By Dan Trent
02 October 2008 13:30:43

Paris: Bentley Arnage special edition

So it’s a fond farewell – or should that be bon voyage – to the last of the true Bentleys, the Arnage. And it’s going out in style, in an exclusive run of 150 ‘Final Series’ cars being shown for the first time here in Paris.
Bentley Arnage final edition (Image © Magiccarpics.co.uk)
Bentley Arnage: click images to enlarge
The end of the Crewe-built Arnage is a bitter-sweet moment, representing the last of what many people consider the ‘proper’ Bentleys conceived before the VW buyout. Indeed, the Arnage was actually launched in 1998, the same year VW took control and heralded the era of the Continental GT and its Flying Spur derivative.
                   
While the Continental and Flying Spur are very much modern cars, the Arnage maintains the air of defiant traditionalism enthusiasts (us included) admire. And with the Final Series it’s certainly going out in fine style, with the 500bhp twin-turbo V8 performance of the T and all the luxury and refinement of the R.
 
Bentley Arnage final edition (Image © Magiccarpics.co.uk)
Bentley Arnage
With a starting price of nearly £170,000 and the ability to inflate that well beyond with the help of Bentley’s Mulliner custom shop, the ‘standard’ Arnage is already an exclusive taste. But the Final Series includes many of the most popular Mulliner additions, including the cocktail cabinet, leather trimmed document storage bin and two veneer picnic tables.
 
The level of craftsmanship in the car has to be seen first hand to be fully appreciated, each car taking a minimum of six weeks to build. And although high on old-school luxury there’s modern technology too, with an awe-inspiring Naim hifi set up and, by jove, optional iPod connectivity!
Bentley
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Paris Motor Show 2008 - your vote

  1. Which car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2008 do you most want to own?

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  1. Which car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2008 do you most want to own?
    1. New BMW 7-Series
      12%
    2. Chevrolet Cruze
      1%
    3. Ferrari California
      23%
    4. New Ford Ka
      4%
    5. Lamborghini Estoque
      36%
    6. Lexus IS 250 Cabriolet
      4%
    7. New Renault Megane
      2%
    8. New Toyota Avensis
      4%
    9. Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
      3%
    10. New VW Golf
      11%
28336 responses,