Bentley Arnage I 6.8 V8 (405 Hp)


Overall Rating

7.5 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 4.5 / 5
Value 3.0 / 5
Performance 4.5 / 5
Comfort 5.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Bentley Arnage:

The Bentley Arnage is a full-size luxury car manufactured by Bentley Motors in Crewe, England, from 1998 to 2009. The Arnage and its Rolls-Royce-branded sibling, the Silver Seraph, were introduced in the spring of 1998. They were the first entirely new designs for the two marques since 1980.
In September 2008, Bentley announced that production of the model would end during 2009. A replacement model, the Bentley Mulsanne was launched in August 2009 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Following an uplift in sales for all of Rolls-Royce, and a resurgence of the Bentley marque, the then-owner, Vickers, set about developing a new model to replace the derivatives of the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit/Bentley Mulsanne which it had been selling since 1980. In a complete switch from tradition, these new cars would have engines provided by a third-party vendor, and bodies built at the Crewe factory....(Read more on Wikipedia)

I Overview:

Bentley Arnage (I). With 830 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. At around 2520 kg, it’s on the heavier side. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is excellent (0–100 km/h in 6 s). The top speed reaches 249 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The Bentley Arnage I was not subjected to Euro NCAP crash testing, which is common for ultra-luxury vehicles of its era. However, its substantial kerb weight and robust construction likely provided a high degree of passive safety.

6.8 V8 (405 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 5 stars

Performance Verdict

A true powerhouse, the 6.8L 'Red Label' V8 delivers immense, effortless torque from low RPMs (830 Nm @ 2150 rpm), providing classic Bentley surge and impressive acceleration (6 seconds 0-100 km/h) for its size. It's a traditional, characterful engine.

Fuel Economy

As expected for a large, turbocharged V8 from this era, fuel economy is a significant drawback, with high consumption figures making it expensive to run and environmentally impactful.

Best Use Case: Long-distance highway cruising and commanding presence, ideal for those who prioritize traditional Bentley power, a rich exhaust note, and ultimate luxury.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Unrivaled luxury and craftsmanship
  • • Powerful and characterful V8 engines
  • • Timeless, elegant design
  • • Exceptional ride comfort and refinement
  • • Strong road presence and heritage

Cons:

  • • Very poor fuel economy across all engines
  • • High maintenance and running costs
  • • Large size can be cumbersome in urban environments
  • • Complex electronics can be problematic with age
  • • Significant depreciation from new value

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(I: 1998 - 2002).

General:
Brand:Bentley
Model:Arnage
Generation:I
Modification (Engine):6.8 V8 (405 Hp)
Start of production:1999
End of production:2002
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:405 Hp @ 4000 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:60 Hp/l [Same length.]
Torque:830 Nm @ 2150 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:L410MY2Y More details about the engine L410MY2Y
Engine displacement:6750
Number of cylinders:8
Engine configuration:V-engine
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Turbocharger, Intercooler
Engine oil capacity:9.4 l
Coolant:19 l
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Compression ratio:8:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:6 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:6 sec
Maximum speed:249 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:6.2 kg/Hp, 160.7 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:3 kg/Nm, 329.4 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:5.7 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:2520
Max. weight:2970
Max load:450
Trunk (boot) space - maximum:374 l
Fuel tank capacity:100 l
Size:
Length:5390 mm mm [Same length.]
Width:1930 mm mm [Same width.]
Height:1515 mm mm [Same height.]
Wheelbase:3116 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:1608 mm
Rear (Back) track:1608 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeAutomatic
Front brakesDisc
Rear brakesDisc
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Tires size255/50 R18W
Front suspensionCoil spring
Rear suspensionCoil spring

What’s the best feature of the Bentley Arnage? Tell us in the comments!