Bentley teaser

Forgive us if you're expecting a full blown picture of Bentley's new flagship model, as Bentley has only revealed a tiny portion of the car that will replace its Arnage in 2010. With the Arnage being pensioned off, the British luxury car maker needs a new range-topping model above its Continental models. The 'new grand Bentley', which the firm describes as 'a fusion of extremes' and 'the epitome of Bentley', is that car. A teaser photograph and video - available at www.newgrandbentley.com - unveils just a tiny part of the new car's bonnet and flying winged-B bonnet badge.

Technical details are similarly scant, but if it follows Bentley tradition then the flagship model should be powered by a V8 engine rather than the VW-sourced W12 unit that features in the Continental model line-up. There have been rumours of a 1,000hp Bugatti W16-engined prototype being tested by Bentley and Bugatti is said to be keen to find another home for its mighty Veyron-powering quad-turbo 16-cylinder engine. Despite Volkswagen's parentage of both marques, insiders suggest that Bentley's range-topper is a completely Crewe-produced car, borrowing little from the VW parts bin.

Bentley has already made a commitment to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, though it has said in the past that it's not looking at diesel or hybrid powertrains - even though it has access to VW and Audi's latest fuel-saving technology. Instead Bentley's focus is likely to be on weight saving and finessing existing technologies in its bid to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions. Like the outgoing Arnage, supreme luxury and individual personalisation will be key to its appeal, Bentley's Mulliner department certain to offer the car in a variety of differing lengths and specifications for the firm's most wealthy and exacting clients.

Timings for the car's launch are as vague as the technical details, though Bentley is expected to show a near-production representation later this summer, with production-ready models due mid to late 2010. Prices will be in the same 'if you have to ask' sphere as the Arnage, and it is highly likely that Bentley's most favoured customers will have already secured their place at the front of the queue for the new car.

Kyle Fortune