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2003 Bentley Arnage R
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| A class act from any point of view |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:28:12 |
| Rating |
 146 ( -21 -14.38% ) | | Author | Kate McLeod |
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Description:
2003 Bentley Arnage R
A class act from any point of view
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Just the thought of a Bentley is enough to set yourself believing that your circle encompasses princes and dignitaries. Could your trailer of polo ponies be far behind? Whatever circle you travel, it is certain to be more fun in a twin-turbo Bentley.
Styling
The big front grille flanked by round headlights has "important" written all over it. Most of the styling is from the former model, but there is a new slight upturn on the rear spoiler and the "R" keeps the chromium brightwork that has been taken off the front, back and side of the T. The point is, the Bentley is a class act from any point of view.
Sliding behind the wheel of the "R", a thought flickered. The smoky blue color of the topstitched, rich leather upholstery was a tad dowdy, or, if you insist, understated. Bentley's willingness to customize fabrics and trims might solve that problem. They will to go to any limits to please their customers. All it takes is money. The hood of the Bentley stretches out before you, a sleek, gently curved plane of steel with the Bentley emblem proudly draped front and center.
The Arnage is available in three styles: Arnage T, Arnage R and the new, longer wheelbase Arnage RL, a touring limousine.
The sensuous burled wood on the door panels and the dash is worthy material for the vehicle's finely crafted cabinetry--so much so that it feels like star cabinetmaker Thomas Moser spent several weeks personally working on the cabin. The understated cream background of the instrument faces is offset with typography and numericals in brown and a rust-red. A hint of chrome, just enough to accent the details, completes the classic beauty of the dash.
Powertrain
The overall the conservative styling of this sedan belies what awaits you at the turn of the key. There is not a nanosecond of hesitation off the mark as the lungs of this big baritone, with twin turbochargers, swoosh you down the road-this near three-ton mother with 6.75-litre V8 moves. While this engine, which produces 400hp at 4000rpm and 616 lb. ft. of torque at 3250rpm, has been used in every Bentley since 1970, this version has undergone radical changes. Only the basic architecture and internal dimensions remain. The automatic 4-speed transmission, a carryover from the previous generation Arnage and made by General Motors Corporation, is an exercise in seamless handling. One thing you won't boast about is the mileage--10 mpg city/14 mgp highway-but that is the price of a power like this.
Driving Experience
We tested this rear drive vehicle on city, highway and suburban roads. Top speed for the Arnage R is 155 mph while 0-60 mph occurs in a mere 5.9 seconds. (We didn't quite make top speed but were into three digits and past the teens before the ride was over.) Passing anything on the road--including semis--is a rush. A quick glance back through the rear view mirror shows the vehicle you just passed as a speck-warp speed for super-achievers. Bentley tapped its speed and sport roots this year at Le Mans, scoring 1-2 and showing the world that pedigree counts.
Handling this luxury ship proves to be an experience that beautifully balances the inherent comfort and performance of this car. Bentley engineers have softened the springs and added variable rate dampers that can be tuned to suit the owner. In fact, they will tune the engine to suit as well. Special tuning is expensive, presumably something Bentley owners don't fret over. Helping to hold the Bentley to the road are 18" Pirelli P-Zero tires.
This vehicle is like an untamed spirit on the straight and handles like a tiger on corners with help from a rear anti-roll bar. Bentley has stiffened the body frame of the "R" improving handling over previous models and giving the car a better ride and better crash protection. A rear anti-roll bar and a thicker front roll bar produce in an increase in overall roll stiffness. It's version of electronic stability control is called ESP - Electronic Stability Programme.
Dramatic emissions reductions are part of the Arnage "R" package. Close-coupled catalytic converters tuck in near the exhaust manifold, heating them quickly. The faster they reach operating temperature, the quicker emissions are reduced.
A Bosch Motronic ME 7.1 engine management system influences and controls boost levels, detonation and exhaust temperatures, further reducing emissions. Twin-skin exhaust manifolds heat quickly, while their tuned exhaust lengths improve both efficiency and sound quality.
Safety features include antilock brakes, front and side airbags, traction and stability control.
Now, anyone would agree that if you buy a car with a price tag over $200,000 you have an inalienable right to nitpick the car to death. And once you drive the Bentley Arnage R, you will never want to ride in the not-terribly-comfortable backseat, even with the ample reading light and a mirror to check your ascot cleverly set into the C pillar.
Furthermore the armrest, with no phones or other toys seems lacking and the fabric upholstered onto the back window frame on my test car had come unglued and was dangling. This might have more to do with the fact that the vehicle I drove had been manhandled by the previous journalist than the fact that Bentley is falling down on the job of customizing and hand building their cars. Still, I recently compared notes with another journalist who could not get the top down on her Bentley Azure convertible. In fact, the Azure comes with a wrench just for hand-cranking the top in case you have the problem. Hmmmm.
If I was feeling not pampered enough in the base model R, I could, for a few thousand more-between $14,000 and $35,000--make myself cozier by adding options like DVD with headrest sound systems and veenered cocktail cabinets. Yes, these touches would certainly make the rear seats homier.
While I'm crabbing, the gorgeous optional burled wood table that folds down from the back of the front seat is too small, too far away-even though the back seats move forward-and at an awkward height for a worktable. And with no recesses carved into the top to hold glasses or cups-one swift corner and the fine carpet is soaked with martini. One of my test drive passengers also noticed that you could feel the rotation of the engine sitting in the back. No, this is not a backseat car. This luxury rocket wants to be driven.
Trunk storage at 13 cubic feet allows for plenty of luggage and sports equipment, but that is not its most amazing aspect. The interior of this trunk is like a living room. You could serve heavy hors d'oeuvres off the floor.
The Arnage is available in three styles: Arnage T, Arnage R and the new, longer wheelbase Arnage RL, a touring limousine. The Arnage T is the most powerful road car Bentley has ever built. The R has slightly more refinement than power but there's really plenty of both. An MSRP of $207,385 for the R and $256,990 for the RL and option packages ranging from $17,000 to $35,000 puts the Bentley owner in a rarified atmosphere. All warranties are 3 year/unlimited mileage. The Arnage demands a reserved parking spot and special attention for its owner-but of course, isn't that the point? Actually, the real point of this vehicle is to go fast which it does brilliantly.
Soon, very soon, those who can only afford a $150,000 automobile will be able to drive away from their Bentley dealer in the gorgeous Continental GT two-door coupe. One fifty for this car, by the way, is a bargain-how about 550 horsepower? The GT has already struck a chord with potential buyers-Bentley has 2,000 orders in the U.S. and they hope to deliver about 1500 GTs to the U.S. next year. Order now and you may be able to get one in 2005. With the new "entry level" vehicle, Bentley wants to sell 10,000 around the world-with 5,000 of those being sold in the U.S. Today they sell only 400 cars a year so they have a lot riding on the GT. Early predictions say the GT is going to be a hot car.
--Photos Courtesy of Bentley Motors
--Story by Kate McLeod |
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