2010 Bentley Arnage to get Audi's Spaceframe Chassis

The Arnage is the largest model in the Bentley portfolio and it currently sells between 600 and 800 units every year. The current model (pictured) has been on the market since 1998 and in 2010 when the lifespan hits 12 years we will see a brand new model unveiled.

Bentley officials have assured us that the new Arnage won't just be a evolution of the Continental Flying Spur. The British Luxury manfaucturer will take advantages of its links to the Volkswagen group by using the new Audi spaceframe technology which is set to grace upcoming models such as the A6 and A7. The new chassis technology coupled with some radical engineering will shed around 150kg off the weight of the Arnage and Bentley chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen has also emphasized the proportions of the current model will pretty much stay intact with the high roof and seating positions.

Despite some calls for a more environmentally friendly engine, Bentley has confirmed that neither a hybrid or diesel engine is in its thoughts at the moment due to a lack of demand from its super rich high end customers.

"We have the technology to do a diesel right now," said Paefgen, "but whether we do it really depends on how successful VW, Mercedes and others are at normalising diesel sales in the US.

Previous reports have stated the model could even go completely in the other direction by inroducing the Bugatti Veyron's 987bhp W16 engine into the lineup as Volkswagen look at further way to use the hugely expensive technology. Despite these rumours it is more likely we are going to see Audi's high displacement V10 and V12 engines used.