The Bentley Arnage was introduced in 1998 as the marque’s new four-door flagship, taking its name from a corner of the Le Mans circuit. It arrived at a turning point for Bentley, combining traditional Crewe-built luxury with a modern era of ownership and engineering change. Early cars were known for their understated styling and were initially fitted with a BMW-derived 4.4-litre turbocharged V8, a choice that made the first Arnage a sharp break from the outgoing Bentley saloons of the 1990s.
The nameplate quickly became significant because Bentley moved to reassert its own character. For the 2000 model year, the Arnage Red Label brought back Bentley’s long-serving 6.75-litre turbocharged V8, restoring the low-speed torque and effortless feel associated with earlier Bentley turbo saloons. That engine family became central to the Arnage story and helped define the car’s identity for the rest of its life. Over time, the range expanded into more specialized versions such as the Green Label, R, RL and T, with the long-wheelbase RL emphasizing rear-seat luxury and the T focusing on performance.
The Arnage became one of Bentley’s most important modern luxury saloons and, by the company’s own account, one of its best-selling models. It was also notable for being one of the last Bentleys to embody the classic pre-Mulsanne era of hand-built, V8-powered grand saloon design. The run ended with the 2009 Final Series, a farewell edition that marked the close of the Arnage era before Bentley moved on to the Mulsanne as its new flagship.