Which Bentley Arnage Version Should You Buy?
The Bentley Arnage choice divides into two distinct mechanical groups. The original 1998–2002 Sedan offers either a 4.4 AT with 354 hp or a 6.8 AT with 405 hp. The 2002–2009 restyling is entirely based on the 6.8 AT, but its six database versions range from 405 to 507 hp. For lower fuel consumption and less weight, the 4.4 AT is the strongest candidate.
The Bentley Arnage choice divides into two distinct mechanical groups. The original 1998–2002 Sedan offers either a 4.4 AT with 354 hp or a 6.8 AT with 405 hp. The 2002–2009 restyling is entirely based on the 6.8 AT, but its six database versions range from 405 to 507 hp. For lower fuel consumption and less weight, the 4.4 AT is the strongest candidate. For maximum performance, choose between the 500 hp and 507 hp 6.8 AT versions: the former has the highest listed top speed at 290 km/h, while the latter combines 507 hp with a 6-speed Automatic gearbox and the lowest listed combined consumption among the restyled cars, at 19.5 l/100 km.
Bentley Arnage generations: what changed?
The original Bentley Arnage generation was produced from 1998 through 2002 as a Sedan and contains two versions. Its 4.4 AT and 6.8 AT differ in displacement, output, gearbox, weight, performance, and consumption. This generation is the only part of the catalogue to offer the 4.4 AT, a 5-speed Automatic gearbox, and a kerb weight as low as 2,300 kg.
The same generation’s restyling ran from 2002 through 2009, remained a Sedan, and contains six versions, all named 6.8 AT. They must therefore be identified by output: 405 hp, 457 hp, 500 hp, or 507 hp, with two separate database entries at both 405 hp and 457 hp. Compared with the original 405 hp 6.8 AT, the restyled range eventually added as much as 102 hp and 165 Nm. The 507 hp version also changed from a 4-speed to a 6-speed Automatic gearbox.
Bentley Arnage engine specs
Every listed Arnage engine is Gasoline, Turbo, V-shaped, and has 8 cylinders. All versions use distributed multi-point injection and RWD. The engine is front-mounted longitudinally wherever its position is recorded; that field is not measured for one of the 457 hp restyled versions.
| Generation and exact version | Output | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2002 4.4 AT | 354 hp | 570 Nm | 4,398 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1998–2002 6.8 AT | 405 hp | 835 Nm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline; grade not measured | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 405 hp, 100-litre tank | 405 hp | 835 Nm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 457 hp, 100-litre tank | 457 hp | 875 Nm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 500 hp | 500 hp | 1,000 Nm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 507 hp | 507 hp | 1,000 Nm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 405 hp, 96-litre tank | 405 hp | 835 Nm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 457 hp, 96-litre tank | 457 hp | 875 Nm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
Displacement is not the whole story. The 4.4 AT produces about 80.5 hp per litre, compared with 60.0 hp per litre for each 405 hp 6.8 AT. The 457 hp versions reach about 67.7 hp per litre, the 500 hp version about 74.1 hp per litre, and the 507 hp version about 75.1 hp per litre.
Torque delivery also separates the choices. The original 4.4 AT produces 570 Nm at 2,500 rpm. The original 6.8 AT produces 835 Nm at 2,150 rpm, while the restyled 457 hp versions provide 875 Nm at only 1,800 rpm. The 500 hp and 507 hp versions both reach 1,000 Nm, at 3,250 rpm and 3,200 rpm respectively.
Bentley Arnage performance and fuel economy
| Generation and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2002 4.4 AT | 6.6 s | 240 km/h | 23.4 l/100 km | 13.1 l/100 km | 16.9 l/100 km |
| 1998–2002 6.8 AT | 6.3 s | 249 km/h | 27.7 l/100 km | 14.3 l/100 km | 19.2 l/100 km |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 405 hp, 100-litre tank | 6.3 s | 250 km/h | 30.7 l/100 km | 14.8 l/100 km | 20.6 l/100 km |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 457 hp, 100-litre tank | 5.8 s | 257 km/h | 30.7 l/100 km | 14.8 l/100 km | 20.6 l/100 km |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 500 hp | 5.8 s | 290 km/h | 30.7 l/100 km | 14.8 l/100 km | 20.6 l/100 km |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 507 hp | 5.5 s | 288 km/h | 28.8 l/100 km | 14.1 l/100 km | 19.5 l/100 km |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 405 hp, 96-litre tank | 6.4 s | 250 km/h | 30.7 l/100 km | 14.8 l/100 km | 20.6 l/100 km |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 457 hp, 96-litre tank | 5.8 s | 270 km/h | 30.7 l/100 km | 14.8 l/100 km | 20.6 l/100 km |
The original 4.4 AT is the economy choice. Against the original 6.8 AT, it uses 4.3 l/100 km less in the city, 1.2 l/100 km less on the highway, and 2.3 l/100 km less combined. In return, the 6.8 AT adds 51 hp and 265 Nm, cuts 0.3 seconds from the 0–100 km/h time, and adds 9 km/h to top speed.
