New Flagship to be Worlds Most Expensive Four-Seat Convertible

Announced yesterday, April 14th, Bentleys stately Arnage Drophead Coupe, first shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 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.

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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)

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)

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 Bentleys current models.

The Arnage sedan, the basis for the new Drophead Coupe, comes in a variety of trim levels, from the luxury-oriented R, RL and Limousine models, the latter only available in Europe, to the sport-oriented T series (shown). (Photo: Bentley Motors)

Its easy to see the similarities in the current Arnage, which experienced a front fascia design update and enhancements to the interior for the 2005 model year. The Arnage sedan, the basis for the new Drophead Coupe, comes in a variety of trim levels, from the luxury-oriented R, RL and Limousine models, the latter only available in Europe, to the sport-oriented T series. Its one of the most revered sedans, sharing the luxury premium segment with Rolls-Royce and Maybach only, and holds its own among this rarified

The new Drophead Coupe takes all thats good about the sedan and marries it to a two-door, open-top car. (Photo: Bentley Motors)

GM isnt saying the order in which its various brands and models will get the badge, but in time every car the General sells in North America will wear it.

What it has over its rivals is stimulating performance. Bentley has always been a drivers car first and foremost, despite offering a flagship limousine model with the sole purpose of pampering rear-seat passengers. From the phenomenally potent Continental GT coupe, to any Arnage model, powerful engines and nimble chassis are mated to driver-oriented cockpits,

Like the Arnage sedan, the Drophead Coupe will feature Bentleys velvety smooth 6.75-liter turbocharged V8, boasting 450-horsepower and an almost overwhelming 645 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Bentley Motors)

Now, the new Drophead Coupe, Bentley-speak for convertible by the way, will take all thats good about the sedan and marry it to a two-door, open-top car. The first cars are expected to roll out of Crewes production facility in about a years time, and when they do the droptop Arnage will position itself as the worlds most prestigious four-seat convertible.

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