2005 Bentley Arnage T Mulliner

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Bentley has long been renowned for offering a unique blend of luxury and performance, but this exceptional Arnage T Mulliner takes that to the next level thanks to its immense specification.

Sold new via Bentley Leicester in February 2005, it came with a huge list of options that included chromed door-mirror caps, ‘Le Mans Series’ lower front-wing vents, quad tailpipes, a chromed radiator shell with matrix-style grille, privacy glass, Sports bumpers and 19in seven-spoke chromed wheels.

The cossetting interior features Burr Oak veneer, massage seats front and rear, a rear fridge, veneered picnic tables, and a wood and leather steering wheel. There’s a DVD system with screens in the front headrests – which can be covered with pull-down blinds if required – plus individual rear climate control and lambswool rugs. The rear seats recline electrically, which is a very rare option.

Even the two Bentley umbrellas are still present and correct, and front and rear parking sensors were specified – plus a reversing camera. 

From 2013, the Bentley was always chauffeur-driven and has covered only 19,000 miles from new. Its extensive history starts with its Pre-Delivery Inspection on 23 February 2005 and includes servicing by main dealers Bentley Leicester and Bentley Birmingham, plus Andre Bloom Thoroughbreds.

Superbly presented in Diamond Black with Magnolia and Beluga leather, and powered by a 450bhp, 6.75-litre turbocharged V8, this is a Bentley in the very best tradition of the marque. Now being offered for sale, it has genuine presence and charisma, and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a low-mileage Arnage T Mulliner.

MODEL HISTORY  

Development of the Bentley Arnage started during the 1990s while the marque, along with Rolls-Royce, was still owned by Vickers. Intended to replace the Mulsanne, the new modelwas powered at its 1998 launch by BMW’s 4.4-litre V8 engine – but a rethink was soon needed after Bentley was acquired by Volkswagen.

The German company decided to extensively re-engineer the 6.75-litre V8 engine that had long been a feature of Bentley and Rolls-Royce models, and introduced it in the Arnage Red Label in 1999. The BMW engine continued to be offered in the Arnage Green Label, and both models were updated with stiffer body structures plus larger wheels and brakes. 

In 2001, and with Bentley set to return to Le Mans, a special run of 150 Arnage ‘Le Mans’ cars was produced, with a range of ‘Le Mans Series’ options. Then, the following year, the Red Label morphed into the Arnage R and the more sporting Arnage T. 

With a pair of Garratt T3 turbochargers and a Bosch Motronic management system, the engine in the Arnage T produced 450bhp and an incredible 645 lb/ft of torque. There was also a ‘drive by wire’ throttle system, a new electronic stability program and revised suspension.

This new model combined near-supercar pace with genuine luxury. Despite weighing almostthree tonnes, the Bentley could get from 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds and sweep on to a top speed of 168mph. Jeremy Clarkson described it on Top Gear as being a ‘stately home that you can powerslide’. 

When Car magazine tested an Arnage, it said that the interior was ‘still one of the great automotive environments’ and that the ‘essentially hand-built machine’ was ‘one of the finest luxury cars ever built’.

A 2006 update for the Arnage T replaced the Garratt turbochargers with Mitsubishi units and raised power to 500bhp, with torque up to 737 lb/ft. The four-speed GM gearbox was replaced by a six-speed ZF auto, and Arnage production continued until 2009, when it bowed out after a short run of ‘Final Series’ models.