The 2000 Bentley Arnage Red Label marked a pivotal shift for Bentley, born out of customer dissatisfaction with the original Arnage BMW engine. Responding to this, Bentley independently developed their own power plant, generating a substantial 405 horsepower, which was a lot for 2000 in luxury sedan, a 61-horsepower gain over BMW's 4.4-liter engine. The Arnage Red Label also featured a revised design, both inside and out, signifying the beginning of Volkswagen's influence on the brand following their full acquisition of Bentley in 2003, a year after BMW's departure. Was the return of a Bentley engine enough to make the Arnage buy-worthy? This 2000 Bentley Arnage Red Label Review has the answer to that and much more.
After the Bentley Arnage reveal, it wasn't well accepted considering Bentley's ties with BMW, which co-owned the British manufacturer with Volkswagen. Purists and long-standing customers of the brand disapproved of BMW's power plant, which prompted Bentley to make a change by introducing their version of the six-and-a-three-quarter V8 engine. As a result, newer variants of the Bentley Arnage were born, including the Red Label, which was unveiled in October 1999. Its debut had buyers skipping the Arnage Green Label, which Bentley had unveiled earlier that year, with the same 4.4-liter BMW engine as the original Arnage, an attribute that contributed to its low sales and, hence, very low production numbers. One common feature between the two is that Bentley added stiffer body shells and larger brakes to handle the extra power and weight, especially in the Arnage Red Label. Bentley went on revising the Arnage Red Label with minor tweaks in the interior and exterior but mostly indistinguishable from the 1999 Bentley Arnage. Production lasted from 2000 until 2002 at Bentley's plant in Crewe, England, which saw 2,273 examples through its lines, making the Arnage Red Label the most produced Bentley Arnage.
Bentley knew that they had to do something since one of the major complaints about the 1999 Bentley Arnage was that, according to Car and Driver, it lacked the massive and so easy torque of the old Bentley Turbo R. Access to Volkswagen's development labs resulted in a 6.75-liter turbocharged V8 which put out 405 horsepower and 616 lb.ft a dramatic leap from the 4.4-liter engine's 450 lb.ft. However, the 2000 Bentley Arnage Red label was still rear-wheel-drive and retained the GM 4-speed transmission from the first Arnage. Despite the weight increase to 5,556 pounds, 0-60 mph was measured at 5.9 seconds, and top speed was measured at 155 mph. Finally, Bentley had an engine that satisfied their customers' thirst for power.
Inside, the Bentley Arnage Red Label retained a lavish use of premium leather upholstery, polished wood, and chrome trims, creating an ambiance defining automotive luxury. Leather occupies most of the interior, being on the seats and every touch surface, and where there's no leather, you're likely to find wood, which adds a sense of warmth and timeless elegance. The chrome bits, mainly used on the controls on the dashboard and center console, add a tactile and luxurious feel to the touch, enhancing the premium atmosphere within the cabin. To improve rear legroom in the Bentley Arnage Red Label, Bentley redesigned the front seats with higher, slanted backs and repositioned them slightly forward. Seating capacity technically ranged from four to five depending on the chosen rear seat configuration, but finding an example with a bench rear seat is rare.
The 2000 Bentley Arnage Red Label's design saw minimal alterations, preserving the familiar, seamless contours that were slowly becoming synonymous with the Bentley Arnage lineage. The only differences are larger wheels, clear turn signals, and red-colored Bentley emblems, hence the "Red Label" name, which refers to the background of the Bentley Flying B hood ornament. In the Bentley lineage, red has traditionally been used for sporting models, which the Arnage Red Label is compared to previous models. Behind the wheels, you'll also notice the larger brakes if you're familiar with the Arnage model lineup. These were upgraded to account for the Bentley Arnage Red Label's extra weight from the engine. Lastly, although not visible, the headlight and turn signal covers were changed from glass to plastic.
The 21st century ushered in a wave of automotive innovation, yet manufacturers still relied heavily on the technological advancements of their time. However, this didn't hinder the creation of excellent vehicles showcasing the brilliance of simple, reliable technology. One of the Bentley Arnage Red Label's most intriguing features, for its time, is the electronically controllable suspension that gave it a performance edge over its competitors. Though performance was not a priority, the suspension controls enabled drivers to switch from a wafting ride to a more engaging and responsive ride, demonstrating elegance and agility. As parking sensors gained widespread adoption, Bentley was quick to include them as a standard feature in the Bentley Arnage Red label. Given its substantial wheelbase, this technology proved particularly valuable, especially when urban parking. To top it off, Bentley installed a new Alpine pop-up navigation system, which enhanced functionality and injected a touch of modern flair inside the cabin.
There's something about classic luxury sedans that undeniably makes them more attractive. For roughly $25,000, the Bentley Arnage Red Label is one of the best you can get your hands on, shining as a prime example, and with the 6.75 liter V8 powering it, you need not worry about being underpowered or reliability issues which the BMW powerplant in the 1999 Bentley Arnage tends to have. If you're a connoisseur of classic luxury, Exotic Car Trader could be your pathway to the perfect Bentley Arnage Red Label. And if your tastes change, we offer a diverse selection of other Bentley listings perfect for satisfying your passion for Bentleys.
So, is the 2000 Bentley Arnage Red Label worth buying? Absolutely. If the allure of classic luxury sedans never seems to escape your mind, it's a buy-worthy option, especially considering the story behind it. Beyond its history, the Bentley Arnage Red Label has a timeless design, and its craftsmanship will never cease to amaze even when compared to today's offerings. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! The Bentley Arnage Red Label signifies a pivotal moment when Bentley listened to its dedicated clientele and revived its iconic V8. It also marked the beginning of Volkswagen's influence on Bentley, which pointed the British automaker towards an evolution that has produced some of the best cars of the 21st century.
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