2009 Bentley Brooklands - a REALLY big coupe

cpruitt submitted on 02/05/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 2:58 PM
from: www.motortrend.com

Tags: 2009 Bentley Brooklands, first drive

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2009 Bentley Brooklands

first drive

2009 Bentley Brooklands - a REALLY big coupe

At first glance, it's hard to tell how big the Bentley Brooklands really is. It looms into view, like a battleship steaming over the horizon and just keeps on looming the closer you get. It's not until you're standing right next to the Brooklands you realize, with a shock, that the damn thing is rolling on 20-inch wheels. They look like 18s.

The Brooklands is a coupe of titanic proportions: a 213-inch two-door that's almost as long as a Lincoln Town Car, and, at 5853 pounds, weighs about as much as a Chevy Suburban. It has an engine that could power the Titanic, too. The ageless 6.75-liter V-8 under the hood (its basic architecture dates back almost half a century) develops 530 horsepower and an axle-twisting 774 lb-ft of torque at 3250 rpm. It's the most powerful V-8 ever from Crewe, and the world's torquiest automotive engine.

Bentleys have always been big, heavy, and fast -- Ettore Bugatti once sneeringly dubbed the Le Mans-winning Bentleys of the late 1920s "the fastest trucks in Europe." The Brooklands is big, it's heavy, and it sure is fast. But it doesn't feel like a truck.

It may not have a surfeit of valves, there's nary an overhead cam in sight, and the redline is a Peterbilt-like 4600 rpm, but the 6.75-liter V-8 under the hood, which traces its origins to a 1950s Packard design, is stunningly effective. Nail the gas and this gargantuan coupe launches like a Saturn V, gentle at first as the engine overcomes inertia, then, at about 2500 rpm, it's like someone lit an afterburner as the twin turbos start pumping max boost.

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cdoke - 2/5/2008 3:17:20 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The Brooklands is so stunningly beautiful- it is the car I desire above all others.

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EnnNorak - 2/5/2008 11:11:16 PM

+1 Boost

Me too cdoke, if I were allowed to have only one car my entire life, this is the one.

TheSailor - 2/5/2008 3:18:49 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Now that is a coupe which is easy to live with... If you've got the cash to fill the tank!

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w209w114 - 2/5/2008 3:22:21 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Please, what a silly thing to say. These people dont care if gas was $20 a gallon. Like the old saying goes, if you have to ask, you cant afford it.

TheSailor - 2/5/2008 3:32:32 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Ohh come on! I hate when I have to explain a joke!

Anyway, I'll do it, just for you: Coupes are usually not the most versatile cars because they don't have any room, but this has acres of interior space, so it is easy to live with, however it is a tad bit more expnsive than your average coupe and a tad more thirsty... Mmmmkay pumpkin? Get the joke now?

w209w114 - 2/5/2008 3:41:31 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Pumpkin? Thats PUMPKIN CAKES to you. And nobody buys a coupe for interior space LOL.... ahhh, least u tried.

TheSailor - 2/5/2008 4:12:16 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

ARghhhhhhhh... I give up... Just forget it...

w209w114 - 2/5/2008 3:20:42 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Not only is this Luxury at its finest, its LIMITED at its finest too. EVen if you have the money to pay for it, youre going to have to get in line and wish luck.

Explains why a couple paid more than 100K over the sticker price at the Winter Wine Festival in Naples, Florida.

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EnnNorak - 2/5/2008 11:15:03 PM

+2 Boost

Anyone who pays over MSRP is either not a good negotiator or is not financially responsible. It's a matter of principle -- a fool and his money are soon parted.

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/5/2008 3:21:51 PM

+2 Boost

Elegant, refined, and stunningly beautiful. Grace in motion.

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AWDturbo - 2/5/2008 3:22:38 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

That a huge car, with tons of tq.

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w209w114 - 2/5/2008 3:26:39 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Theres still something about that "old luxury" that captivates my senses. I dont care what Audi says

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TauronB2G - 2/5/2008 3:39:03 PM

0 Boost

Doesn't Audi own Bentley???? Or at the least aren't they a part of the VW group that builds new and old luxury cars?
T

w209w114 - 2/5/2008 3:59:21 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

I'm well aware Tauron. I was speaking from brand to brand, not on behalf of the (brand)Group.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2008 5:35:48 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

And yet, new luxury is looking pretty stunning...

