And Bentley doesn't skimp when it comes to luxury on these last 150 units of the Arnage. The interior gets "Final Series" treadplates and some really trick toys — a rear cocktail cabinet, a "Final Series" stainless steel flask with shot glasses and a foursome of Bentley umbrellas. Oh, yes, and for an added pound or two, you'll also get an iPod interface. You know, for the kids. Full press release below with all the details.

BENTLEY ARNAGE FINAL SERIES

• Handcrafted at Bentley, Crewe, Arnage Final Series is an exclusive run of 150
cars, celebrating the last of Arnage

• Combining the performance of the T with the refinement of the R, Arnage
Final Series is the ultimate expression of class-leading luxury and effortless
power

• Arnage Final Series is the culmination of 90 years of Bentley heritage and
marks the 50th anniversary of the company’s iconic V8 engine

• Arnage Final Series also signals the end of an era as Bentley prepares for the
future

(PARIS MOTOR SHOW, 2 OCTOBER 2009) Since its debut in 1998 the Arnage has conveyed an air of sophisticated understatement as the four-door flagship of the Bentley range. Over the last decade the car has undergone a process of constant refinement to its body, design, chassis and powertrain to maintain its class-leading position in the high luxury market.

To celebrate 10 years of the Arnage, 50 years of its mighty V8 engine and 90 years of the marque, Bentley Motors launches its limited edition model at the Paris Motor Show today.

Called the Bentley Arnage Final Series, the new model features a unique specification, combining the performance of the 500 bhp Arnage T with the refinement of the Arnage R and design elements from the Brooklands coupe, for the ultimate expression of British luxury and effortless power in a four-door saloon – a grand finale, for the grandest of Bentleys.

Hand crafted at Bentley’s Crewe facility, the Final Series is an exclusive run of 150 cars, a unique example of the marque’s flagship created to bid ‘farewell’ to the highly successful Arnage line in the most appropriate manner and style. Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, explains:

“For 10 years, Arnage has enjoyed extraordinary success at the pinnacle of the luxury saloon market. The Final Series is a celebration of the Arnage era as Bentley prepares for the next generation of its flagship model.”

Based on the sporting Arnage T, the Final Series offers a range of discreet exterior cues that further enhance its powerful stance. Key ingredients of the distinctive appearance include a dark-tinted Bentley matrix radiator grille with Flying ‘B’ mascot and dark-tinted lower grille. The iconic Flying ‘B’, which can retract neatly into the grille surround, was originally designed by motoring artist F. Gordon Crosby and was first used on the 1930 Bentley 8-Litre.

The Arnage Final Series is further distinguished by exterior design features first seen on the exclusive Bentley Brooklands coupe, comprising 20-inch five-spoke, two-piece alloy wheels and ‘Le Mans’ lower front wing air vents.

Additional unique features include body-coloured front and rear lamp bezels, ‘jewel’ fuel filler cap (made from billet aluminium) together with ‘Final Series’ wing badges and polished stainless steel treadplates to the front doors.

The engine, transmission, chassis and running gear of the Arnage Final Series are identical to those previously employed in Arnage T. In this specification, Bentley’s remarkable all-aluminium 6 ¾ litre V8 engine produces 500 bhp (507PS/373kW) and 1000 Nm (738lb ft) of torque – figures that ensure that the legendary Bentley ‘wave of torque’ delivers effortless performance for a unique driving experience.

Acceleration to 60 mph is accomplished in 5.2 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.5 secs) with 100 mph reached in 12.1 seconds (0-160km/h in 12.0 seconds). Top speed of the Final Series is 179 mph / 288 km/h. Each V8 engine bears the signature of the team leader who oversaw its hand-built construction in the Crewe factory.

The six-speed ZF automatic transmission, first introduced for the 2007 model, ensures optimum flexibility, response and refinement. Three transmission modes (Drive, Sport and Semi-Automatic) allow the driver to take full advantage of the powerful 500 bhp V8 engine.

Autocar goes on to report that Bentley could use an adapted version of the hybrid system Audi debuted at the Frankfurt show in September. By incorporating the electric motor into the gearbox, that system could eliminate any potential packaging issues.

According to Autocar, the hybrid power train could form a part of the Arnage's replacement, due in 2010. That vehicle will share a significant number of parts with its Audi stable mates, including their Quattro four-wheel drive system. The first evidence of this new eco-friendly approach is due to appear at the 2008 Geneva motor show.

Paefgan is quick to assuage any doubts that this could mean a dilution Bentley's traditional values, telling Autocar ""This will be a totally independent car. It will not be like the Continental, a derivative of a VW Group product, although it will use components from the group."

Responding to the shot fired by Rolls-Royce with its 101EX concept coupe, Bentley will show a design study of an Arnage-based coupe at the Geneva show next year, Automotive News is reporting today. The concept car, dubbed "Havana," could hearken a flagship two-door, which would be a fixed-roof counterpart to the new convertible. With all the rumors of new entries all over the ultra-luxury spectrum, we wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this one ended up bombing down a Corniche near you in a couple of years. – Mike Spinelli

[Automotive News via Motor Authority]

Related:
Two Doors, No Contortions: The Rolls-Royce 101EX Concept [internal]

Never mind that Bentley's Arnage T is the Fatty Arbuckle of the automotive world (minus the Coke bottle), it's still Bent's flagship, retrograde as it is, and improvements must be made as a matter of course. The company says the 2007 T will get a power upgrade to the great thumping beast of a turbo V8, to 500 horsepower, with a new ZF six-speed autobox to improve fuel economy (stop snickering, Pennyworth). Lesser models, R and RL will get a 50-hp boost to 450 hp. And in a nod to the 21st century, the new models are getting Bluetooth. Yep, it's most definitely the end of the world.

More at Dubspeed Driven

Related:
Frankfurt Premiere: Bentley Azure [internal]

Whoops, we meant special edition. At Geneva this year, Bentley plans to party like it's 1946, with two 60th anniversary models, the Diamond Series Continental GT coup-ay and Arnage saloon. The production run of the two Corniche cruisers will reflect their relative exclusivity — 400 Continentals GT and 60 Arnag s — each with mildly upgraded interiors, wheels and paint. Think of them as the perfect subjects of a BBC program titled "Please, If You Wouldn't Mind Terribly, If You Might Be So Kind As to Pimp My Conveyence, Thank You Ever So Much."

[via MPH]

Related:
Frankfurt Premiere: Bentley Azure [internal]