Bentley Arnage 'Red Label' Saloon, 2001
Bentley Arnage I
Bentley Arnage I•
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Chassis No.: SCBLC31EX1CH06186
Estimate: £18,000 - £22,000 GBP
- Fast and luxurious Grand Tourer
- Powerful 6.75 litre V8 engine
- Full service history
Emphasising its racing heritage, Bentley Motors unveiled the new Arnage in April 1998 at La Sarthe circuit, home of the Le Mans 24-Hour Race and scene of its greatest triumphs in the 1920s. Bentley, together with parent company Rolls-Royce Motors, was in collaboration with BMW at this time, and the Arnage was the first Bentley to benefit from the Munich firm's engine technology in the form of an all-new 4.4-litre 32-valve twin-turbocharged V8 power unit. However, Bentley's subsequent acquisition by Volkswagen resulted in a partial volte face, with the 'old' 6.75-litre push-rod V8 being reintroduced on some models, beginning with the Arnage Red Label in 1999.
The BMW-engined car lived on as the Green Label, while the Red Label boasted redesigned front suspension to cope with the heavier 'big block' engine, together with brakes of increased diameter. In addition, subtle alterations were made to the interior, resulting in 2" more legroom for rear seat passengers, while features that had previously been 'extras' (power-fold door mirrors, for example) were included as standard. Despite its older and simpler engine, the Red Label amply demonstrated the truth of the old saying: 'there's no substitute for cubic inches', comfortably eclipsing its more-modern sibling in the horsepower stakes, producing 420bhp to the Green Label's 350.
The larger engine's stupendous torque, available from idling speed upwards, made the Green Label's five-speed automatic transmission superfluous, so the Red Label reverted to the four-speed auto gearbox.
The Bentley Arnage Red Label offered here was manufactured in March 2001 with no modifications from standard specification. The body is finished in a very attractive Amethyst Blue, with the interior finished in Magnolia leather with contrasting dark blue piping. It is fully equipped with satellite navigation, parking sensors, electric seats, central locking, ABS braking, stereo and CD player. The Arnage is stated to have covered only 47,000 miles and accordingly is described as being in very good condition overall. It comes with a full service history, new MOT, UK V5 and sundry bills.
