According to Bentley chairman, Franz-Josef Paefgen, the new Bentley Brooklands coupe is a car for the "ultimate gentleman driver." In name and spirit it is designed to recall Bentley's heyday in the 1920s, when Britain still had an empire and the so-called Bentley Boys dominated the world of sports car racing.
Men such as Wolf Barnato, who doubled as the company chairman, enjoyed playboy lifestyles. They lived fast and did their best to die young. It's an evocative image but one that seems somewhat at odds with the likely demographic of a Brooklands customer...
Based on the Arnage sedan, the Brooklands is a vast four-seater coupe that is likely to cost the not-insignificant sum of $350,000. One can't help thinking that the Brooklands owner is more likely to be an aged retiree than a hedonistic thirtysomething.
There is also something slightly ironic about the name. Brooklands was a famous British circuit in the pre- and interwar years, but it was bought by DaimlerChrysler and now poses as a glorified Mercedes showroom. Don't expect to read a "we drive a Brooklands to Brooklands" story anytime soon-- Alistair Weaver, Contributor.
For the full story visit 2008 Bentley Brooklands
ahightower says:
11:04 AM, 03/ 6/07
Am I the only one who thinks it looks like a boat, even more so than the Azure? Something about the roofline and rear proportions just looks weird. Who wouldn't rather have a Continental GT, unless you're just out to flaunt your wealth?
roar02ram says:
11:18 AM, 03/ 6/07
It looks incredibly boatish, incredibly Bently, and incredibly expensive. Good show, chaps!
Now can someone explain to me why Cadillac can't create an Eldorado Biarritz based on the DTS? They use that car in their current ad campaign, bright pink, tail fins & all, and almost everyone knows and loves that car. What's wrong with making a new one, if only as a show car? Just take a DTS, make it a two door, yank the center pillar, orient the headlights vertically, smush down the trunklid & viola! An Eldo Biarritz. Does anyone else see the value in this?
ateixeira says:
01:45 PM, 03/ 6/07
It'll match with your yacht. :-)
estreka says:
05:52 PM, 03/ 6/07
I tell ya, if I had that kind of money, I wouldn't buy one either. It doesn't appeal to me.
adeez says:
01:12 PM, 03/ 7/07
I dont like this at all. It looks atleast 40 years old. Horrible.
roar02ram says:
12:37 AM, 03/ 8/07
Yes, it looks old, but that's the point! It's a fantastic rendition of classic Bentley elegance.