To say that one experiences a tremendous sense of occasion when driving the most expensive production Bentley in existence is no small understatement. Whereas the Continental range and all its derivatives have pathed the way to a bigger clientele for the Crewe-based manufacturer, the Azure-based Brooklands Coupé is a marvellous throwback to particularly exclusive and statuesque Bentleys of yore. Only 550 of these opulently appointed and sumptuously finished grand tourers will be produced and according to Ian Gorsuch, Bentley’s regional director for Middle East, Africa and India, one of these machines, which Rens Rademeyer of Bentley SA claims will cost well over R5 million in South Africa, have already been ordered by an obviously well-heeled and decidely discerning South African customer.
So, what can that fortunate South African customer expect from his or her Brooklands’ driving experience? Powered by a hand-built twin-turbocharged 6,75-litre V8 that produces 395 kW at 4 000 r/min and no less than 1 050 N.m of torque, the Brooklands arguably produces more torque than any other V8 currently in production. And, thanks to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, this low-revving, bass burbling powerplant propels the Brooklands from zero to 100 km/h in just over 5 seconds and on to a top speed of close to 300 km/h.
All that is required to unlock that herculean power reserve is a firm prod on the accelerator pedal (it’s hard to feather the Bentley’s throttle pedal – the 3 tonne-machine does take a brief pause to shoot off the mark) and then the mammoth V8 clears its throat, bassoons like some of the legendary racing machines it was modelled after and intersperses the din with high-piched hisses courtesy of the turbochargers’ wastegates. Now remember to apply enough pressure on the brake pedal while you and your Bentley barrel toward a bend at the proverbial break-neck velocity – it all happens in a blink of an eye and the roads in the North of Italy seem mcuh narrower than I remember them to be.
Make no mistake, the Bentley is a sizeable car, but when you enter the leather-bound cabin (EVERYTHING is finished in either genuine wood, seas of smooth, sumptuous leather and thick-pile carpeting) that low-slung roof adds to an intimate atmosphere. All the little dials in the retro dashboard have traditional white on black lettering, the switchgear looks chromed and feels chunky to the touch and the doors clunk shut with a reassuring thud. The Crewe-based manufacturer has reverted to a combination of stitching and piping in the leather seat trim and I can honestly report that at least one and a half dozen cattle hides are consumed in the production of the floor-to-roof upholstery. Even the lavish burr walnut trim in the dashboard, centre console and doors have symmetrical patterns and knots – because they’re made from the very same piece of wood. According to the manufacturer, there are 1,35 billion possible exterior and interror trim combinations on offer for the Brooklands.
Rear occupants of a Bentley Brooklands are in for a REAL treat. Whereas all the sports coupés or grand tourers that I have sampled offer either barely sufficient or nominal rear legroom (not to mention headroom), the Brooklands has ample room for at least two full sized adults. I am 1,88 metres tall and when I grabbed the chance to be chaffeur driven by one of my international media colleagues, I could sit comfortably in the electrically-reclining, separately-heated rear seats with my knees together and had more of a fist-ful of headroom to spare. What’s more, there’s stunning attention to detail in the shiny electric-window switches, the oval reading light bevels and buttons and the retro pull-type ventilation controls. I did, however, discern a feint whistle of wind noise near the rear corner of the trapezoidal windows at freeway speeds, but on the plus side, the Brooklands’ ride quality was exemplary – especially if one considers the large rims and sportier suspension configuration.
Shod with glamorous gleaming rims and 20-inch rubber, detailed with pronounced stainless steel accents in the grille and front air intakes air and endowed with broad shoulder lines over the rear wheel arches, the Brooklands has a tremendous presence… It is not the most avant garde design in the automotive world and it may be viewed as a vulgar symbol of conspicuous consumption, but the newcomer succeeds in being what it was conceived to be… The most exclusive car that Bentley has in its product lineup. According to the Crewe-based manufacturer, more than 500 of the 550 examples planned for production are already spoken for – by the time my full driving impression of the Brooklands appears in the May issue of CAR – there may be few, if any, still available. Oh, where did I leave the old bank manager’s number, then?