This is a car that was never meant to be. When VW boss and arch-technocrat Ferdinand Piech bought Bentley in 1998, his intention was always that the big Arnage -- developed on a tiny budget by then owner, British armsmaker Vickers -- be replaced with a faster, more technically advanced car, the Continental. But thanks to the passion and persistence of Bentley chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen and engineering chief Ulrich Eichhorn, the Arnage will continue to be the flagship of the Bentley range.
An all-new Arnage (the current Arnage Final Series is pictured) will make its public debut later this year. The car will be about the same size as the current Arnage -- and the forthcoming Rolls-Royce 200EX -- but will have a longer wheelbase for improved interior room. The redesigned interior will feature vastly improved ergonomics and better integrated electronics, but will retain its olde-worlde charm.
The new Arnage will remain old-school under the hood too, powered by an upgraded version of the legendary, charismatic 6.75L overhead-valve turbo V-8. This engine's basic design dates back to 1959, but, says Eichhorn, is capable of meeting all foreseeable emissions requirements. Expect at least 500 hp and more than 738 lb-ft of torque driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission to improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions.
Bottom Line: The best of British, reinvented by the Germans
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