BENTLEY ARNAGE

TESTED 8.7.98

During a tumultuous period for Bentley, when it was owned by VW but used BMW engines, the firm delivered its most accomplished model to date. The 4.4-litre V8 from BMW’S 740i in the Arnage had a pair of Cosworth-engineered Garrett turbos, adding 64bhp. A more aggressive design differentiated the Arnage externally from its £10k-pricier Rolls-royce Silver Seraph sibling, as did a restyled cabin with extra gauges and bespoke seats, although some BMW switchgear remained. Performance was slightly improved over the more powerful but 146kg-heavier Bentley Turbo RT, although the brakes felt spongy and faded badly. The five-speed automatic transmission was excellent, though, kicking down smoothly but with gusto in Sport mode. Turbo lag was minimal as revs rose towards a full-blown roar. The engine’s cruising refinement was top-notch, but wind noise was a let-down. Double wishbones all round and adaptive damping yielded good body control, while the ride disappointed over broken urban surfaces only. Steering weighted up nicely with cornering force, and improved body stiffness over the RT was a leap forward. FOR Huge performance, build quality, smooth gearchange AGAINST Very thirsty, rear leg room, price versus an S-class

FACTFILE

Price £145,000 Engine V8, 4398cc, twinturbocharged, petrol Power 350bhp at 5500rpm Torque 413lb ft at 2500-4200rpm 0-60mph 6.3sec 0-100mph 15.9sec Standing quarter 14.9sec, 96mph Top speed 150mph Economy 13.7mpg

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT…

Bentley renamed the short-lived 4.4-litre car the Arnage Green Label, and reintroduced the 6.75-litre V8, in 400bhp tune, in 1999’s Red Label. LWB versions followed and power rose over the years, peaking at 500bhp before the Arnage bowed out in 2009. Its role was taken up by the Mulsanne, produced from 2010 to 2020. Today’s equivalent model is the Flying Spur.