THERE is something inspiring about a Bentley.
It’s not just that the marque is steeped in history.
It’s not that the cars are instantly recognisable nor that they’re magnificent.
What’s really special is that a Bentley represents hand-built British automotive craftsmanship at its best.
No other nation can produce cars like this – and in the auto world in which we live that is a very special quality.
What more classic can you get in the Bentley range than the Arnage – the beautiful flagship adored by heads of state and VIPs across the globe.
Those wonderful lines which say Bentley in the blink of an eye have been kept contemporary thanks to some splendid styling by the craftsmen at Crewe – the Bentley factory now celebrating its 60th anniversary.
From the distinctive mesh grille to the Mulliner badges on the front wings, so much of the Arnage speaks volumes.
Powered by a soon-to-be-updated 6.7-litre V8 engine and with the benefits of twin turbos the Arnage T develops 500bhp.
The engine, like all other aspects of this incredible creation, is hand made and comes with the engineer’s name emblazoned on a plaque beneath the bonnet.
It may weigh more than 2.5 tons and is some 17 feet long but the Arnage T has the performance of a supercar.
Top speed is 180mph and 0 to 60 takes a mere 5.5 seconds. Cruising at motorway speeds the rev counter hovers around the 2,000 mark such is the might of this car.
Neither is it unduly thirsty for such amazing performance. It can average 14.5mpg. With a 96 litre tank that gives a range in the region of 300 miles in luxury few can imagine.
Inside, the Arnage is steeped with coachwork only Bentley can produce. From the diamond pattern in the leather upholstery to the piano black veneer on the dash and door cappings, it exudes distinction.
The instrument panel is picked out in a differing style, swirled metallic marquetry or gorgeous burl as an alternative.
Even the damping of the facial vent controls is pure perfection.
Serenely quiet in the cruise yet so potent when needs be this is what the pinnacle of automotive engineering is all about.
As with any car of this ilk, the rear is as important a place as the front and the back seats are fully adjustable to suit everyone’s needs.
Chromed switchgear and traditional analogue instrumentation complete the picture. The only obvious concession to modern technology is a full colour information screen which emerges electronically from the top of the dash in true Bentley unfazed fashion.
The information display is operated via a remote control handset so as not to interfere with the traditional conformity of the dash.
This is not merely a car, it’s a masterpiece of all that is great about our motoring heritage.
The marque may now be owned by Volkswagen but that is a company which knows the value of great engineering.
Also in the VW stable are Bugatti and Lamborghini and such acquisitions are about the preservation of brilliance not the exploitation of another nation’s excellence.
Bentley will always remain British through and through – no matter who may hold the purse strings.
FAST FACTS
Bentley Arnage T
Price: £170,000
Mechanical: 500 bhp, 6,761cc, 8cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 180 mph
0-62mph: 5.5 secs
Combined mpg: 14.5
Insurance group: 20
CO2 emissions: 495g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited mileage