Bentley Arnage T: Mack-Daddy Ride

Bentley Arnage T: Mack-Daddy Ride
Starting at around $235,000, with substantial upcharges for customization

If there is a singular descriptor for the Bentley Arnage T, it is simply “more.” The Arnage T (“T” for twin-turbo) costs more ($235,000 to start), weighs more (nearly three tons) and drinks more (10 mpg around town) than most reasonable people can tolerate. But reason goes out the window when you seal yourself into the Arnage T’s club-like interior, fire up its 6.75 liter 450 horsepower twin-turbocharged V8, and stride onto the roadway. That big engine generates nearly 645 lb-ft of torque – enough to move the 5,700 pound Arnage T from zero to 60 mph in a staggering 5.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 168 mph.

Driving the Arnage T in sport suspension mode is like driving a freight train. That is, if BMW made freight trains. You can almost suspend your belief in the basic laws of physics in this beast. It is big and heavy and fast and nimble all at the same time. And once you get past the perfectly reasonable fear of damaging a car that costs more than a perfectly reasonable house, you’ll have a blast.

At an undisclosed location, the T held its own at nearly 100 mph, with only a pesky Viper tailgating me just to prove he could. Peasant! But to be honest, you have to be on your toes to handle the Bentley at those speeds. It’s a lot of car, and even with its excellent brakes coming out of warp speed requires some forethought. The Arnage’s reflexes are not as quick as the Continental Flying Spur’s [August].

How do the two compare? The Spur is ultra modern with all-wheel drive. The “old school” Arnage is rear-wheel drive with a double-wishbone suspension updated by parent Volkswagen. The Spur is certainly luxurious, but it’s outdone by the substantially more expensive Arnage’s matched veneers, supple leathers, heavy chrome accents (those door handles must weigh 10 pounds!) and carpets as deep as shearling. And if 41 paint colors and 27 leather choices aren’t enough, you can always customize – as more than half of Arnage buyers do.

Which to choose? Budget aside, it depends on how much of an exhibitionist you are. The Spur may not be the picture of discretion, but the Arnage is definitely “in your face.” It’s sort of like corporate versus litigation. Or better yet, motion practice versus trial practice. In my opinion, the more modern Spur is the better car. But the Arnage Twin-Turbo is definitely the better ride.