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Bentley Brooklands Coupé
Considerations of substituting the relatively old Bentley Continental R and its derivatives by a model targeting at the market niche of "Super Sportscars" were aborted by Bentley. Not least because such might have ignited some ‘in-house concurrence’ affecting the brilliant sales success of Bentley Continental GT and the soon to be launched Continental GT 'Speed', too. Better chances were seen by creating a model for the field of huge, enormously powerful Coupes and thus offering a version with a spacious cabin as an alternative to the Continental GT's less opulent 2+2 design.
Sharing the well-proven platform that was known from the 4-door Bentley Arnage T at the Geneva Show 2007 a 2-door coupe was shown. This one was christened ‘Bentley Brooklands’ and first deliveries were promised from 2008 onward. Inevitably in later years there will be some confusion because the name ‘Brooklands’ had been used previously – though in the 90s it had been the model designation of a 4-door saloon. The power-plant under the bonnet was the familiar V8-engine that provided acceleration for the Bentley Arnage T – but with the difference that the coupé’s engine was significantly more powerful. Compared with the 4-door saloon’s 500 bhp the 2-door coupe was recorded with 530bhp and a torque of 1,050Nm. Subtle changes had improved the free-flow of the air induction system, re-calibrated engine electronic modules in conjunction with re-set valve-timing and a sports exhaust had their share in the increased, too, a well as new twin turbochargers supplied by Mitsubishi. A pleasantly stretched silhouette, especially the well proportioned side-view, had been achieved by a low roofline. It was half an inch (13mm) lower than that of the Azure drophead coupe and almost 2 inches (47mm) lower than that of the Arnage saloon. The elegant coachwork encapsulated an passenger compartment that offered opulent space. Not only for driver and front seat passenger but in this model for those passengers, too, who opted for the impressively comfortable rear seats. In combination with a boot's capacity that was more than sufficient there was no need for any compromise even with a fair amount of luggage. The Bentley Brooklands was an excellent coupe in every respect. Lifetime production was limited to 550. – And those who were familiar with the marque's history detected a faint echo from the glorious past: The Rolls-Royce Camargue had been the last "big Coupé" and some 500+ had been built – though only a single one of these had been made as a Bentley Camargue.
Technical Data:
No. made:426 Bentley Brooklands Coupé
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