2002 Bentley Arnage T Photos, engines & full specs

Bentley brought back the old 6.75-liter V8 engine developed in the late '50s, added a pair of turbochargers on it, and launched the Arnage T on the market in 2002 at the North American International Auto Show.

After Volkswagen bought the Bentley brand, BMW purchased Rolls-Royce, and friction appeared between the two German automakers. But the latter automaker provided the engines for both marques. That forced the former to retrieve the old Bentley V8 powerplant from the parts bin, refresh it with new electronics and Garett turbochargers, and install it in the Arnage. Thus, the majestic luxobarge managed to smoke its tires and do donuts. But on the other hand, it remained an elegant vehicle.

Its exterior appearance didn't hint what it could actually do. Still, its mesh grille at the front and the air intake from its dam were clues about the car's bipolar character. Furthermore, the light-alloy wheels were different than on the regular Arnage. Finally, at the back, there was no lip spoiler on the trunk nor a diffuser underneath the bumper. Yet, it sported oval side exhausts with chromed tips.

Inside, it was Bentley as usual. A true British lounge with wood trims on the dash, center console, and doors. Its front bucket seats provided little to no side support for their occupants, and the benchseat in the back was suitable for transporting two adults in comfort.

But underneath the bodywork stood a true beast. Its massive 738 lb-ft (1000 Nm) of torque could shred the rear tires at any moment. Power went to the rear axle via a GM-sourced four-speed automatic gearbox and an open differential. Despite all that, the massive 5,699 lbs (2.6-ton) vehicle could sprint from naught to sixty (0-97 kph) in a mere 5.5 seconds up to a top speed of 168 mph (270 kph).