The second-generation Bentley Brooklands: key features
The second-generation Bentley Brooklands is a prime example of automotive classic design. However, based on sales figures, one might think that most car enthusiasts weren’t particularly fond of these vehicles. This conclusion seems obvious when analyzing the number of cars sold: only 550 second-generation models were sold, which is almost half as many as the first-generation sedans. But this is a mistaken conclusion. All the cars were sold in the year of their debut. Orders were taken first, and then the cars were manufactured. Production ceased due to a set production limit.
Exterior and Interior
Visually, the Bentley Brooklands is a classic premium coupe. This comes as no surprise—the car was built using the Azure convertible’s chassis, which determined both the vehicle’s large dimensions and its distinctive design.
It might seem that turning a convertible into a coupe is a piece of cake. However, experts are masters at transforming a hardtop coupe into a convertible.
The designers focused primarily on the upper section of the car—which had to be created practically from scratch. But they succeeded in achieving the desired result. The Bentley Brooklands has become a true embodiment of the style of a bygone era, when the roads were filled only with rugged cars—cars that have long since disappeared from Europe and are now living out their days in America.
The pillarless car turned out to be surprisingly light and airy, despite its impressive dimensions. The rear of the car, with a roof that flows smoothly into the trunk line, has a distinctly sporty style.
The coupe is 5.4 meters long. The R20 wheels, considered standard for such cars, look harmonious rather than bulky.
During development, it was assumed that the car would be produced in limited quantities. No new side panels were created for this model; instead, a rigid top was manufactured and then welded onto the Azure convertible. But this approach shouldn’t be compared to the work of hobbyists who assemble cars from two parts in their garages. It’s worth noting that the body’s rigidity didn’t decrease—it actually increased.
Visually, the Bentley Brooklands bears absolutely no resemblance to the Continental GT, as they are cars from different generations.
Exterior Features
Bentley is, first and foremost, about a luxurious interior. That’s exactly what the average person thinks. However, with the Brooklands—which clearly falls short of the Rolls-Royce—it’s a slightly different story. Of course, the manufacturer traditionally used expensive and reliable materials for the trim, but the build quality cannot be described as high.
The hand-assembly of this model turned out to be a failure. It’s unclear why, but that’s a fact.
As for the interior panels, they are exactly what they appear to be. Made of wood and metal, they look quite substantial. When ordering the car, you could choose any type of wood for the trim, ranging from traditional pine to exotic zebrano.
The Bentley Brooklands offers more than just unquestionable comfort in the front seats. These cars are radically different from the Continental GT. Passengers in the rear seats feel just as comfortable. Passengers have the opportunity not just to travel, but to enjoy the ride.
Superb comfort in the second row is ensured by:
- a separate climate control system;
- stylish and comfortable reading lights;
- special cushions on the rear pillars./
The legroom in the latest Bentley model (the coupe version) is also a delight.
In developing the Brooklands, the British automaker seemed to be bidding farewell to an era of relative independence, when no one interfered with the brand’s development. Back then, its history followed its own course.
One of the notable elements of the Bentley interior is the floor mats. The brand’s signature products are well known for their high-quality craftsmanship and have always impressed with their pile height. However, in the Brooklands model, they are astonishing—unfortunately, not in a good way. Here, the pile somehow sticks out strangely in all directions after just 20 km of driving. Therefore, the floor mats are absolutely incomparable to those found in Rolls-Royce interiors.
One very noticeable flaw is the far-from-perfect fit of the carpet. Owners of brand-new Bentleys have complained about this repeatedly. In some models, the fit is so imperfect that the car’s body is visible through the gaps. The manufacturer has always attributed this to the nature of the assembly process. After all, it’s impossible to achieve the same precision by hand as that provided by high-tech equipment.
But the issue lies elsewhere entirely. When Bentley began operating at a loss, skilled craftsmen stopped receiving their traditional compensation and left their jobs. Yet their expertise had been passed down from generation to generation. The entry of Volkswagen and BMW into the market also had a negative impact on Bentley’s products—the quality of the cars produced deteriorated even further.
It might seem that these are just minor flaws, and that customer complaints are mere nitpicking. However, the price of a brand-new Bentley Brooklands in 2007 was no less than 350,000 dollars. For that kind of money, every car really should be flawless.
Engine
On the other hand, the Bentley Brooklands’ powertrain is perfect. And we’re not talking about fuel economy, which, frankly, wasn’t a major concern for those who could afford a $350,000 car.
