The Bentley of 2009 was a very different company to the one that launched the first Arnage models in 1998. Consistently strong investment from parent group Volkswagen AG saw a transformation in the company fortunes and morale, with the Continental GT and its related models accounting for a ten-fold increase in production volumes.
Constant Evolution
The Arnage had evolved consistently over the decade and the Final Series models were faster, better equipped, more advanced and better handling than the first models. Some things had remained the same; the Arnage was still built by hand in limited numbers and was powered by a 6.75-litre V8 that could trace its family history back to the Bentley S2 of 1959. In Final Series guise the Arnage shared its drivetrain with the flagship Arnage T, giving it a power output of 500bhp and an immense 1,000Nm plateau of torque from 3,200rpm.
Distinguishing Features
From outside, the Final Series Arnage was distinguished by the flying ‘B’ bonnet mascot, dark-tinted upper and lower grilles, front wing vents and 20”, five-spoke alloy wheels. Other features included body-colour lamp bezels and a discreet Final Series badge on the boot lid.
Inside, the veneer waistrails carried an inset chrome strip with recessed Bentley badges; the front two doors revealed Final Series treadplates and the brake and throttle pedals featured the Bentley ‘B’ in drilled alloy. The rear compartment was equipped with a central cocktail cabinet and veneered picnic tables. The underside of the boot lid held four Bentley umbrellas.
| Date Produced | 2009 |
| Number Built | Arnage total production: 2,273 |
| Body | Saloon; 4-doors, 5-seats; weight 2,585 kg |
| Engine | V8 6,750 cc. pushrod overhead valves; hydraulic tappets; gear-driven central camshaft; aluminium block and heads; Bosch Motronic ME7.1 fuel injection and engine management; two Mitsubishi TD04 turbochargers |
| Power | 500 bhp @ 4,000 rpm; 1,000 Nm @ 3,200 rpm |
| Transmission | Rear wheel drive; 6-speed ZF 6HP-26 automatic transmission |
| Chassis | Steel monocoque with sub-frames; independent suspension by coil springs and wishbones; anti-roll bar; adaptive electro-hydraulic dampers with self-levelling |
| Dimensions | Wheelbase 3,116 mm; track 1,600 mm; length 5,400 mm |
| Performance | Maximum speed 179 mph (288 kph); 0-100 kph (62 mph) 5.5 sec |
