Sporty Bentley redefines luxury

With its tradition of mating fast and powerful multi-cylindered engines with real wood-veneered and soft leather interiors, legendary British marque Bentley is one of the last words in automotive statements.

Bentley is currently owned by Volkswagen. The German takeover has infused Teutonic precision into the tradition of British craftsmanship and produced glorious sporty yet luxurious cars such as the Arnage range. And starting at a base price of Dh1.3 million, the Arnage RL is the ultimate luxury statement within the range.

Geoff Dowding, Bentley's Director of Worldwide Operations, said: "Some manufacturers content themselves with making only sporty cars and as an increasing number of brands are recreated as purely limousine makers, we at Bentley continue our 86-year-old philosophy of providing cars equally adept at both these seemingly opposed disciplines.

"We have achieved the pinnacle at both ends of the market – in our desire to win Le Mans race, and in designing and building an all new State Limousine for The Queen in 2002. This is a feat that we believe only Bentley could have achieved."

The Arnage RL comes with an impressive 6.75-litre V8 engine with 450bhp that can take it from standstill to 100kph in six seconds and standstill to 160kph in 13.4 seconds, with a top speed of 270kph.

The wheelbase of the Arnage RL has been extended by 9.84 inches to provide unparalleled levels of luxury and comfort to rear-seat passengers. With that amount of room at your disposal, the car can also be used as a mobile office, so that you can run your business uninterrupted even while stuck in endless traffic jams.

But that is not all you can do thanks to Bentley Mulliner – Bentley's personal commissioning department. You can configure the Arnage RL in any way you want.

"You can create a cabin of classical English elegance or specify a thoroughly modern interior where traditional materials are turned into the most forward-thinking shapes and finishes," Dowding said. "If you want to continue working while traveling, the Mulliner can also equip your Arnage RL with a computer system."

He said Bentley has already created one such model for a customer and the onboard computer system boasted a 1GHz Pentium processor, a 20GB hard drive, USB ports, an infra-red keyboard and Internet and e-mail facilities. Dual-band installations for mobile telephones were included front and rear. In addition, document storage was made available in each seat back, and walnut-veneer writing tables.

Customisation can also convert your limousine into a mobile cinema if you choose so. The RL can be custom fitted with two 13.1-inch screens, one at the back of each front seat, which can be fed from a six-disc DVD stacker in the boot. The satellite navigation screen in the front can also receive the television and DVD images, but only when the car is stationary. You can also get a CD and MP3 player installed, which will play through twin amplifiers to speakers incorporating twin sub-woofers.

If you want it to be a mobile drawing room, you can opt for a veneered cocktail cabinet or a wine cooler.

Bentley prefers its clients to visit the factory at Crewe, England, before placing an order, because they can benefit from the expert advice that is offered by stylists, designers, engineers and coachbuilders.

Dowding said: "Power is a prime area for discussion for those concerned about performance. If engines are to be highly tuned, the chassis can be set up to deliver corresponding levels of road-holding by lowering the centre of gravity, varying suspension stiffness and tyre profiles.

"The gearing of the steering rack can be graded, the suspension re-tuned, bumpers and exhausts restyled. Also, vents and scoops can be added to bonnets to improve aerodynamics, and the wheel-arches can be extended.

"As colour provides the first impression when the car is delivered, it is another reason for clients to visit the factory, because dealers might have only limited options in hand. At the factory they can be shown not only the 26 standard colours and any previous special ones, but also colours matched to meet customers' requirements where this is technically feasible. Paintwork has now been matched to a single sequin, or a lipstick."