In a complete switch from tradition, these new cars would have engines provided by a third-party vendor, and bodies built at the Crewe factory.

[4] Furthermore, customers were uncertain about engine and part availability (of which there turned out to be no issue) and orders for new cars dropped precipitously.

[5] Volkswagen's response was to adapt the old 16-valve, 6.75-litre pushrod engine from the (Mulsanne) Turbo R for the Arnage body, which had been designed for the smaller and much lighter BMW 32-valve V8.

Coupled with an outdated 4-speed automatic gearbox from General Motors, the engine was extremely thirsty, and would not meet government-imposed emissions standards without hasty modifications.

At the same time, but without fanfare, Bentley made several minor modifications to the original BMW engined cars, and designated them as the "Arnage Green Label" for the 2000 model year.

The most important modifications, to both Red and Green Label cars, gave them stiffer body-shells, and larger wheels and brakes.

Bentley cited customer demand as driving the reversion to the old two valve per cylinder 6.75-litre unit for the Red Label.

There was a final series of cars built in 2000 with the 4.4-litre BMW engine designated the Arnage Birkin, of which 52 units were produced and are distinguishable by their three-dial as opposed to five-dial instrument center dashboard configuration.

This style of saloon stretch is sometimes called "double-cut" in the United States, due to the two main points where the car is extended.

[citation needed] The RL would also present a credible challenge to BMW's attempts to revive the Rolls-Royce brand with its planned new model, the Phantom.

As with the Arnage R, there were twin-turbochargers, but the engine was tuned and rated at a higher power output of 456 PS (335 kW; 450 hp) and 875 N⋅m (645 lbf⋅ft) of torque.

For the 2007 model year, the Garrett turbochargers were replaced with low-inertia Mitsubishi units designed to improve engine response.

Production was planned of 50 Le Mans editions of the Continental R Mulliner and 150 of the Bentley Arnage Red label.

On the exterior, the Final Series features unique 20 inch alloy wheels, a retractable 'Flying B' hood ornament, body-coloured headlamp bezels, dark tint mesh upper and lower grilles, lower front wing vents, a 'Jewel-style' fuel filler cap and special badging.

The interior, designed by Mulliner, features Final Series kick plates, drilled alloy pedals, unique chrome trim, a rear cocktail cabinet[17] and two picnic tables.

Fuel consumption was heavy, with Bentley stating that the model averages less than 10 mpg in the city and just over 20 on the highway in European testing.

[18] A replacement model, which was called the Bentley Mulsanne was launched in August 2009, at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, in Monterey, California.

[19] The Arnage was well received by the motoring press, with most critics admiring the unimpeachable image but criticising the price and running cost.