Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

I'll take the Bentley, Jeeves

The Phantoms and the Maybachs may be the new millionaire cars, but the Arnage started it all, says RISHAD SAAM METHA

The Titanic lies 11 km under the surface of the Atlantic. And so, it would a be a tall order to visit it to get a glimpse of the preferred pompous and pampered way the world's richest traditionally travelled. For an almost similar experience, step into the Bentley Arnage RL. The RL, officially called the Arnage RL by Mulliner (Rolls-Royce and Bentley's old coach-builders), is the bigger, more exclusive brother to the Arnage R made for those who love the charm and tally-ho Britishness of Bentley, but were tempted by the larger Rolls-Royce Phantom and Maybach 62.

Long story

If the Arnage R was big and imposing, then the RL with its extra 25 mm of legroom, and a total length of 5.64 metres is larger and more dominating. It's not as long as the RR Phantom or the Maybach, but still long and wide enough to have a kindergarten race around. Its ocean liner dimensions and crane baulking weight notwithstanding, this lounge on wheels is surprisingly agile. The steering is light and precise with a nice, linear feel, and gives the car a sporty feel, if that can be possible in such a stately car.

And oh boy, is it responsive! There's not a nanosecond of hesitation when you flex your right ankle - this object of opulence lunges forward eagerly. By the time you look down at the speedo, it's already hovering around the 80kph mark. The 6.75-litre with its twin Garret turbochargers is phenomenally responsive. However, driving the Arnage RL in boy-racer mode feels terribly undignified, much like attending high tea in a pair of shorts and a singlet. The RL is meant to drift off and drift in, with the least bit of inertia acting on its esteemed passenger as the Arnage soaks up the road in an uncannily hushed way. The large body refusing to flex or creak and only the harshest of potholes send a muffled judder through the cabin.

Home and office

But the Bentley Arnage RL is really meant to be enjoyed in the back seat which is where you realise why this car costs as much as an expensive apartment in urban India. Where Mercs and BMWs make do with injection-moulded plastic, the Arnage offers lovingly knurled chrome. In fact, the main difference between the Arnage and lesser luxury cars is that everything inside feels like it has been painstakingly handcrafted and not manufactured by faceless robots or machines.

And the legroom experience is the kind that will make a basketball player smile. Even with legs outstretched, a 6-footer couldn't touch the rear of the front seat. But for all this space, it's designed to seat only two at the back.

You can squeeze a third in the middle but then that would be a taxi - not Bentley. You couldn't use the fat armrest or easily operate the climate control buttons in the centre. And where would you put your laptop?

PUCCA SAHIB Stately and dignified outside, plush and sybaritic inside, but with a beast of a twin-turbo motor for muscle

But just a sec - you don't need a laptop. The RL built by Mulliner can be as good as your office, thanks to a computing system flaunting specs of a 1 GHz Pentium processor, a 20 GB hard drive, an infra-red keyboard and USB ports. A walnut-veneer writing table even flips down from behind the front seat. Once you're done with work and are in relaxing mode, the Arnage RL can morph into your living room too.

There are two 13-inch screens, aeroplane-style in the front seatback, and a DVD-changer in the boot. Sound is looked after by Alpine and CDs or MP3s pipe music through twin amps to JBL speakers.

It seems a little odd calling all this gorgeousness a car, but then Bentley builds them with character and individuality is custom-made to the customer's imagination and the size of his wallet.

Yes, it's now available in India officially and the Arnage RL will be sold through Exclusive Motors' outlets only, and in very limited numbers. At Rs 2.58 crore it's a steep deal but think of it as a very expensive painting you can be part of and show around on the streets.

TECHNICAL DATA

BENTLEY ARNAGE RL

How much?
Rs 2.65 crore (ex-showroom, Mumbai)
How big?
Length: 5,640 mm
Width: 2,125 mm
Height: 1,515 mm
Kerb weight: 2,655 kg
Wheelbase: 3,366 mm Engine 6750cc, petrol, 8 cylinders in vee
Max power: 400 bhp
Max torque: 85.1kgm
Gearbox
Four-speed automatic
Tyres
255/45 ZR 19

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail