod motor with less advanced engine management was completely ignored. At the end of the day, the Red Label’s increase in motive power shaved less than a second of the zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) time. However, the BMW twin turbo unit remained noticeably more agile and responsive from a drivers perspective (maintaining a 51.1/48.9 weight distribution),^[3] and ultimately far more reliable from a long term performance perspective.^{[citation needed]}

Vickers had outsourced to Cosworth the production of the old 6.75 litre Rolls-Royce engine for use in the continued Continental and Azure models, so reverting to the old standby engine was a natural choice for the company. In fact, Volkswagen Group 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 engine, which boasted torque of 835 newton metres (616 ft·lbf) with a single Garrett T4 turbocharger. This was the greatest amount of torque for a four-door car at the time. Also returning was the General Motors-sourced four-speed 4L80-E automatic transmission.

A long-wheelbase version of the Red Label was launched at the North American International Auto Show in 2001. The Green Label ended production in 2000. The Red Label models were replaced in 2002.

[edit] Series two

In 2001, the Arnage RL, a long-wheelbase limousine model (250 millimetres (9.8 in) longer than the Arnage), was launched. The extra length is added to the car at its rear doors and its C-pillar. With the standard Arnage model, the rear wheel wells butt up against the rear door frames, but with the RL they are a few inches further back. The overall effect is a larger rear area inside the car. This style of saloon stretch is sometimes called "double-cut" in the United States, due to the two main points where the car is extended. (Jankel and Andy Hotton Associates, for example, are two aftermarket coachbuilders especially known for this style.) Available only as a bespoke ("Mulliner") model, each RL is customised to the desires of the buyer. The RL, however, was also the first of a new series of Arnages which would finally cure the Bentley Arnage of the reliability and performance deficiencies experienced following its forced deprivation of the modern BMW engines it was designed to use. The RL would also present a credible challenge to BMW's attempts to revive the Rolls-Royce brand with its planned new model, the Phantom.

Wheelbases ranged from 3,336 millimetres (131.3 in) (or only slightly longer than the standard Arnage) to 3,566 millimetres (140.4 in),^[4][5] and even 3,844 millimetres (151.3 in), the latter two including a 100 millimetres (3.9 in) increase in the height of the roof. The 151-inch (3,800 mm) wheelbase version^[6] is stretched between the front and rear doors (rather than at the C-pillar and at the rear doors), American limousine-style. 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 clientele. A full B6 package was available for $243,000 to $300,000, offering protection from assault weapons and grenades. The RL remains in production as of 2006.

Though not particularly well advertised for reasons stated above, the RL's introduction saw the introduction of an entirely reworked version of the 6.75 litre V8 engine. Where the engine used in the Red Label was a quickly and less than completlely satisfactorily modified version of the Turbo RT's unit, the RL featured an entirely reworked version of the old 6.75 litre V8. More than half of the engine's parts were completely new, with Bosch Motronic ME7.1.1 engine management replacing the old Zytek system, and two small Garrett T3 turbochargers replacing the single large T4. This new engine developed 298 kilowatts (405 PS; 400 bhp) and 835 newton metres (616 ft·lbf), and was said to be capable of meeting all future emissions requirements. Finally, the Arnage was powered by a modern twin-turbo unit with state of the art electronic management system similar to the originally Cosworth-BMW unit developed for the Arnage in 1998. Perhaps ironically, what was essentially a new engine developed by Volkswagen Group engineers for the RL in 2001, was now producing the same sort of power as the original BMW V8 4.4 engine used in the first Arnage in 1998.

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 340 kilowatts (462 PS; 456 bhp) and 875 newton metres (645 ft·lbf). The Arnage T's 0–60 mph time is 5.5 seconds; a top speed of 168 miles per hour (270 km/h) is claimed.

All Arnage R and T models share the same 3,116 millimetres (122.7 in) wheelbase. The Arnage range was facelifted in 2005, with a front end resembling that of the new Continental GT.

