The complete equipment that was expected by clients of motor cars of this calibre had to include all those features which reflected the reality of that world in which these cars would be employed. A world in which for example quite a few shady elements were keen to steal a valuable item. An individually programmable multi-function centre-lock and immobilisation system was combined with sensors to detect ‘smash & grab’ attacks to any of the cars glass areas. There was a device, too, to trigger alarm if the system detected action that lead to the conclusion the car was illegally to be loaded onto a transporter. Two limited access keys allowed to operate the car e.g. for valet parking or during service and maintenance but didn’t permit full access. Customers in the UK could decide upon NavTrak ADR (Automatic Driver Recognition) that provided 24 hour service for pro-active stolen car alert, auto car location and tracking service Europe-wide.

Bentley had always been highly sophisticated and truly powerful motor cars – but during previous years their safety features had not always been of the most advanced standard. However such a statement couldn’t be repeated as regards the Bentley Arnage T. A ‘State of the Art’ electronic stability programme (ESP) within fractions of a second reacted to optimize brakes’ and engine’s operation to enhance safety. This was achieved by communicating electronic control units of 

• 4-channel antilock braking system (ABS) that avoided the locking of the wheels when brakes were applied in emergency and thus did guarantee the front wheels remained steerable
•  electronic brake pressure distribution (EBD) that avoided – a calculation of weight distribution included – too much brake power being supplied to the rear wheels
• engine drag torque control (MSR), that avoided any locking of the rear wheels during the engine’s rpm being reduced if there was any likelihood that might happen e.g. on the automatic gearbox shifting just that moment into a different gear
• automatic slip regulation (ASR), a traction control system that operated via commands to the brake system and to the engine controller
• hydraulic brake assist (HBA) that minimized the distance to stop by monitoring the driver’s reaction via brake pedal operation
• aquaplane detection that recognized anomalies caused by heavy rain.

Scenarios of “worst case” had been taken into consideration, of course, by the monocoque body having been designed with energy-absorbing portions at front, rear and both sides; in addition the doors had been strengthened by anti-intrusion bars. Beside seat belts with front-seat belt pre-tensioners and full sized driver and front passenger airbags there were side impact air curtain and thorax airbag systems for front and rear occupants. An impact detection sensor did interrupt petrol supply immediately and automatically the doors were no longer locked and a device on the steering column was triggered, too.