AB41 • Bentley Brooklands '08

Speaking of high-end when we speak of a Bentley, it's inevitable. And that's not what Brooklands coupe that exception to the rule. Derived from the Arnage and product for three years, he has established and strengthened standards and ambitions of the English brand. But what is this second generation of Brooklands almost as heavy as a Hummer H2?

Technical sheet

Model	Bentley Brooklands
Engine	6.75 537 horsepower twin-turbo V8
Dimensions	5.41 x 1.93 x 1.47 meter
Mass	2 465 kg
Marketing	2008 - 2011 550 copies
average coast	200 000 €
0 to 100 km / h	5"0
max	297 km/h
Consumption	19.5 l / 100 km
Date and place	June 13, 2015, Le Mans

Brooklands . When talking about Brooklands, we think both the famous circuit of the UK but also in a Bentley model whose first draft was produced from 1992 to 1998. Formally, it was a redesigned model to replace the Mulsanne. But unofficially, it was more of a restyling. The Bentley Brooklands is then permanently erase the benefit of the Arnage. The latter knows a great success and in 2008 it sees available in a convertible version, the Azure and cut the Brooklands. It is on this second opus Brooklands we will focus. Aesthetically, the first reaction is an onomatopoeia that translates: "What it is massive". But in a good sense, this Bentley won with 5.41 meters and its width is approaching 2 meters. Then there is the grille recognizable among all others and which clearly indicates the standing of the model we have in front of us.

Private lounge . Franz-Josef Paefgen, then president of Bentley, said he wanted to make this a symbiotic Brooklands' 20s, blending style, power and splendor. While on paper, it was offir an appropriate 2-door version to the Arnage , the deal was far less easy to put in place to maintain poise. The lines are then rearranged in a style that is both solid and classy familiarly excess and abundance. No detail is left to chance and all exudes quality and luxury. Like any Bentley, the assembly remains in the hand and combines noble and rare materials.A luxury case where the finest leathers cotoît is the most prestigious woodwork. The four passengers enjoy outstanding comfort and rich equipment. Many electrical controls adjust to ventilate, heat or even cool their seats. The set is a rare harmony and even offers a storage box and cup holder to enjoy it a vintage or even a good champagne while better yet installed in a large room!

Ever . Both internally and externally, the Bentley Brooklands inspired refinement. But for the British manufacturer, it must become a rare and precious object, that is why the production is voluntarily limited to 550 copies. The first passed in 2008 while the last leave in 2011. The public response was strong although the design of the Brooklands (derived from the Arnage T, remember) was in 1998. Nevertheless, all is solid and perfectly cash the extra power. Sold new from € 347,183, the Bentley Brooklands indescence the frieze is sharp and clear. In terms of innovation, they are not omni-present, more than a revolution, it is an evolution of previous productions that the brand founded by Walter Owen Bentley wanted to implement. In addition to widely expanded customization options (42 exterior colors, 25 hides and 3 wood ...) , it is in terms of behavior and driving pleasure that Bentley has embarked.

A beautiful baby . The line is both fluid and classy, ​​a beautiful alchemy while refinement and less in excess, with a huge grille as at Rolls Royce. Bounce on the road behavior of the Bentley Brooklands. First, the over-supply and this luxurious profusion strongly influence the balance as the beautiful accused still around 2.5 tonnes, which is not nothing! Next, Bentley took the lead in refining the chassis settings and experimenting larger disc brakes ever fitted to a production car, with 42 centimeters at the front! There is also the typical sports exhaust with a relatively pleasant sound that leaves fully express the famous V8 6.75-liter house.Helped by two turbochargers, it now develops 537 horsepower and provides camionesque torque 1050 Nm. Yes, it is possible to be glued to the seat aboard a Bentley Brooklands but the weight is quickly felt and agility n ' is not the highlight of this model. This is great, this is a beautiful baby and not a sporting GT.

Dear Bentley . Fully customizable, from the time of the order and the receipt, he would sometimes take more than a year and a half. The price to pay to afford a collector model early. Just as the Azure (convertible version of the Arnage) , the Brooklands opts neo-retro, renovating the values ​​that have made ​​the success of Bentley prewar incorporating sparingly current items to optimize this model. Inevitably, the performance is sharply higher but they are not the only ones. Despite overeating V8, consumption stands at around 20 liters per 100 kilometers. Anyway, we did not buy a Bentley to save money, the ticket is enough to dissuade and to forget this idea quickly. Comfortably floor 20 inches, the Bentley Brooklands receives rims worked design, discreet and with a touch of aggressiveness anyway.

Finesse and tradition . When Brooklands were sold from 2008 to 2011, few were the best sporting extravagant combinations of colors. This is typically the kind of model that appeals to luxury car purists rather amateur sober and effective configurations in the image our copy and English green dress beautifully. The Brooklands is sure to integrate the category of luxury road, devouring superlatives. Faultless who also appreciate the perfect design of volumes, like the curved rear window or the long doors with the windows have no amounts.

A "B" as Bentley . The Bentley badge is a "B" winged, referring to the field of aviation, a field where he worked during the First World War . On the second hand market, the Brooklands, second of the name, are trading around € 200,000. The most original configurations taker sometimes take up to € 300,000 if held in a state competition and with many options. Nevertheless, the odds now seems stabilized since the last copies have been sold in the course of 2011.

AA . The rump of the Bentley Brooklands seduces you with its size perfectly drawn, know that you can invest in this model is the right time. Copies for sale on the market can display at fairly low prices to make them go faster. Ensure that maintenance was impeccable and assured in the network. As the vast majority of Bentley Brooklands, reliability is excellent. One recall took place in 2010. It concerned the bonnet badge had to be replaced because of possible corrosion or long term. But that's about all, a rigorous maintenance will achieve relatively high mileages.

Should I buy a Bentley Brooklands?

Prestigious, class, refined ... compliments showered upon this beautiful English. The Bentley Brooklands is committed to excellence and it shows on prices, both to buy and maintain or on terms of consumption. This is a car that passion is assessed in its entirety, with its qualities but also its flaws. Nevertheless, it remains a reference in the field of GT and ultra high-end cut.