The British fitted a domestically produced engine under the hood: a 6.75-liter V8 (L-series). The powertrain, developed way back in 1959, had been modified several times. The engine’s long history didn’t scare anyone back then; on the contrary, it was a guarantee of reliability. Back then, they hadn’t yet learned to build disposable vehicles.
The twin-turbo engine delivers 537 liters of power. It features an excellent transmission, well-known for its reliability (with the option of manual shifting), assembled by specialists at ZF.
Key technical specifications:
- acceleration to 100 km/h – 5.3 seconds;
- top speed: up to 300 km/h.
The model is renowned for its excellent braking system. For the most discerning customers, the car was equipped with an optional carbon-ceramic package (additional cost: $30,000).
The greatest strength of these cars lies not in the numbers—though they are certainly impressive—but in the sheer joy of the drive itself, when it feels as though this car was never meant to be in a hurry. But the moment you press a little harder on the gas pedal, the car takes off just as well as some sports cars. The Bentley Brooklands exudes an incredible sense of flair. Thanks to its 6.75-liter engine and powerful torque, the car—which sits low over the rear axle and has its “nose” slightly raised—quickly speeds off into the distance. Meanwhile, the driver is perfectly comfortable—unparalleled comfort is ensured by the impeccably designed ergonomic seat.
The engine, which is quite old in design, has undergone more than one modernization to meet environmental standards. As a result, it has become incredibly powerful, yet unexpectedly sluggish in the sense that there’s a noticeable pause between pressing the gas pedal and the car’s response. The issue lies not with the transmission, but with the engine’s electronic control unit. The problem can be solved quite practically—through standard chip tuning. But who would dare to do that? The car would simply lose its unique character.
The handling of this premium sedan is no different from that of other cars from the 1960s and 1970s.
It turns beautifully, and the steering wheel turns effortlessly—which, in essence, is enough for comfortable handling. However, driving a massive Bentley in a big city is inconvenient. The main problem is finding a parking space large enough in the city center.
Limited Edition
It remains unclear what the Bentley CEO’s motives were, or why only 550 Brooklands were produced. Some believe that everything was determined by available production capacity and the limit set by Volkswagen.
All subsequent Bentley models were partially standardized with Volkswagen. Some versions were virtually identical, with the exception of the design.
For Bentley enthusiasts, the Brooklands offered a unique opportunity to own this legendary car. It made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007, after which all the cars were immediately snapped up by their future owners.
An interesting detail: the last of the lucky owners of these extraordinary Bentley Brooklands didn’t receive their cars until 2011. And they were prepared for this delay, since the cars were hand-built.
The Bentley Brooklands Today
They are no longer in production. And there are good reasons to believe this situation will not change in the future. It’s not worth trying to compare the original cars with the modern Continental GT. They are completely different vehicles in terms of both design and exterior.
If you look for a worthy successor to the Bentley Brooklands, you’ll find one: the Flying Spur sedan, which was introduced in 2013. It’s still in production today, and the car clearly bears the hallmarks of the legendary British brand. There’s no doubt that if the company decided to bring back the Bentley Brooklands, the Flying Spur platform would be chosen as the chassis.
When comparing the two cars, both exterior and interior similarities (the cars’ interiors) are clearly evident. Perhaps Volkswagen decided, after all, to preserve the British manufacturer’s classic heritage, at least in the form of a single model.
Make no mistake about the modern cars produced under the Bentley brand. For example, the Bentley Bentayga is a far cry from British classics. It’s essentially a premium-class VW Touareg, with a price tag inflated by the use of the legendary Bentley name.
Bentley or Rolls-Royce?
Does it even make sense to debate which of these British premium brands is better, faster, or more powerful? Perhaps this is an attempt to convince oneself and others that nothing remains of those classics. Yet every brand has preserved its classic models.
People who can afford a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce don’t ask themselves such questions. These connoisseurs understand full well that each British brand is unique. They don’t need to choose between different cars—after all, they can buy any of them.
As it happens, current or former Bentley owners often choose Rolls-Royce models for themselves. They clearly understand the difference between these cars and modern Lexuses, BMWs, and other S-class models, which seem far too primitive.
When you’re behind the wheel of a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce, you begin to understand why such cars are so expensive, despite their shortcomings and obvious imperfections.
No matter how Bentley’s story unfolds, there’s no denying that the second-generation Brooklands coupe has made its mark on the brand’s history. The model occupies its own unique niche alongside the Azure convertible.
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