The art of sculpting a coupe that is both breathtaking to behold and possesses the soul of a grand tourer is a delicate task. The 2008 Bentley Brooklands (second gen) fosters this very balance, a coupe that doesn't just meet expectations but transcends them. Bentley's Brooklands is a grand tourer that marries the raw power of a supercar and the serene luxury of a drawing room. Underneath its hood lives a hulking 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine pumping a beastly 530 horsepower and loads of torques. Of course, complementing such refined power is a sleek, quite streamlined exterior that blends aerodynamics with classic Bentley cues and styling to reveal one of the most iconic coupe profiles ever. Still, this luxury cruiser from Bentley came in limited numbers, creating an exclusive club. So, unsurprisingly, prices were as grand as the car itself, beginning from an eye-watering $400,000 mark. Regardless, the Brooklands has held its value pretty well, commanding an average of $138,044 in used markets.
In 1992, Bentley announced the successor of the outgoing Mulsanne S and Eight Models – a four-door, full-sized luxury saloon named in honour of the brand's illustrious racing heritage at a racetrack circuit in Surrey. The Brooklands stood as an entry-level variant of the contemporary Bentley Turbo R, sacrificing performance for a low price tag. While luxurious, the non-turbocharged engine left it feeling sluggish and overwhelmingly slow for a Bentley. Eventually, Bentley addressed this in 1996 through a mid-cycle update, which added a light-pressure turbo for increased responsiveness and acceleration. Production for the first-gen Brooklands pursued until 1998, during which Bentley introduced yet another Brooklands variant, called the Brooklands R, which borrowed the more potent twin-turbo V8 from the Turbo R. Fast forward to 2008, Bentley revived the Brooklands name once more, now replacing the existing Continental R and T. In fact, it was essentially a striking hard-top coupe version of the Azure. Production for the coupe was limited to 550 units only, ensuring its exclusivity and coveted status among collectors and enthusiasts.
The 2008 Bentley Brooklands draws its power from a 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8 engine outputting a beastly 500 horsepower and an earth-spinning 1,050 Nm of low-end torque. The power is routed to the rear wheels only via a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission, catapulting the 2.6-ton yacht-on-wheels to 60 mph in a blistering 5 seconds. Flat-out, it would achieve a soaring top speed of 184 mph. But, with great power comes great responsibility, and so the Brooklands has an insatiable thirst for fuel, returning an atrocious 12 miles to the gallon (combined). However, overshadowing the fuel consumption is the Brookland’s mushy, cloudy ride that couples Bentley’s signature air suspension and a muted, quite relaxed handling characteristic to ensure the cabin remains wonderfully isolated from road imperfections… for a price.
It is apparent that a lot of cows – 16, in fact – were sacrificed to sculpt a Brookland’s plush interior. With a choice of 25 distinctly supple leather hides, interior personalization is on the borderline of extravagance. The exclusivity, however, extends even further, evidenced by the door sills that proudly showcase your name in elegant italic characters. Regardless, the rich, soft-touch leather surfaces the cabin from the floor to the headliner, closely followed by solid, premium-feeling dials and switches that exude a jewellery-like quality. Meanwhile, lambswool-crafted carpets spread beneath your feet to complete the symphony of textures. Even wood trims shout 'opulence', offering a choice of highly distinct profiles and veneers that grace the centre console, dash, and door panels in hues and grains that harmonize with your yacht collection – of course. Of course, being a Bentley, hints of timeless elegance can be found in the old-school gauges and chrome-bezel dials, creating an uncluttered, quite clean interior aesthetic.
Echoing the inside, the outside flaunts a similar grandeur design influenced by Bentley’s storied heritage, elegance, and sculpted power. The long, flowing hood hides the bellowing twin-turbo V8, closely followed by a brief front overhang, defining the classic Bentley proportions. Also Bentley-esque are the signature ‘waterfall’ grille and the dual-round headlights that sit proudly upfront. Towards the side, a sleek, quite streamlined roof enters the picture, harmonizing with the classy 20-inch wheel and pillarless design before finally sweeping down to a tapered rear end. Speaking of the rear end, the C-pillars stand thick and proud, subtly hinting at the grand tourer’s sublime power. Meanwhile, flanking the iconic Bentley badge are elongated taillights, echoing the dual-round headlights up front to create a sense of visual cohesion.
Luckily, the 2008 Bentley Brooklands doesn't entirely rely on its opulent design or storied heritage; it also flaunts state-of-the-art technology that doesn’t shy away from modern convenience and supreme luxury. So, the Brooklands comes equipped with Bentley’s premium NAIM sound system, elevating the auditory experience to match the cabin's luxurious ambience. Also, amidst its classic, extremely refined interior lies an infotainment screen showcasing sat-nav and a backup camera for greater convenience. Meanwhile, heated (and powered) seats pair with the car's very own telephone to create a cocoon of comfort and connectivity. Safety-wise, though, the Brooklands incorporates carbon-fibre-composite brakes (ceramic-coated), ensuring its brute power remains in check.
With a coupe this exclusive and grand, it is only sensible to expect a price tag that matches such pedigree. So, new, the 2008 Bentley Brooklands retailed around $350,000, with room available for options. These included the $30k carbon-ceramic brakes, a $7k premium (NAIM) sound system, a $2.5k sat-nav infotainment screen, and – of course – a $3k retractable flying 'B' badge perched atop the front end. Still, with only 550 hand-assembled units, the Brooklands screams exclusivity, costing a bargain-ish $150,000 (and above) for well-preserved, optioned-out examples. Aspiring to join the exclusive Brooklands owners’ circle? Head to the Bentley listings at Exotic Car Trader now to find your dream Bentley Brooklands.
With enough torque to burst the rear tires and enough luxury to pamper the most discerning of tastes, the 2008 Bentley Brooklands exudes sheer opulence. An online marketplace, Exotic Car Trader curates an impressive portfolio of exotic cars eager to exchange hands. It presents a straightforward, highly precise exotic-car-buying process, guaranteeing a hassle-free buying experience. Additionally, it offers a solution to your exotic-car-selling needs with industry best practices and unparalleled expertise, ensuring safe and secure dealing. The Bentley Brooklands stands out as the pinnacle of luxury motoring, acting as a testament to Bentley’s legacy of craftsmanship and performance.
Exotic Car Trader is the fastest growing marketplace built specifically for automotive enthusiasts. Click below to learn how you can sell your car with us.
LEARN MORE
