The Bentley Arnage Green Label is a rare icon manufactured with the perfect blend of British luxury and German engineering. It is a luxury sedan powered by a BMW 4.4-liter V8 engine hidden under the vehicle's impressive body aimed to deliver a highly refined performance. To explain so, its remarkable 360 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm speaks for itself. The growl is gradual, and as you draw the pedal further, it soars at 240 kilometers per hour. What makes it unusual is that only seven units were produced, all featuring a left-hand drive configuration. The limited production was precisely the original plan, but the relationship between Volkswagen, the owner of Bentley Motors, and BMW eventually led to the demise of the Green Label production. That said, the cross of such automotive giants makes it a one-of-a-kind vehicle of the industry – even though its market value has decreased in 20 years. However, it's all in good light, and currently, Arnage Green still makes up for the perfect all-luxury purchase at an average price as low as $30,000. Buying one would be good, but only if you could get your hands on this scarce masterpiece.
Introduced in 1998 with its sibling Rolls Royce Silver Seraph, the luxury sedan Arnage was a Bentley Motors Production, which was later renamed the Arnage Green Label for the 2000 model. And this one comes with a hint of dramatic history. Replacing its predecessor, the Bentley Turbo saloon, its production took place in Crewe from 1998 to 2009, and it was meant to remain an England-only variant of the series. The original Arnage was powered by BMW's 4.4 liter V8 engine, similar to that of the BMW M62, along with Cosworth-engineered twin-turbochargers. Opting for a third-party engine was a new concept in the Bentley's car lineage. However, going through some tough times, the manufacturer decided to fit engines from BMW instead of developing their updated 6.75-liter Rolls V-8. At that moment, the idea was sound. British luxury getting their moment with German technology was an irresistible treat for many English enthusiasts. However, during this time, these luxury brands weren't precisely on the same page, which doomed the production of Green Label itself. What stirred was that Volkswagen, which owned Bentley Motors, underwent a complicated agreement with BMW regarding the acquisition of Rolls Royce. According to this, Volkswagen bought the Rolls company, but the rights to the name and logo were given to BMW only. This meant that primarily, Volkswagen only owned Bentley, and their use of BMW engines ended up being more controversial than delightful. Ultimately, they had no choice but to limit the production of Green Label. This led to the birth of Red Label, which utilized similar features except that it no longer had that BMW engine. Instead, it was befitted with Bentely's self-produced 6.7-liter V-8 engine and took over the Green Label. Despite being a short-lived variant, the rare Green Label remains a significant cross between renowned names of the automotive industry, thus making it quite popular for those who value the art above all.
Under the hood of the Bentley Arnage Green Label, the BMW-powered 4.4-liter V8 engine delivers impressive power and refinement. Cosworth-engineered twin-turbochargers generate a power-packed drive as the engine displaces 4,398 cubic centimeters. Steadily surges initially, but eventually, the power builds up to 360 hp with a 420 lb-ft torque at 2500 rpm. The 5-speed automatic transmission, along with a self-leveling suspension, promises optimal traction and agility. With this smooth gearbox, you practically own the road like a pro, not to mention the modified steering racks that minimize the movement efforts, particularly at low speeds. The self-leveling suspension supported by electro-hydraulic damping allows the car to float swiftly despite its curb weight of 2,396 kilograms. And the speed metrics don't disappoint, either. Accelerating from 0-60 mph in six and a half seconds, only building up to a top speed of 240 kilometers per hour, is outstanding. One thing that sets Green Label apart from the other Arnage variants is its braking performance for 113 to 0 km/h drop was 172 feet (52 m). Plus, the parking brakes are entirely electric, making parking convenient – especially considering the car's massive size.
Putting up its word for being a luxury sedan, the 2001 Bentley Arnage Green Label's interior is all elegance. Of course, with the exquisite seat hides, hand-polished hardwoods, and Wilton carpeting, there's hardly any more room for debate. Made from Nappa leather upholstery with 23 different colors available, you can color-contrast the seats with the interior trim in walnut, oak, bird's-eye maple, or black lacquer. While most cars offer controls in the driver's and passenger's seats to ease entry and exit, this vehicle applies a similar concept to the rear seats, giving you the maximum leg room required. Not to mention, the long wheel-base design only adds to this spaciousness. The cabin is also laid out efficiently with controls and amenities that offer ease of operation while maintaining the aesthetics. The strategic placement of organ stop parents, chrome finished switches, and five-dial instrument center dashboard configuration only adds to the interiors. With that, you also get a Standard Alpine navigation system, an onboard computer, a display screen that pops over the dashboard as desired, and a steering wheel-assisted audio control. These are some of the top contemporary features that enhance the ambiance. The climate control is also efficient, and heated seats with a plushy feel within exquisite cars indoors make the ride as comfortable as ever. The trims and woodwork of the Green Label combined showcase one of the finest British works of the automotive world.
Compared with its original predecessors, Arnage Green Label's exterior has undergone slight modifications. However, the 2001 model has a stiffer body shell. It's interesting to see that even though it's a sedan, the 5390 mm height does make it almost as tall as a small SUV. At the same time, along with larger wheels that cater to its bigger side, the wheel-base also elongated to 1608 mm. While it did make the model known for its massive beastly look, it does come with the caveat of parking cars in small spaces. The added body space gives enough room to go exquisite with the exteriors, and the English manufacturers took the opportunity hands-on. The eye-catching boxy grille in the front makes the car stand out and is perfectly sandwiched between the two pairs of lights on each side. The car's curves add to the delicacy of Arnage Green Label's exteriors that flow to the rear, giving it a rounded, tapered look along the trunk. The side mirrors were also upgraded with the power folding feature, and the frog-friendly lights also got their plastic covers as opposed to older, more fragile glass ones. Available in 27 different finishes, the model truly stands out with its sophisticated appeal.
The 2001 Bentley Arnage Red Label's technology is refined for comfort and high functionality. Being a luxury car, special attention is given to the seating equipment – the adjustable lumbar support seats with electrically adjustable functions promise a comfortable traveling experience. The excellent climate regulation pollen filter and heated seats are well adapted for the England weather, considering this model wasn't up for export. That's not all. The navigation system and the onboard computer of the Green Label indeed made it ahead of its time. Given its massive build, parking sensors and an efficient system were needed for this vehicle. And the English manufacturers were sure to deliver. The car has the best safety functions, including an alarm system and passenger airbags. The best part is its infotainment center, which includes cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, and a pop-up display screen, proving this luxury sedan is all about taking you on an enjoyable ride.
Initially, the 2001 Bentley Arnage Green Label powerfully convinced exclusive owners to spend as much as $220,000 for this rare masterpiece, being the luxury British cross-German automobile it is. However, fast forward to 20 years later, its market value has significantly dropped. You can now buy a similar model at a base average price of $30,000.
The 2001 Bentley Arnage Green Label comes from a not-so-long-ago era where the automobiles featured handcrafted interiors and the perfect blend of vintage and contemporary looks. Exotic Car Trader offers a unique platform for buying and selling automobiles, removing the inconvenience of individual sales. Each automobile posted goes through a confidential seller verification procedure to ensure credibility for buyers. Buyers benefit from the platform's straightforward costs and bundles, as well as its frictionless experience. Exotic Car Trader also provides free escrow services, trade-in and finance alternatives, and a world-class transactions team. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, we help you securely close your car deals. With a lower market value, the 2001 Bentley Arnage Green Label could be the perfect catch.
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