Bentley Brooklands is the name of two distinct models. The first was a full-size luxury saloon launched in 1992 to replace the Bentley Mulsanne and succeeded by the Arnage in 1998. The second was the Brooklands Coupé of 2008–2011, a two-door, four-seater hardtop version of the Azure. Both were named after the banked race track in Surrey where Bentley scored some of its greatest successes in the 1920s and 1930s.
Bentley Brooklands at a glance
| Maker | Bentley Motors, Crewe |
|---|---|
| Saloon production | 1992–1998 |
| Coupé production | 2008–2011 |
| Saloon engine | 6.75-litre Rolls-Royce V8, turbocharged from 1996 |
| Saloon power | about 245 hp; 300 bhp with the 1996 light-pressure turbo |
| Coupé engine | 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8, 530 bhp at 4,000 rpm |
| Coupé torque | 1,050 N·m at 3,250 rpm |
| Saloon wheelbase | 3,061 mm or 3,162 mm |
| Coupé acceleration | 0–100 km/h in 5.3 seconds |
| Coupé top speed | 296 km/h |
| Coupé production plan | 550 cars |
History of the Bentley Brooklands
The saloon (1992–1998)
The first Brooklands was introduced in 1992 as a replacement for the Mulsanne S and the Eight. It was intended as a slightly less expensive alternative to the Turbo R, with the same styling, underpinnings and Rolls-Royce 6.75-litre V8, but at first without the more powerful model’s turbocharger. A turbocharged version with light-pressure boosting and 300 bhp appeared in 1996, and in 1998 there was also a Brooklands R with suspension borrowed from the Turbo R and the light-pressure turbo, badged as the Brooklands R.
The car continued Bentley’s angular design theme of the 1980s and early 1990s, with the classic waterfall grille, twin headlights with wraparound parking lights, the trademark descending bootlid and chrome B-pillars. Inside, the biggest change was moving the gear selector from the steering column, where Rolls-Royce and Bentley had kept it for decades, to the centre console; woodgrain with lighter engraved outlines covered the doors. American prices started at about $156,500.
The 1992–1997 Brooklands used the 6.75-litre Rolls-Royce V8 with a four-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive and independent suspension front and rear. It was a large car, with a wheelbase of 3,162 mm in long-wheelbase form or 3,061 mm in short-wheelbase form. Italian sources give 245 hp, a 215 km/h top speed and 0–100 km/h in 10 seconds for the standard car. The model was replaced by the Arnage in 1998.
The coupé (2008–2011)
The Brooklands Coupé was a fixed-head version of the Bentley Azure, itself related to the Arnage, with a two-door, four-seater pillarless hardtop body that eliminated the B-pillars. It was unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show and built for the 2008 model year. Hand assembled in very small numbers with traditional coachbuilding techniques and craftsmanship in wood and leather, it was the true successor to the discontinued Continental R and T. Planned lifetime production was limited to 550 cars, and deliveries began in the first half of 2008.
The coupé was powered by a 6.75-litre Bentley L Series twin-turbo overhead-valve V8 producing 530 bhp at 4,000 rpm and 1,050 N·m at 3,250 rpm, at the time the highest torque ever developed by a production petrol V8. A reinforced six-speed ZF automatic with Tiptronic manual selection sent the power to the rear wheels. Acceleration to 100 km/h took 5.3 seconds and the top speed was 296 km/h. A carbon fibre-reinforced silicon carbide ceramic brake system with 14-inch discs was optional and could be ordered only with 20-inch wheels.
Design and features
- Two characters: a restrained luxury saloon in the 1990s and a 530 bhp pillarless coupé in the 2000s.
- Torque record: the coupé’s 1,050 N·m was, at the time, the highest of any production petrol V8.
- Traditional craft: the coupé was hand assembled in very small numbers, with wood and leather work.
- Optional ceramic brakes: carbon fibre-reinforced silicon carbide discs on 20-inch wheels.
Bentley Brooklands versions
- Brooklands saloon (1992–1997): the standard car with the unblown 6.75-litre V8.
- 1996 turbo saloon: light-pressure turbocharging and 300 bhp.
- Brooklands R (1998): Turbo R suspension and the light-pressure turbo.
- Brooklands Coupé (2008–2011): the Azure-based two-door, limited to a planned 550 cars.
The Brooklands Coupé was derived from the Bentley Azure, and the saloon replaced the Mulsanne. More cars are in the Bentley collection.
Video: 152 Top Gear Bentley Brooklands
Video by crazykhalid on YouTube.
Sources
- Bentley Brooklands, English Wikipedia: saloon, coupé, engines, performance
- Bentley Brooklands, Italian Wikipedia: saloon power and performance
- Bentley Brooklands, French Wikipedia: saloon updates, coupé production
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