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Car of the Month - September 2023
Bentley Arnage T, 2003, #SCBLF34F3 2CX08632
The particular charm of the Bentley Arnage T stems from its combination of characteristics that at a quick glance appear to be irreconcilable. On the one hand, the conservative style; in the exterior appearance of discreetly harmonious lines in combination with an interior whose luxury suggests a sedan-like character. On the other hand, a performance that simply should not be possible with such a shape and dimensions, covering the entire spectrum from gentle gliding to brute acceleration.
Right down to the rarely noticed details, esprit and aristocratic elegance are the defining characteristics of this model. The leather seats go with any outfit, whether functional sports overalls or glamorous evening robes. Although driving performance is offered from the league of a top-of-the-range sports car, there is no need to compromise on low-slung seats. One enters into the Bentley Arnage and then comfortably assumes an appropriate seating position on the extremely comfortable leather fauteuils. In an effective way, the dashboard combines traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. The parchment-coloured instruments are stylish in the same way as the door handles or the locking knobs, which are fitted into the precious wood trim on the upper edges of the doors.
Pressing the starter button brings the powerful engine to life. Fed by dual turbochargers, the 6.75-liter drive source instantly provides plenty of power. The sheer output of more than 450 hp (in this Mansory-tuned model, the yield is higher than the factory standard) takes secondary place. In the first place, the immense torque of about 900 Nm is impressive, which the tires mounted on bolted light alloy wheels bring to the road. Even in 'Sport' mode, which can be selected as an option, the V8 engine remains at a sonorous hum. It never exceeds a level where still an occasional creaking of the leather upholstery could be heard; neither the driver nor the passengers have to raise their voices for conversation inside the vehicle .
The extraordinary driving experience in a Bentley Arnage T is fed by the
charme of traditional craftsmanship at the highest level and
state-of-the-art technology that guarantees striking performance data.
At Bentley Motors' factory they had elegantly achieved for their cars
from Crewe – where Rolls-Royce and Bentley had been manufactured side by
side for the entire period since the end of the Second World War – to
distil significant features from the DNA of the sister brand. This is
obvious in the Arnage T at a rarely noticed place: a nameplate in the
engine compartment shows the reference to Rolls-Royce Motors. All in
all, the position of the Bentley Arnage T was that of a work of art with
opulent presence and sporty character. 20 years after originally having
been delivered to its first owner, this Arnage T still has nothing in
common with the mass-produced goods on the car market - except that it
is also based on 4 wheels. s.