Within the restyled range, the two 457 hp entries have the same 5.8-second acceleration time but different listed top speeds: 257 km/h for the 100-litre-tank version and 270 km/h for the 96-litre-tank version. The 500 hp version also reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, but its 290 km/h maximum is 33 km/h above the 100-litre 457 hp car and 20 km/h above the 96-litre 457 hp car.
The 507 hp 6.8 AT is quickest to 100 km/h at 5.5 seconds. It is 0.3 seconds quicker than the 500 hp version, although its listed maximum is 288 km/h—2 km/h below the 500 hp car. It also reduces combined consumption by 1.1 l/100 km relative to the restyled versions rated at 20.6 l/100 km.
Bentley Arnage dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank size
External length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured for any version in the supplied data. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version.
| Generation and exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2002 4.4 AT | 2,300 kg | 2,750 kg | 140 mm | 94 l | not measured |
| 1998–2002 6.8 AT | 2,520 kg | 2,970 kg | not measured | 94 l | not measured |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 405 hp, 100-litre tank | 2,585 kg | 3,035 kg | not measured | 100 l | not measured |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 457 hp, 100-litre tank | 2,655 kg | 2,970 kg | 140 mm | 100 l | not measured |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 500 hp | 2,585 kg | 2,970 kg | 140 mm | 100 l | not measured |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 507 hp | 2,585 kg | 3,065 kg | 140 mm | 100 l | not measured |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 405 hp, 96-litre tank | 2,655 kg | 3,015 kg | not measured | 96 l | not measured |
| 2002–2009 6.8 AT, 457 hp, 96-litre tank | 2,655 kg | 3,040 kg | not measured | 96 l | not measured |
The 4.4 AT is 220 kg lighter than the original 6.8 AT and between 285 and 355 kg lighter than the restyled cars. It carries about 6.50 kg per horsepower. The original 405 hp 6.8 AT improves that figure to about 6.22 kg per horsepower. Among restyled versions, the ratios range from about 6.57 kg per horsepower for the 2,655 kg, 405 hp car to about 5.10 kg per horsepower for the 2,585 kg, 507 hp car. The 500 hp version is close behind at about 5.17 kg per horsepower.
Which Bentley Arnage version to buy and why
Choose the 1998–2002 4.4 AT if fuel use and lower mass matter most. It has the catalogue’s lowest kerb weight, the lowest city, highway, and combined consumption figures, a 5-speed Automatic gearbox, and the highest calculated power per litre. Its trade-off is clear: 354 hp, 570 Nm, 6.6 seconds to 100 km/h, and a 240 km/h top speed are the lowest performance figures in the range.
Choose the 1998–2002 6.8 AT if you want the larger engine without moving into the heavier restyled group. Compared with the 4.4 AT, it gains 51 hp and 265 Nm for a 220 kg weight increase. It also retains the 94-litre tank, but uses more fuel in every listed driving cycle.
Choose a restyled 405 hp 6.8 AT only if maximum output is not the priority. The 2,585 kg version reaches 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, while the 2,655 kg version requires 6.4 seconds. Both have a 250 km/h top speed, but their tank capacities differ: 100 litres and 96 litres.
Choose a restyled 457 hp 6.8 AT for strong low-rpm torque. Both versions deliver 875 Nm at 1,800 rpm and complete 0–100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. The database distinguishes them through tank capacity, fuel grade, weight data, and top speed: the 100-litre version specifies 95 fuel and 257 km/h, whereas the 96-litre version specifies 92 fuel and 270 km/h.
Choose the 500 hp 6.8 AT when listed top speed is decisive. Its 290 km/h maximum is the highest in the catalogue, and its 1,000 Nm output is 125 Nm above either 457 hp version. It weighs 2,585 kg, giving it a 70 kg advantage over both 457 hp entries, but its combined consumption remains 20.6 l/100 km.
Choose the 507 hp 6.8 AT for the best overall performance balance in the supplied figures. It has the highest output, the quickest 0–100 km/h time, a 6-speed Automatic gearbox, and lower city, highway, and combined consumption than the other high-output restyled versions. The 500 hp car remains the top-speed choice, but the 507 hp car is the stronger all-round specification when acceleration, gearbox, power-to-weight ratio, and fuel consumption are considered together.
Price, cars for sale, maintenance problems, reliability, and investment potential are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a version recommendation here. The choice can only be made from the recorded engine, performance, consumption, weight, clearance, and tank specifications.