How about both? An R8 and a Brooklands together doesn't sound bad to me.

EnnNorak - 2/5/2008 11:18:43 PM

+2 Boost

Same company owns both Audi and Bentley and the A8L Audi offers way better value. The Brooklands Coupe has more of "it makes you feel good" than any other vehicle I know -- it's something intangible that is hard to place a fair value on.

vman1013 - 2/6/2008 1:52:27 PM

0 Boost

You can't mention Audi in the same breath as this Bentley. I don't care if the same Company invested the equity to own both brands.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 2/5/2008 3:37:29 PM

+2 Boost

What a car this is.

ths is bentley at their very best

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JRobUSC - 2/5/2008 3:43:04 PM

0 Boost

I'd still rather have a Rolls.

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w209w114 - 2/5/2008 4:01:30 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Id stick to Bentley so I can drive it myself. I wouldnt want to drive a Rolls, much more prefer to be driven in one.

pushrod27 - 2/5/2008 4:06:48 PM

-2 Boost

i would rather have a Rolls, too. The Brooklands is great, but have you seen the upcoming Phantom coupe? It's basically the 101Ex concept car. Something about the Phantom grill and that brushed aluminum hood turns me on.

ThierryHenry14 - 2/5/2008 4:47:09 PM

-1 Boost

I would love to have either. I mean, its a win-win situation with either the Brooklands or the Phantom Coupe.

w209w114 - 2/5/2008 4:47:23 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

The phantom coupe is a different story. :) Agree with pushrod on that one.

EnnNorak - 2/5/2008 11:21:44 PM

+1 Boost

w209w114, I would not trust anyone else to drive it. I'm one of these guys that goes to a restaurant with valet parking and I tell the guy to f off as I'd rather park it myself.

1970toyotamarc - 2/5/2008 3:51:49 PM

-1 Boost

Stunning, that ancient body looks so much better as a coupe than the 4 door. But really, isnt it time to upgrade that platform? This is still essentially the rebadged last gen Rolls platform.

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w209w114 - 2/5/2008 4:02:57 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

They say that if it aint broke dont fix it. Proof is the huge success of the Mercedes G-Wagen.

TheSailor - 2/5/2008 4:53:18 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

The gelindewagen was only such a huge success because it is used by military forces in several european countries... Not because it is a good car (believe me, I've driven it)... The civil version was just a by-product since they were producing it anyway...

w209w114 - 2/5/2008 5:34:43 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

Its is indeed a good car. As a matter of fact someobe in my family is in charge of parts and service at a major Mercedes dealership here in Miami, FL and he says that the G-Wagen or Gelandewagen (as you butchered it in spelling)has been one of the most reliable models. They barely come in with problems.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2008 5:37:27 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

But it doesn't drive well, its rear seat is useless, it sucks gas and it's slow.

TheSailor - 2/5/2008 5:54:17 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

And THAT is why the military use them... Do you have any idea of the actual sales of them? They are rudementary and very very basic... As a matter of fact, I don't have anything to do with the g anymore what so ever, but what I do know is that I wouldn't own one if they threw one at me and that civil sales are dismall... It is in no way a good car, it is the nearest Mercedes has come to producing a crap-box... Comming from one who has driven them - alot... Both on and offroad... It can take a beating for sure, but just because it has a threepointed star on the front, it doesn't have to be a good car (unless ofcause you live in some pretentious suburb where the badge is all that counts)...

BTW: Nice one trying to humiliate me... If you want to correct someone, be sure to do it right (elseway you look double stupid)... I spelled it with an "I" because I know americans can't pronounce it the way it is spelled, however "gelindewagen" is very close to how it is pronounced... If you want to spell it correctly, it is geländewagen (that umlaut makes one hell of a difference to how it is pronounced)... using an "a" makes no sence at all as it doesn't sound anything like the actual name.

w209w114 - 2/6/2008 1:09:16 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Sailor,

I find it amusing that youre the one who brags of having read and studied German and now you backtrack saying you misspelled it on purpose for us stupid Americans. Well all I have to say to you is that you're full of nothing but a huge ego and biased opinions.

I dont care if you dont like the G. Truth of the matter is that it still has wide appeal and people continue to dish out big bucks for these cars, which explains why Mercedes brought it back by popular demand after considering having it pulled off the US market.

