Bentley ushers in new models for 2009

Australian buyers will shortly begin taking delivery of the upgraded Continental Flying Spur range -- including the Continental Flying Spur Speed, the most powerful sedan ever built by the famous British car company.

As per our earlier report (more here), the powerful new model knocks over the 0-60MPH acceleration time in 4.5 seconds and can go on to reach a top speed of 320km/h. As well as fettling the engine to produce 449kW of power and 750Nm of torque (37kW and 100Nm more than for the standard car), Bentley engineers also played around with suspension settings and specified a different wheel and tyre combination.

Dark-tinted radiator and other air intake grilles, plus larger-diameter exhaust outlets are the principal means of distinguish the flagship from the continuing Flying Spur model. Inside, the new model features 'Speed' scuff plates, a three-spoke leather-bound sports steering wheel, drilled-alloy sports pedals, the option of a bright or dark tint for the aluminium fascia and diamond-quilted leather trim for seats and door panels.

That 'bog standard' Flying Spur features revised visual cues, improved spring and damper rates, new NVH counter-measures, a premium audio system and an adaptive cruise control option.

Current pricing is $370,500 for the Flying Spur or $400,200 for the Flying Spur Speed. The importers tell us that although these prices include the 33 per cent Luxury Car Tax, they are still based on the previous LCT threshold of $57,123, not the post-August threshold of $57,180 -- so the actual prices will vary slightly.

The local arm of the famous manufacturer is also accepting orders for the Final Series Arnage. Only 150 units of the Arnage Final Series will be built, each one combining vehicle dynamics from the Arnage T -- the twin-turbo 6.75-litre V8 that powers this Arnage drives through a six-speed ZF automatic transmission -- and luxury features from the Arnage R. This limited build commemorates the Arnage, which was introduced along with its Rolls-Royce sibling, the Silver Seraph, in 1998.

Bentley and its former parent company parted ways when Volkswagen acquired the Rolls-Royce/Bentley factory at Crewe, in England's north, but BMW acquired the rights to use the Rolls-Royce name from British Aerospace, thus precluding VW to build Rolls-Royce-badged cars. At that time, production of the Silver Seraph concluded, but the Arnage has continued up until the present day.

Unique badging on the front quarter panels and scuff plates set this Arnage apart from earlier cars. Other visual clues to the car's identity include a dark-tinted radiator grille, the five-spoke-design 20-inch wheels from the Brooklands coupe, 'Le Mans' lower air vents in the front quarter panels, body-colour front and rear light bezels and a billet-aluminium fuel filler cap. The Final Series Arnage adopts the Naim Bentley premium audio system.

The importer expects that the first of the Final Series Arnage will be delivered in Australia around May or June of next year, priced approximately $50,000 above the Arnage T, which is currently selling for $574,000.

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