FINAL WORD
Our time with “The Bentley” was too short – just as we had perfected our answer to the “Why” questions, we made the mistake of answering the phone – Bentley wanted the car back. Our week with the Bentley went by entirely too quickly.
So, while the Bentley Arnage R may be a status symbol to some, and an icon worthy of worship to others, we found it to be a true driver’s car. It handled every task with ease, and it drove and rode like a real car should. It loved to be out on the road, with its long hood effortlessly swallowing up pavement, its healthy engine making short work of long roads.
It’s a shame that so few people will be able to experience what it’s like to drive a Bentley – we believe that Bentley is one of the only car manufacturers who’ve been able to figure out exactly how a car should drive and ride. BMW, Maybach, Mercedes, Rolls-Royce take note: this is the car you need to build. Why? If you have to ask….
PERFORMANCE SPECS: 2003 BENTLEY ARNAGE R
Price As Tested: $218,768
DRIVETRAIN HIGHLIGHTS
Engine Type: Aluminum V8 (block & heads) w/steel sleeves & Overhead Valves
Size: 6.75 Liters
Bore/Stroke: 4.09in x 3.90in (104mm x 99mm)
Compression Ratio: 7.8:1
SAE Net Horsepower: 400hp @ 4,000 rpm
SAE Net Torque: 616lb/ft @ 3,200 rpm
Turbocharger: Garrett T3 (twin)
Oil System Capcity: 9.975 Quarts
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 2.92:1
WHEELS/TIRES/BRAKES
Front Tires: P255/50/R18 Pirelli PZero
Rear Tires: P255/50/R18 Pirelli PZero
Front Wheels: 18.0 x 8, Cast Alloy
Rear Wheels: 18.0 x 8, Cast Alloy
Front Brakes: 13.7″ vented disc
Rear Brakes: 13.5″ vented disc
DIMENSIONS AND PERFORMANCE
Curb Weight: 5,699 lbs
Wheelbase: 122.7 inches
Overall Length: 212.37 inches
Overall Height: 59.69 inches
Weight Distribution (%): 50/50
Fuel Economy (EPA): 10/15
Fuel Capacity: 26 US gallons
0-60: 5.9 seconds
0-100: 15.4 seconds
50 – 70 mph: 3.3 seconds
Top Speed: 155 mph (goverened)
THE PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED REVIEW ONLY ‘TOUCHES ON’ THE FINE POINTS OF THIS CAR. I HAVE MANY, MANY CARS IN MY TIME AND HADN’T PURCHASED A BENTLEY SINCE THE MID EIGHTIES WHEN I BOUGHT AN OLD SII. LATER I BOUGHT A SIII AND THEN A BENTLEY EIGHT AND THAT LED ME TO THIS VERY FINE MOTORCAR. I JUST PURCHASED MY 2ND ARNAGE AND I CAN’T SAY ENOUGH ‘ABOUT IT. IT IS SIMPLY ‘THE BEST CAR IN THE WORLD’ AND AT 64 YEARS YOUNG I’VE HAD (OVER 200) FERRARI’S, ROLLS-ROYCES, TONS OF MERCEDES (INCLUDING THE 500CLS AND 280SE 3.5 CONVERTIBLE), A FEW BEEMERS AND JAGUARS. NOTHING COMPARES TO THIS CAR IN DRIVING COMFORT, QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, ‘WOW FACTOR’, PRESTEIGE AND ENDURANCE. I ONLY WISH THEY HELD THEIR VALUE BETTER. IF YOU EVER HAVE A CHANCE TO BUY AN ARNAGE – DO IT. SKIP THE CONTINENTAL GT COUPE AND SPUR- THIS IS THE ONE!