TheSailor - 2/6/2008 3:33:23 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

LOL... did I offend you? poor little pretentious mercedes owner - buuhuu - couldn't come back with anything but the "you used the 'stupid americans' trick"? Well, no I didn't, but I'm tired of americans trying to pronounce words in their own special way, and gelindewagen is the way to pronounce it. No suck it up and stop caling it the "ge-lande-wagon"! try this Ge-linde-vagon... Then the germans might even know what you are on about if you ever go there and start running over with pretentiousness as mercedes-owners so often do!

BTW... I did a little search just for the hell of it... The G-class is so darn successfull in the US that they sold a whopping 110 units in january... that is more than 3 pr day (half of them are probably sold to the armed forces anyway)... WOW... I'm sure that is the reason why mercedes is keeping the production line open. Or maybe it is because they have long term agreements with different military forces all over the world... Hmm...

And I don't even know why you are so eager to protect this hunk'o'junk... It isn't even built by Mercedes, it is built by an austrian subcontractor (Magna Steyr) on a design made in a joined venture with an Austrian moped manufacturer (puch) and the Shah of Iran... Really something for all Mercedes owners to be proud of!

w209w114 - 2/6/2008 2:15:56 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Offend me? AT all. Youre the one who couldn't come back with anything but a childish "Buhuhhh" (real mature on your part) We arent speaking here, instead typing so what difference does it make how its pronounced? Fact is you are backtracking.

BTW... your little research fell short and your claims that half of them are probably sold to the armed forces anyway? Is purely an ignorant guess on your part as the US Army doesnt buy the G, its PURELY a civilian vehicle here althought it could be good enough for the armed forces.

For you it may be a hunk of junk, but for others it is one of the best vehicles in its class, and a timeless classic attracting the likes of the wealthy and famous.

TheSailor - 2/6/2008 6:50:08 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

USMC FAV... Look it up

TheSailor - 2/6/2008 6:51:00 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

IFAV even

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2008 5:37:55 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

This coupe is just sensational.

It's a perfect update on the Arnage/Brooklands body.

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henbmw - 2/5/2008 6:40:05 PM

+3 Boost

IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE

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Dr550 - 2/5/2008 7:26:28 PM

-2 Boost

Beautiful body and powerful engine, what a package.

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Hachee2001 - 2/5/2008 8:34:03 PM

0 Boost

There's no sense in comparing this car to anything else...it's magnificent. A bit too flash for me, but I can almost see myself wanting one (let's forget about the price right now).

And while I definitely couldn't see owning and wouldn't want a Rolls (either Phantom), I'm sure glad it exists. As a car enthusiast, you have to recognize the "need" to have a car like this around. There's nothing else like it on the road, which is exactly what a Rolls should be like.

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bs5000 - 2/5/2008 9:05:38 PM

+3 Boost

beautiful, powerful and elegant
nicer then the Rolls Royce 101ex

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/6/2008 8:47:10 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

You just don't get it, do you?

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chewy - 2/6/2008 12:26:30 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

It is very elegant. But I am waiting for the new Bentley flagship sedan/coupe based on latest techonoly with the W16 for about 650 horsepower. Or the V12 TDI.

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EnvyofyouRS5 - 2/6/2008 1:22:55 AM

0 Boost

this is what the flagship coupe of bentley should have been from the begining. I'm glad that wasnt the cae because "artist's" would be bragging about this car, and it's in another league than being another music video car.
These things wont be at any rental company seeing as only around 50 are left to purchase. Bentley is new old luxury the 2000 concept shows they're always thinking about innovativeness. Something Rolls has yet to show, but not sure Rolls will break from the Classic historical Refinement Niche.

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M35MT - 2/6/2008 8:11:39 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

It's an impressive machine and I respect it for what it is, but I would rather have several 100k cars than one for 300k.

But, if you can afford this, you can afford anything...I should've skipped this article.

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/6/2008 8:51:11 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Your second paragraph took the words out of my mouth. People buying this car already have three $100K cars.

Steve - 2/7/2008 4:34:19 PM

+1 Boost

Bentley's styling is a delight! It is classically influence, but without being staid. It is contemporary without being trendy. The Continental GTC is my dream car.

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