2005 Bentley Arnage Limousine Preview

The brake calipers are upgraded to 8-cylinder units up front and 4-cylinder components in the rear, clamping down on

The brake calipers on the limousine are upgraded to 8-cylinder units up front and 4-cylinder components in the rear. (Photo: Bentley Motors)

ventilated alloy discs for impressive braking performance with little fade after repeated operation, according to Bentley. The stock brakes certainly work well in the Arnage I previously tested, and therefore these uprated binders needed for the heavier car should perform equally.

But as exciting as the new Arnage was to drive, what initially took my breath away were the changes made to its classic styling. While still unmistakably a Bentley, the 2005 Arnage streamlines the look with a more integrated wrap-around front fascia-fender assembly and exposed xenon low and halogen high beam quad headlamps, losing the glass covered beams and any resemblance to the old Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph in the process. The new Arnage also deletes the large vertical turn signals at each

While still unmistakably a Bentley, the 2005 Arnage streamlines the classic look. (Photo: Bentley Motors)

front corner, integrating them into the outside headlights for a much cleaner appearance instead.

The updated bumpers integrate headlamp power-washers which retract away "invisibly" when not in use. Bentley also offers the choice of either a matrix or vaned pattern on the modified radiator grille. The 2005 car's hood bulges at center more so than last year's Arnage, melding more fluidly with the radiator shell.

The Arnage's profile and rear end designs are pretty well identical to the current car, excepting new wheels for all trim levels in the former and a splash of chrome surrounding the license plate indent on the Arnage R with regards to the latter.