Press Release
11 percent more powerfull than before
Bentley Motors continues the intensive development of its flagship Arnage range with the introduction of a major programme of powertrain and chassis enhancements for the 2007 Model Year. The Arnage’s renowned 6.75-litre V8 engine now develops up to 500bhp and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission benefiting performance, driving dynamics and refinement. The powertrain changes are complemented by subtle exterior, interior and under-bonnet design cues.
Key to this performance increase is the most powerful version of Bentley’s legendary V8 engine ever built at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, England. In the performance-oriented Arnage T model, the revised twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces a staggering 500bhp and 1000Nm of torque – an 11percent increase in power and a 14 percent increase in torque over the outgoing model. Twinned with the latest six-speed ZF automatic transmission, which uses state-of-the-art computer management, performance and refinement are optimised at all speeds. In the Arnage R and RL models the new engine is boosted from 400 to 450bhp, while torque climbs from 835 to 875Nm.
“The 2007 Model Year Arnage range is clear evidence of our intent to ensure Bentley’s flagship model remains at the forefront of technology and delivers the performance, refinement and luxury that every Bentley customer demands,” explains Stuart McCullough, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing.
The 500bhp Arnage T is a true driver’s car with much higher performance and delivers an even more rewarding driving experience. The improvements to the refinement and comfort of the 450bhp Arnage R are equally striking, while the long-wheelbase RL shares the same increased power output together with major improvements to the rear passenger cabin.
“Two years ago we introduced major upgrades to the Arnage’s chassis, steering and brakes,” says Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering. “Those improvements meant the car could easily handle a significant increase in power and torque, so work began on this important powertrain programme.”
The 2007 Model Year Arnage also benefits from safety, interior and design improvements. Every Arnage now has a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, rSAP Bluetooth integrated telephone system and improved driver ergonomics as standard. Additionally, new wheel, exterior paint colour and interior trim options are available, as well as an optional retractable ‘Flying B’ bonnet mascot.
The new 2007 Model Year Bentley Arnage range will go on sale from September 2006.
Overview
- Uprated 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine in Arnage T produces 500bhp and 1000Nm torque, thanks to new low inertia turbochargers and roller tappet system.
- Arnage R and RL models uprated to 450bhp and 875Nm of torque.
- Latest six-speed ZF automatic transmission with sophisticated locking torque converter provides fast yet ultra-smooth gearshifts.
- New Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) logic system improves dynamic response and handling with less intrusive intervention when a reduction in grip is detected.
- New Tyre Pressure Monitoring System fitted as standard to all Arnage models.
- Improved driver ergonomics thanks to 25mm increase in length of steering column and in vertical steering wheel adjustment.
- Exterior design styling changes includes new dark finish to Arnage T front radiator and bumper grilles, standardised bright chrome finish to R and RL grilles, and Bentley ‘B’ badges on the D-pillars.
- Underbonnet styling now features a black crackle finish to the Arnage T’s inlet manifold, embossed Bentley logo on plenum chambers and new ‘6¾ LITRE TWIN TURBO’ engine plaques.
- Interior design updates include new hide-trimmed gearlever and chrome gearlever bezel providing access to semi-automatic transmission function.
- New Thin Film Technology driver information panel displays more comprehensive and clearly accessible information.
- Arnage RL model receives additional standard specification including rear centre armrest bottle cooler, veneered rear centre cushion box, rear rSAP master telephone system, and reversing camera (US, EU, Australia and New Zealand markets only).
Engine
Bentley’s 6.75-litre V8 engine is the centrepiece of the 2007 Model Year Arnage development programme. This remarkable engine, the fundamental design of which has served Bentley models proudly for nearly five decades, has been extensively re-engineered to provide, in Arnage T specification, 500bhp and 1000Nm of torque - figures that ensure that the legendary Bentley wave of torque is even more astonishing than before. Top speed of the Arnage T has risen from 168mph/270km/h to 179mph/288km/h, while the 450bhp Arnage R and RL’s maximum speed increases by 13mph/21km/h to 168mph/270km/h.
When the first V8 engine was built in the1950s, the design brief unwittingly benefited later generations of Bentley engineers. It was a very forward thinking design with an all-aluminium construction, a five main-bearing crankshaft, and a well-supported camshaft. The steps taken then laid the foundations for the longevity of the engine.
“People might raise an eyebrow when they are told that the V8 engine in their 2007 Model Year Arnage was first used by Bentley in 1959,” says Bentley Motors’ Director, Powertrain and Chassis, Brian Gush. “But the reality is the basic design was so good that we have been able to continually improve it for nearly 50 years.
“One of the reasons the engine has evolved so successfully is the position of the exhaust valves, high in the cylinder head, originally designed for rapid heat dissipation to help engine cooling. Decades later it meant that we could heat the catalytic converter due to the short path from valves to catalysts, which benefits exhaust emissions. This is just one of the reasons why this brilliant engine lives on today.”
That first 6.25-litre engine produced around 200 horsepower – the new 2007 Model Year 6.75-litre V8 has more than twice that output, with 500bhp and 1000Nm of torque for the Arnage T. It was the introduction of turbocharging and intercooling in the early 1980s that saw step-change increases in the V8’s performance, and the latest engine programme is no different. Two new low-inertia turbochargers operate with far greater efficiency at lower engine speeds – they reach maximum turbine speed in half the time of the previous unit – thereby ensuring significantly reduced turbo lag and that prodigious wave of torque at any revs.
Furthermore, a reprofiled camshaft with an all-new roller tappet system provides revised valve timing and substantially improved refinement. These changes also deliver for increased power, enhanced durability and ensure compliance with European EU IV and US LEV II standards. Although the 2007MY 6.75-litre engine produces around 300 horsepower more than its 1959 predecessor, its fuel consumption is only 60 percent of the original and thanks to its advanced fuel injection and exhaust controls, its emissions output is an incredible 99 percent lower than Bentley’s first V8.
