Bentley will be starting production of the next generation model by next year but has confirmed that the car will be taking spotlight in the 2009 Pebble Beach motor show this coming August.

The new model will have a higher tag price compared to its current version. Some are speculating that it might be positioned in a higher bracket of the market. The replacement Arnage might meet head on with the Phantom of Rolls Royce while the latter is sending out the Ghost to challenge the Flying Spur of the Bentley Continental line.

How the car will be called has not been revealed but executives from Bentley promised that it will soon be known this summer. The price of the vehicle will also be in accordance to the exclusivity of the car.

The replacement to the Arnage is taking form under the code name Project Kimberly and is said to derive the car from the modified modular platform of the Audi used for making the A4 to the A8. The engine however will come from the Bentley mindset with a V8 powerplant coupled with an automatic 8-speed gearbox.

There are reports that the replacement for the Arnage T is on the drawing boards but it has been confirmed that it will not sport the engine of the Veyron. Most likely it will follow the line of how Bentley plans to produce the new Continental.

Bentley’s sales are down by 20% in 2008 with estimates of only 8000 sales compared to 10014 cars in 2007.

The car manufacturer has made cuts in production this year. Further decrease might be ordered because of the decline in sales. The workforce of the company was asked to only work 3 days per week. The plant’s plan to decrease production further by 15% brings no good news to their workers.

Aside from the economy, experts point to the market trends where buyers opt for more environmental friendly vehicles. Most Bentley models are averaging 11-12 mpg.

Bentley officials eye the downtrend to persist until 2009. They are hopeful that 2010 will give a better picture for the automotive industry.

The 2009 models expected to help boost the sales are the Bentley Arnage, Azure, Flying Spur, Continental GT, and Continental GTC.

The Bentley Arnage was developed with a 6.75L V8 engine with an output of 500 horsepower. The Azure range was in hiatus from 2002 but returned to the spotlight last 2007 with extra options like the 16 spoke painted or polished 20 inch wheels.

The Continental GT is the first all wheel drive Bentley model. The GTC of the Continental range was updated to have added features and options as upgrade to its GT predecessor.