[edit] UK State Limousine

The Bentley State Limousine is an official state car created by Bentley Motors Limited for Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. Only two of these exclusive luxurious vehicles were ever built, making it even rarer than the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, of which only 18 were built, exclusively for royalty and heads of state.

The vehicle's twin-turbocharged, 6.75 litre V8 engine has been modified from Bentley's Arnage R version to produce 300 kilowatts (408 PS; 402 bhp) and 835 newton metres (616 ft·lbf) of torque. Maximum speed is 130 miles per hour (209 km/h).

The Bentley State Limousine is three feet longer than a standard Bentley Arnage, 10 inches (254 mm) taller, and 6 inches (152 mm) wider. It is equipped with broad coach doors that open to the rear almost 90 degrees.

The Bentley State Limousine also features a special gearbox, with a low-torque gear specifically designed for driving along at walking pace as smoothly as possible.

The car has been given armour cladding, a mine-resistant floor, armoured glass, and a cabin that can be sealed against a gas, chemical or biological attack. These security and safety measures hike the car's weight to almost 4,000 kilograms (8,818 lb), and it rides on kevlar reinforced tyres.

[edit] 2007 mechanical upgrade

2007 Arnage spec

Engine(s)	6.8 L Rolls-Royce V8 6.75 L Rolls-Royce V8 twin-turbo
Transmission(s)	6-sp ZF automatic
Wheelbase	3,116–3,366 mm (122.7–132.5 in)
Length	5,400–5,640 mm (212.6–222.0 in)
Width	1,900 mm (74.8 in)
Height	1,515 mm (59.6 in)
Kerb weight	2,585–2,655 kg (5,699–5,853 lb)
Related	Bentley Brooklands

For the 2007 model year, the Garrett turbochargers were replaced with low-inertia Mitsubishi units designed to improve engine response. The engine was mated to a version of the six-speed ZF automatic transmission found in the Continental range. Also, the capacity of the engine is increased from 6,749 cubic centimetres (411.8 cu in) to 6,761 cubic centimetres (412.6 cu in). The new tunings give Arnage T 373 kilowatts (507 PS; 500 bhp) and 1,000 newton metres (738 ft·lbf), while the milder Arnage R having 336 kilowatts (457 PS; 451 bhp) and 875 newton metres (645 ft·lbf). For the performance oriented T, factory stated 0-60 mph acceleration is only 5.2 seconds, and the top speed is 288 kilometres per hour (179.0 mph).

Arnage T

• max. power: 373 kW (507 PS; 500 bhp) @ 4,200 rpm
• peak torque: 1,000 N·m (738 ft·lbf) @ 3,200 rpm
• 0-60 mph: 5.2 s
• 0-100 km/h: 5.5 s
• max. speed: 290 km/h (180.2 mph)

Arnage R and Arnage RL

• max, power: 336 kW (457 PS; 451 bhp) @ 4,100 rpm
• peak torque: 875 N·m (645 ft·lbf) @ 1,800 rpm
• 0-60 mph: 5.5 s
• 0-100 km/h: 5.8 s
• max. speed: 270 km/h (167.8 mph)

[edit] Diamond Series

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

[edit] Final Series

In September 2008, it was announced that Arnage production will cease in 2009, once a final run of 150 "Final Series" models has been completed.^[7]

The Arnage Final Series includes the Arnage T powertrain, including the aforementioned twin-turbo 6.75 litre V8 engine^[7] that produces 373 kilowatts (507 PS; 500 bhp) and approximately 1,000 newton metres (738 ft·lbf) of torque. The powertrain delivers torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Outside, the Final Series features unique 20 inch alloy wheels, a retractable 'Flying B' mascot, body-colored headlamp bezels, dark tint matrix upper and lower grilles, lower front wing vents, a 'Jewel-style' fuel filler cap and special badging.

