When it comes to luxury on wheels, few vehicles can surpass the elegance of a sedan, and what sedan looks better than a Bentley Arnage? The Bentley Arnage variants were introduced in the automotive industry from 1998-2010 as full-size luxury cars that packed a serious punch as well. The ‘Green Label’, which were produced from 1998-2000 represented a dependance on the British conglomerate Vickers and as such had no recognition of its own. The car was powered by a twin-charged BMW V8 engine, similar to the one present in Rolls-Royce’s Silver Seraph. At the turn of the century however, when the company was separated from Vickers and bought by Volkswagen, the release of ‘Bentley Arnage Red Label’ represented a separate identity for Bentley hence, making the release successful in the automotive industry. This independence classified a new generation of Bentleys and paved the way for the current style of luxury car production.
When the Bentley Continental was first announced back in the 1950’s, it became a stalemate for British luxury and people would travel some hundred miles to catch the glimpse of this majestic beast. However, the company was first introduced as a high-performance automobile manufacturer which indeed proved its selling point winning the Le Mans in 1924, and subsequently holding the throne for several more years. It was not until the Continental though, that people realized that Bentley’s could do luxury cars better. Arnage was produced for the first time in 1998, a year after the split between Bentley and Rolls-Royce. As a means of maintaining competition in the luxury sedan industry, Bentley, now owned by Volkswagen, faced direct competition from Rolls-Royce, owned by BMW. In response, Bentley released the Arnage. Consequently, Rolls-Royce released the Silver Seraph and despite being powered by the same company (BMW), a fierce battle began between Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
Powered by a 6.75L turbocharged V8 engine, Bentley went back to its roots of high-performance cars that once helped the company win and retain its title at the Le Mans. With the current Bentley Cars like Bentley Flying Spur V8, where the company had prioritized luxury for both the driver and the passenger. The 2002 Arnage was created to match the performance with luxury, which started a market trend from thereon, with many companies now following suit. Producing around 619 lb.-ft of torque, the Arnage was able to maintain an excellent road grip despite its heavy weight since, the company wanted to ensure the right luxurious amenities were also present in the car. Since the car’s high torque was able to balance its weight, Arnage could reach a top speed of 249 kph (155 mph) while also managing to go from 0-100 within 7 seconds. Bentley saw a huge increase in its engine capacity from the previous years’ Arnage since, now the company was making its own engines instead of being dependent on BMW’s services. Where the previous Arnage was combusting around 4.4 Liters at a time, the ‘Red Label’ was able to increase it to 6.75 Liters at a time within the same V8 engine, maximizing the torque and horsepower at the same time. When the engine mechanics became this complicated, the company intended to keep the transmission as simple as possible for the discerning luxury car buyers. Where a 4-speed automatic transmission may not only seem basic but boring as well, especially for a luxury or sports car enthusiast, it suited perfectly for a luxury/performance car like Arnage. A 4-speed automatic transmission would not only be proven durable during a long-period of ownership but, it also allowed a seamless gear change which beautifully complimented the super-stable suspension of the Arnage.
The previous built models were housing much less torque and hence, much less firepower. This meant that the older bodies would struggle maintaining balance when a twin-turbo 6.75 Liter engine would be used to move the car. The style of the 2002 Arnage was pretty similar to the original versions, with the company commemorating the signature Bentley grill and the large 18-inch tire with the ‘B’ in the center. However, the exterior and the interior of the car got an upgrade to match the engine independence. The solid outdoor body was made of steel and composite materials, which meant that the car was indeed heavy, yet another reason to compliment the engine for making such a heavy car accelerate to 100 kph within 7 seconds. Customers expect fine craftsmanship from luxury car companies, given that these beasts cost upwards of $200,000. However, the real craftsmanship within the 2002 Arnage was not the Leather Upholstery or the Wood Veneer, instead the timeless luxury presented by the company through its advanced technology. While the company wasn’t the first to introduce driver-assistance features, it did set a benchmark in 2002 with parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, ABS and air-suspension, with automatic adjustments according to the terrain.
Bentleys, Rolls-Royce and pretty much every luxury ever is produced to last a lifetime, as the premium price paid for it has to be justified. The 2002 Arnage was way ahead of its time with state-of-the-art technology and excellent road grip, making it a suitable car for today’s conditions provided the car has been maintained over the years. While Bentley cars may initially sell themselves, questions about their credibility often arise as they age. Therefore, inspections and regular maintenance are needed to ensure that the car remains up to the current market standards. One can purchase a Arnage in good condition from $30,000 to $35,000.
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