New Bentley Drop-Top Going into Production

New Flagship to be World's Most Expensive Four-Seat Convertible

Announced yesterday, April 14th, Bentley's stately Arnage Drophead Coupe, first shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in

Bentley Drophead Coupe fans in North America and Europe reportedly backed their enthusiasm with a willingness to sign on the dotted line. (Photo: Bentley Motors)

January (see automotive news section for Jan 7, 2005: Bentley Introduces Arnage Drophead Coupe Concept in U.S. Convertible Capital), is slated for series production.

While good news for well-heeled sun worshippers, the buzz surrounding the car during its introduction, with fans of the marque in North America and Europe reportedly backing their enthusiasm with a willingness to sign on the dotted line, made it pretty clear Bentley would build it.

"We knew that the Drophead Coupe would create quite a stir," commented Bentley chairman Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, "because it is the most sensationally beautiful convertible with strikingly contemporary lines and an

The last convertible Bentley built was the elegant Azure, now out of production, a model that ran for eight years and still looks fresh today. (Photo: Bentley Motors)

unashamed luxurious interior. Yet even we were surprised by how much demand there has been for us to put it into production. Our customers obviously remembered how good our last convertible was and naturally their expectations for this car were even higher. I'm glad to say they haven't been disappointed."

The last convertible Bentley built was the elegant Azure, now out of production, a model that ran for eight years and still looks fresh today. Its classic yet forward thinking design cues, shared with the Continental coupe of the same era, set the tone for all of Bentley's current models.