A CLASSIC engine written off by Rolls-Royce has made an underbonnet comeback as part of dramatic changes to upgrade the Bentley Arnage. The revered 6.75-litre V8 unit - dropped by the former Vickers plc-owned car firm in favour of a smaller, more economical powerplant from the BMW 740 - lies at the heart of a remarkable makeover set in motion only weeks after the Crewe manufacturer became part of the Volkswagen Group.

Rumours of changes to the sports limousine were confirmed by group chairman Ferdinand Piech at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. 'We have tested every last nut and bolt of the Arnage and the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph. As a result, we have been able to implement a series of improvements in a very short period of time,' he said. 'The core of our activities has been concentrated on the rebirth of Bentley Motors and making the Arnage British again.We are building the engine at Crewe to give Bentley customers what they want - nearly unlimited torque and power.'