The 2004 Bentley Arnage R is the last production year for the first generation which came out back in 1998. Over the years, the Arnage R saw many changes and even a complete drivetrain swap with the 2004 Arnage R, alongside the Arnage T being the most advanced one with the original Bentley 6.75 liter V8 engine. The big V8 powertrain in the 2004 Arnage R has two turbochargers, a modern ECU system, and many chassis and suspension upgrades. Moreover, the 2004 Arnage R received upgraded modern wheels to help keep it attractive during its final year of production. The 2004 Arnage R is also one of the biggest factory sleepers on the road today as it doesn't look nearly as aggressive as modern luxury sedans do yet it packs some impressive punch even by today’s standards. But before going into more detail on just how special the criminally underrated Arnage R is, check if any are available for sale here at Exotic Car Trader in case you are looking to add one to your collection.
Although the 2004 Arnage R looks somewhat different from the original Arnage, it's still much the same car underneath. In 2002, when the first Arnage R came out, it was a direct replacement for the Arnage Red Label which was the first Arnage to go back to the original Bentley V8. And while the Arnage got a new badge, the engine still had the same power output which remained unchanged even in 2004. The new Arnage R did get some suspension tweaks here and there and a new ECU with improved engine management programming, but it didn't get nearly as many improvements as the Arnage T. Still, that doesn't mean that's a bad thing. The Arnage T is made to be the most powerful and fastest Arnage available while the R is meant to be more laid back which offers a conventional Bentley experience. The 2004 Arnage R had smaller wheels, taller tires, and softer suspension compared to the T, but still much the same as the old Red Label. The wheel designs were much more modern, however, and the R got the more aggressive front bumper from the more powerful T model.
The exterior of the 2004 Bentley Arnage R is still the same basic design as the original from 1998. Although there were a few facelifts over the years, none of them changed the design in any notable way. That said, the 2004 Arnage R did see the most changes as the model was on its last legs at the time and Bentley had to improve it enough to keep buyers interested before the new Arnage came out. The most notable change was the five-spoke, two-piece wheels which improved the overall looks substantially. The front bumper was missing the fog lamps as seen on the T, but that just kept the exterior looking even classier. Chrome exterior trim and a chrome front grille came on all models without an optional black or any other finish. But again, the Arnage came out at a time when aggressive and flashy looks were not the norm for cars of its stature. And that's what makes the 2004 Arnage R so refreshing to see on the road today. The two-piece wheels and the big front grille reveal that you are looking at something special and fast, but at the same time, it easily blends in with regular traffic.
Even though big infotainment screens were becoming very popular in the early 2000s, especially in big luxury sedans, the 2004 Arnage R got none of that. Once you sit in an Arnage R after driving a modern car, it might as well be from the eighties instead of 2004. But now, twenty years later, that's a good thing. Even if the Arnage R did get some sort of infotainment, it would be useless today and would only make the rest of the interior look cheap and old. Instead, the Arnage R gets a simple CD player, and even that is hidden behind a lid, good. But if we overlook the infotainment, the Arnage R interior looks absolutely amazing even when compared to modern luxury sedans. Literally, everything inside is either covered by the finest leather available or by real wood. The center console is dominated by five small gauges, something all car enthusiasts dream of when it doesn’t look tacky. And the rear passengers get some toys as well like their own vents, heated seats, tables, and power adjustable seats. Some examples even have computers, fax machines, and flat screens instead integrated into the back of the front seats, all very high-tech back then, and infinitely cool today.
When the first Bentley Arnage came out it used a BMW sourced, 4.4 V8 with an extra two turbochargers. The result was 350 horsepower from an engine that was substantially lighter than the giant 6.75-liter Bentley unit. However, that had changed later because of ownership changes so Bentley switched back to the 6.75 liter V8 and then it slapped two turbochargers to that once the Arnage R came out in 2002. The new engine pushed 400 horsepower and even more impressively, 616 lb-ft of torque (840 Nm). That was enough to propel the 2.5-ton Arnage to 60 in just over six seconds. While that doesn't sound that impressive today, it certainly was back then. But even today, one wouldn't call the Arnage R a particularly slow car. The top speed is also sufficient at a limited 155 mph. Apart from that, the Arnage R got bigger brakes compared to the older 4.4 model, but even so, the extra weight of the 6.75 V8 meant it had slightly worse braking performance. As far as handling goes, the Arnage R is certainly nicer to drive than the old Red Label, but it definitely falls short of the Arnage T which has many more suspension modifications.
Back when it was new in 2004, the Arnage R cost around $240,000 which, adjusted for inflation, equates to $390,000 in today's money. That's the price of a new Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge. Today, however, you can easily find an Arnage R with less than 50,000 miles for under $30,000. That's right, you can buy a 2.5-ton, 400-horsepower pinnacle of luxury for the same price as a used Honda Civic with the same miles. That said, customizing a Bentley back then was just as popular as today so prices do vary a lot depending on materials used and extra equipment, but no Bentley Arnage R will lack anything you might need or feel cheap inside. That said, the cost of running a Bentley is a different matter we won't go into. But if you are brave enough to buy one, you can find a few examples at Exotic Car Trader and we can help you with every step of the buying process.
Ultimately, the Bentley Arnage R was one of the most expensive luxury cars you could buy back in 2004. While depreciation is the biggest enemy of expensive sedans, the Bentley Arnage R seems to be especially hit by it considering how much it cost when it was new. But that just means it's worth every penny today with all the comfort and sheer power you are getting, provided you don't mind astronomical maintenance bills. Unfortunately, Exotic Car Trader can’t help you with those, but it can help you get the best possible example of an Arnage R at the best possible price. At the same time, Exotic Car Trader handles everything for you including escrow services, transport, and all the paperwork. The same goes if you are trying to sell your current luxury vehicle. With Exotic Car Trader, the entire process of both buying and selling a car becomes as convenient as it can possibly get.
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