The interior, designed by Mulliner, features Final Series kick plates, drilled alloy pedals, unique chrome trim, a rear cocktail cabinet^[7] and two picnic tables. The model also comes with four special umbrellas^[7] and a premium 1,000 watt audio system by Naim Audio.

The model is offered with 42 exterior colour schemes, 25 interior hides and three wood veneers. It can also be specified with the bespoke color-matching offered by Bentley.

The Final Series also marks the 50th anniversary of Bentley’s V8 engine. The 2009 variant of the engine is still loosely based on the same design that was introduced in the 1959 Bentley S2. However, the 2008 engine shares no interchangeable parts with the 1950 model, the last common item having been replaced in 2005. When the engine was first unveiled promotional literature described power and torque as 'adequate'. Now twin-turbocharged, the all-aluminium alloy engine delivers 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds in a car weighing 2.5 tonnes. Fuel consumption is heavy, with Bentley stating that the model averages less than 10 mpg^{[clarification needed]} in the city and just over 20 on the highway in European testing.

A replacement model, which is called the Bentley Mulsanne has been launched in August 2009, at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, in Monterey, California.^[8]

[edit] Azure

On 17 January 2005, the Arnage Convertible concept car, also known as the Arnage Drophead Coupe,^{[citation needed]} was shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In April 2005, Bentley confirmed that the model would be produced at Crewe for Spring 2006 sales. Bentley also confirmed the new model will adopt the Azure tag, replacing the previous Azure as the company's large four-seat convertible.

The new Azure uses a 6.75 litre twin-turbo V8 engine which produces 335 kilowatts (455 PS; 449 bhp) and 874 newton metres (645 ft·lbf), and is capable of a top speed of 270 kilometres per hour (168 mph). The Azure is set to be priced at $320,000.00.

[edit] New Bentley Mulsanne

The Bentley Arnage will be replaced by the Bentley Mulsanne. The design of the car is now completely independent from Rolls-Royce cars.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bentley Arnage

• BentleyMotors.com official international portal
• Bentley Motors UK

v • d • e Bentley Motors company ownership and road car timeline, 1920s–present — a marque of the Volkswagen Group
type / class	1920s		1930s				1940s		1950s		1960s		1970s		1980s		1990s				2000s				2010s
	independent (1919–1931)			Rolls-Royce (1931–1998)																Volkswagen Group (1998–>)
sports car	3 L	4½ L					WWII
saloon		6½ / Six	4L / 3½ 4¼L / V					VI	R	S1 / S2 / S3		T1		T2	Mulsanne								CFS
large saloon		8 L												Camargue						Arnage					Mulsanne
coupé													Corniche			Continental & C Turbo		Continental R/S/T				C GT
convertible																			Azure				C GTC
founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the Volkswagen Group • Bentley Boys

v • d • e Bentley automobile timeline, 1980–2003 — a marque of the Volkswagen Group — next »
type / class	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3
saloon					Eight
	Mulsanne								Mulsanne S					Brooklands					Arnage			Arnage RL/R
			Mulsanne Turbo				Turbo R											Turbo RT		Arnage Red Label			Arnage T
coupé												Continental R
															Continental S		Continental T
convertible	Corniche				Continental											Azure
colour code:	Silver Shadow-based								Mulsanne-based								Arnage-based
founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the Volkswagen Group • Bentley Boys

v • d • e « previous — Bentley automobile timeline, 1998–present — a marque of the Volkswagen Group
type / class	1990s		2000s										2010s
	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
saloon	Arnage							Continental Flying Spur
		Red Label			Arnage R/T								New Mulsanne
				Arnage RL
coupé	Continental R					Continental GT
	Continental T										Brooklands Coupé
convertible										Continental GTC
	Azure								Azure
colour code:	Mulsanne-based			Arnage-based				Continental GT-based			New Mulsanne-based
founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the Volkswagen Group • Bentley Boys • Bentley Speed 8