Description

1999 Bentley Arnage 4.4 V8

Only 80,400 miles from new; upgraded sound system; Arnage T alloys; twin turbo V8 with 350bhp and 420lb/ft

Launched in 1998 when Bentley was still owned by Vickers, the all-new Arnage was the first Bentley to ditch the venerable 6.75 V8 in favour of an equally powerful, much lighter and far more fuel efficient BMW M62 V8. Re-engineered by Cosworth, the 4.4 unit gained twin turbos and produced 350bhp and 420lb/ft which, driving through a five-speed automatic gearbox, could propel the Arnage to 62mph in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 149mph.

However, when VW took over Bentley in late-1998, the Arnage was hastily fitted with the old 6.75 V8 once more, the new model being known as the Red Label while the BMW-powered version became known as the Green Label. Although VW cited ‘customer demand’ as the reason for the change, in reality it was more to do with company politics and the 4.4 was judged noticeably more agile and responsive than the 6.75, with significantly lower running costs.

First registered in July 1999, this Arnage 4.4 V8 has covered 80,800 miles to date in the hands of six owners, the fourth of whom owned it from 2005 – 2016 when it was registered as XAB 1. It looks most attractive in Tempest Silver with a magnolia hide interior piped in blue with lambswool overmats front and rear. It also benefits from later five-spoke alloys from the range-topping Arnage T which came out in 2002.

An Autotrader advert from August 2016 when the car had covered 71,000 miles states that it had a ‘full service history’ at that point, although sadly the service book is no longer with the car. However, a good file of invoices back to 2012 show regular upkeep since then, the oil and filter seemingly last changed at 78,692 miles in July 2019. More recently a new alternator and battery were fitted in December 2021.

A Tracker theft recovery system has been fitted at some point although the subscription will need to be renewed by the next owner if desired. An Alpine 055 Series sat nav system is also fitted along with an Alpine sound system with some expensive looking JL Audio amplifiers in the boot which are linked to a Caliber Audio Technology power boost capacitor so you can start your own earthquake with the bass! An owner’s handbook is also present to guide you through all the other gadgets on board.

An impressive looking car which would have cost an eye-watering £145,000 new, it comes with an MOT until January 2023 with no advisories recorded.

Documents: V5C; older V5C; MOT Jan 2023 with no advisories; 6 old MOTs; invoices; Tracker certificate; JL Audio guide; handbook

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com