New Car: 2009 Bentley Arnage Final Series

Bentley is readying a Final Series model of its Arnage flagship that it will show at the 2008 Paris auto show. In addition to being a final sendoff for the old-school sedan —due for cancellation after the 2009 model year —the Final Series is the automaker’s celebration of 10 years of the Arnage, 50 years of its legendary V-8 powertrain, and 90 years of the marque itself.

The Final Series is based on the sporting Arnage T, meaning it receives the most potent version of the twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter —which Bentley has always insisted on refering to as 6¾-liter —V-8 producing 500 hp and cranking out a massive 738 lb-ft of torque. Also carried over are the T’s silky smooth six-speed automatic transmission and its chassis and running gear.

The exterior bears subtle hints that this car is the last of its kind, the most prominent being the “Final Series” badges on the front fenders. The wheels and tires are borrowed from the Brooklands coupe along with the “Le Mans” lower front fender vents. Other distinctive features include the body-color front and rear lamp bezels. To round off the look, Bentley throws in the retractable hood ornament and the jewel gas cap as standard equipment.

Inside, the Final Series wouldn’t be a proper tribute without an abundance of ultra-luxury features. There are handmade wood accents and hand-stitched leather surfaces. Up front are “Final Series” plates in the door sills. But the rear is where the party’s at. Back-seat passengers can celebrate with a stiff drink from a bespoke flask and shot glasses stowed in the cocktail cabinet. The picnic tables come in various veneers upon which to serve the hors d’oeuvres.

Handcrafted in Crewe, U.K., the Final Series will be limited to a run of 150 cars with pricing yet to be announced. Bentley is confident that it has created the perfect model to give the Arnage a grand farewell.

Meanwhile, a few details have emerged about the car’s successor, for which Bentley is expected to take full advantage of its VW/Audi partnership. Reports say that the next-generation Arnage will utilize Audi’s spaceframe technology as well as other new engineering techniques to shed weight. The Arnage may also lose its iconic powertrain in favor of one of Audi’s big 10- or 12-cylinder engines.