Epic Bentley Brooklands | Spotted
As good as it gets, possibly forever
The subject of what Bentley should do next is always a slightly vexed one. Given the extent of its penetration into the global car-buying elite, and its relatively nimble scale as a manufacturer, it ought to have the world at its feet . But its position inside the VW Group, while crucial to its existence, has always been a double-edged sword. It must not only justify its place in the ongoing bunfight for future investment, but also fit into Wolfsburg’s (understandable) preoccupation with sharing platforms and other module-based technologies. Which is not always conducive to a first world increasingly obsessed with exclusivity.
At any rate, this both explains and justifies the idea of a Luxury Urban SUV, Bentley’s first-ever EV. The idea of yet another large, screen-filled battery-powered car might sound about as appealing as a gravel topping on your 99, but we are not the intended audience for the new flagship: it is primarily meant for wafting around global cities, and competing head-on with the likes of the Range Rover Electric. It makes total sense, in a world seen from a boardroom - especially when Bentley can point to the rear-drive, non-hybrid, two-seat Supersports as evidence of its beating heart.
But it doesn’t leave much space for something truly special; something, for example, in the mould of the unarguably fabulous Brooklands. Does any car, in today’s starchy times, need less explaining? There’s the technical aspect, sure (conceptually, it was an Azure with a roof, which meant it was also an Arnage underneath), and the wonderfulness of the 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8 - but really you only need to look at the thing, and drink in those oceanic proportions, to know that you’re not in Kansas anymore.
Of course, it helps additionally to know that it comes from the end times of old Bentley, it being the last hand-assembled broadsides fired from Crewe before the factory hauled itself into a glittering new era where it could build many cars at (what seemed like in comparison) warp speed. Enlightening too to think that the Continental GT was already a terrific success when VW signed off the idea of a limited edition (and hugely expensive) rear-drive masterstroke.
But it was always meant as a long goodbye to what Bentley used to be rather than a hint of what was yet to come. There was no direct replacement for the Brooklands, the Mulsanne replacing the Arnage two years later with a thoroughly modern flagship, with the GT left to carry the torch for anyone without the need for four doors. Little surprise then that prices have remained respectably buoyant two decades later - what collection of classic British cars wouldn’t be made more special by the inclusion of such a majestic specimen?
On that note, you might not find any better than this one. It is not unusual to find very modest miles on used Brooklands - they were always rated a collector’s item - but the presence of only four numbers on the odometer marks this one out as special. As does the exceptionally well-chosen combination of black sapphire over cashew. The service history and predictably spotless MOT record speak for themselves. As does the requirement for a POA. Regardless, it’ll be less than Bentley is going to charge for the pleasure of owning a Luxury Urban SUV, for something we’d imagine dispensing umpteen times the driving pleasure.
SPECIFICATION | BENTLEY BROOKLANDS
Engine: 6,750cc, V8, twin-turbo
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 537 @ 4,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 774 @ 3,250rpm
MPG: 14.5
CO2: 465g/km
Recorded mileage: 3,216
Year registered: 2008
Price new: c. £230,000
Yours for: POA
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19780820
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