Bentley Arnage Red Label Bentley launched the Arnage in April 1998 under the ownership of Vickers plc, mere months before the company became part of the Volkswagen Group. The Arnage Red Label, announced for the 2000 model year, was therefore the first Bentley to bear the results of a new...
Bentley Arnage
1998 - 2010
The Bentley Arnage, produced from 1998 to 2010, was a full-size luxury sedan known for its opulent interior, powerful performance, and classic design. The Arnage offered various engine options throughout its production, including V8 and V12 variants with power ranging from 335 to 530 horsepower. Featuring classic Bentley styling with subtle modern touches, the Arnage exuded a timeless and sophisticated appearance.
Overview / Model & Variant List / Models In-Depth / Image Gallery / More Updates
Overview
The Bentley Arnage is a luxury sedan that was produced by Bentley Motors from 1998 to 2009. It marked a significant turning point for Bentley, as it was the first model introduced after Volkswagen AG took over the company in 1998. The Arnage, named after a corner at the Le Mans racing circuit, showcased Bentley's commitment to blending traditional luxury with contemporary performance.
The Bentley Arnage was notable for its classic yet imposing design, featuring the distinctive Bentley grille and large, elegant proportions that conveyed both luxury and presence. The interior of the Arnage lived up to Bentley's reputation for opulence, with extensive use of high-quality leather, wood veneers, and other luxurious materials, offering unparalleled comfort and a sense of occasion to every journey.
Initially, the Arnage was launched with a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter V8 engine, equipped with twin turbochargers. This choice was somewhat controversial among purists but demonstrated Bentley's aim to modernize its offerings with more technologically advanced powertrains. However, in response to customer demand and as a nod to Bentley's heritage, the company later reintroduced a version of its traditional 6.75-liter V8 engine, starting with the Arnage Red Label in 1999. This engine, significantly updated for the Arnage, provided the effortless power and torque that Bentley owners had come to expect.
Over its production run, the Arnage was offered in several different models, each tailored to different aspects of luxury and performance. The Arnage Red Label focused on comfort and traditional Bentley values with the 6.75-liter engine. The Arnage T, introduced in 2002, was billed as the most powerful Bentley sedan at the time, with a more performance-oriented setup. The Arnage R and the later Arnage RL (a long-wheelbase version) offered a blend of performance and luxury, with the RL providing additional rear-seat space for enhanced comfort.
The Bentley Arnage enjoyed a production run of over a decade, during which it was celebrated for its blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern performance. It played a crucial role in revitalizing the Bentley brand, setting the stage for future models like the Continental GT and the Mulsanne. The Arnage is remembered fondly by enthusiasts and collectors for its grandeur, performance, and as a symbol of Bentley's resurgence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Its discontinuation in 2009 marked the end of an era for Bentley, with the Mulsanne succeeding it as the flagship sedan in Bentley's lineup.
The Basics
Production: 1998–2010
Model Years: 1999–2010
Body style: 4-door saloon/sedan
Engine: 4.4 L BMW M62 twin-turbo V8 (1998–2000)
Engine: 6.75 L L-series turbo/twin-turbo V8 (1999–2006)
Engine: 6.75 L L-series twin-turbo V8 (2006–2009)
Transmission: 4-speed GM 4L80-E automatic (1999–2006)
Transmission: 5-speed ZF 5HP30 automatic (1998–2000)
Transmission: 6-speed ZF 6HP-26 automatic (2006–2010)
"The Arnage is a stunningly beautiful car with a powerful engine and a luxurious interior, but its price tag is stratospheric."
Car and Driver (2005)
Bentley Arnage Models & Derivatives
Featuring classic Bentley styling with subtle modern touches, the Arnage exuded a timeless and sophisticated appearance. Over its production run, the Arnage was offered in several different models, each tailored to different aspects of luxury and performance.
Bentley Arnage
Introduced in 1998 the Arnage, named after a corner at the famous Le Mans racing circuit, became Bentley’s best-selling model. Initially powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 engine, the Arnage boasted impressive performance and refinement. In 1999 this Arnage became known as the Arnage Green Label, when the range was expanded to include the popular Arnage Red Label derivative, powered by Bentley’s 6.75 litre turbocharged V8 engine.
Bentley Arnage R
In 2002, Bentley updated the Red Label as the series two Arnage R. This model was launched to contrast the Arnage T, which was developed to be a more sporty variant. The Arnage R features two Garrett T3 turbochargers fitted to the engine as with the RL.The goal according to Bentley was about making every journey a unique experience of power, luxury and control. From the flawless leather of the seats to the computer-controlled six-speed gear box, driver and passengers sit in an environment of stunning aesthetics and fingertip control. Power comes from a twin-turbo 6.75 litre V8 engine, with 400bhp and a 0-60mph time of 5.9 seconds and onto a top speed of 155mph.
Bentley Arnage RL
Launched in 2001, the Arnage RL is the culmination of world-class coachbuilding that spans generations. It is a car that takes personalisation to a new level, where the vehicle is a canvas on which you can paint your vision. With its extended wheelbase, 2 inches (50mm) to the front and 8 inches (200mm) to the rear compartment, the RL retains the classic Arnage profile whilst offering even more palatial comfort for the passengers. The turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 engine is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Bentley Arnage T
The Arnage T, also from 2002, was claimed to be the most powerful roadgoing Bentley at its launch at the Detroit Motor Show. It delivers silent luxury that contrasts sharply with the power available underneath your right foot. Surrounded by sublime handcrafted excellence, it’s easy to forget the potency that lies ahead of you.
6.75 litres of energy contained in a masterful V8 engine, supported by a state-of-the-art computer controlled four-speed gearbox and countless electronic systems guiding every movement. An Electronic Stability Programme for spirited handling with no compromise to stability or safety. Technology that lives for the road without sacrificing a single moment of your driving experience.
Bentley Arnage Final Series
From its debut in 1998 the Arnage conveyed an air of sophisticated understatement as the four-door flagship of the Bentley range. Over the next decade the car experienced a period of constant refinement to its body, design, chassis and powertrain to maintain its class-leading position in the high luxury market.
To celebrate 10 years of the Arnage, 50 years of its mighty V8 engine and 90 years of the marque, Bentley Motors launched Bentley Arnage Final Series. This model featured a unique specification, combining the performance of the 500 bhp Arnage T with the refinement of the Arnage R and design elements from the Brooklands coupe, for the ultimate expression of British luxury and effortless power in a four-door saloon – a grand finale, for the grandest of Bentleys, in an exclusive run of only 150 cars.
Our Favorite Bentley Arnage Images
"The Arnage is a true Bentley, offering classic design, effortless performance, and a comfortable and refined driving experience."
Autocar (2007)
