Performance Review: Bentley Arnage R 6.8 V8 Turbo - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Arnage Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Arnage R 6.8 V8 Turbo is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular Bentley Arnage has a 6750cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Arnage shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Arnage's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2585 kgs (5698 lbs) this makes the Bentley Arnage R 6.8 V8 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 6.2 V8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley Arnage shares the same bhp with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp)

In terms of power the 6750cc 16V V8 engine produces 400 bhp (298 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 616 lb-ft (835.1 Nm) @ 3250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo (593 lb-ft) or the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid (593 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Bentley Arnage you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1999 Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro (179.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Arnage.

The Bentley Arnage has a Power to weight ratio of 154.7 bhp per ton and 238.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 Arnage competing with the 1999 Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro (179.7 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport (179.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Bentley Arnage generating around 238.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1998 Bentley Continental T 6.8 V8 Turbo (263.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Jaguar XK R 5.0 Supercharged (262.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.1 secs, this made the Bentley Arnage R 6.8 V8 Turbo as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs). This Bentley Arnage R 6.8 V8 Turbo is also faster than the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 (6.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Arnage and the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Arnage on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.3 secs @ 89.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (15.23 secs), the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate (15.24 secs), and the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport (15.25 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Bentley Arnage R 6.8 V8 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 Arnage equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Bentley Arnage R 6.8 V8 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2002 Arnage Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison