UNUSUAL CARS MODEL GUIDE
The 2008–10 Bentley Brooklands was a hand-built, four-seat coupé based on the Arnage platform and styled as the closed counterpart to the Azure. Its 530bhp twin-turbo 6.75-litre V8 made it the most powerful Bentley of its type, while production was limited to no more than 550 cars.
Quick answer: the Brooklands is exceptionally rare, heavy and fast. Its greatest risks are not obscure design flaws but the cost of neglected Arnage-derived mechanical systems, unique coupé bodywork, enormous brakes and wheels, electronics and model-specific trim. Buy only after a Bentley-specialist inspection.
Featured image: silver Bentley Brooklands Coupé rear three-quarter. Photograph by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; locally hosted.
The last coachbuilt-style Crewe coupé
Bentley presented the Brooklands at Geneva in 2006 and began deliveries in 2008. The name recalled both the Surrey racing circuit and Bentley’s 1990s saloon, but the new car was a pillarless two-door grand tourer. It shared its basic structure with the Arnage and Azure while receiving unique rear quarters, roof, doors and cabin treatment.
The twin-turbo 6.75-litre V8 produced 530bhp and 1,050Nm, driving through a six-speed ZF automatic. Bentley quoted 0–62mph in 5.3 seconds and 183mph despite a kerb weight around 2,725kg. Production ended in January 2010 as the long-running Crewe V8 and Arnage platform approached retirement.
Brooklands specifications
| Item | Factory figure |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6,761cc twin-turbocharged Bentley V8 |
| Power | 530bhp |
| Torque | 1,050Nm |
| Transmission | Six-speed ZF automatic, rear-wheel drive |
| 0–62mph | 5.3 seconds |
| Maximum speed | 183mph |
| Production limit | No more than 550 cars |
Secondary market records sometimes quote a lower number of customer cars than Bentley’s announced maximum. Treat factory build documentation as the authority for an individual example rather than relying on repeated online totals.
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Engine, cooling and transmission
The final-generation 6.75-litre V8 is extremely understressed in normal driving but produces enormous heat and torque. Inspect radiator, auxiliary coolers, hoses, fans, water pump, intercoolers and turbo plumbing. Oil leaks, smoke, uneven boost or warning lights require immediate specialist diagnosis. Service intervals must be supported by invoices.
The six-speed automatic should engage immediately and shift almost imperceptibly at light throttle, then respond decisively under load. Check fluid leaks, mounts, propeller shaft, differential and electronic control. A full-power test belongs with an experienced technician because faults can be masked during gentle urban driving.
Brakes, suspension and tyres
The Brooklands could be specified with enormous carbon-silicon-carbide brakes, while other cars use conventional iron discs. Establish which system is fitted and obtain a precise replacement-cost assessment. Cracked or worn carbon-ceramic components can transform the economics of a purchase.
Inspect adaptive dampers, self-levelling hardware, bushes, ball joints, steering and wheel bearings. Large wheels are easily damaged and correct high-speed tyres are expensive. Uneven wear may indicate alignment problems, worn suspension or accident damage.
Bodywork and cabin
Unique doors, roof panels, side glass, seals, lamps and rear bodywork make collision damage especially serious. Check paint depth, panel gaps, door hinge wear and glass alignment. Water leaks around the pillarless windows can harm leather, carpets and electronics.
The cabin contains extensive electric adjustment, climate control, entertainment and convenience systems. Test every function, including seat movement, memory, windows, soft-close mechanisms where fitted, navigation, parking sensors and tyre-pressure monitoring. Veneer, leather and brightwork should be complete and consistent with the build sheet.
Rarity is not a substitute for condition
The Brooklands is collectible because it represents the final, most powerful development of the traditional Crewe coupé, but rarity also makes poor repairs and missing trim harder to correct. Confirm chassis, factory specification, colour, options and service campaigns through Bentley records.
A pre-purchase inspection should include an underside examination, diagnostic scan, hot cooling test, gearbox and differential checks, brake measurement and confirmation of tyre age. Budget for the car as a low-volume flagship, not as an inexpensive used coupé.
Sources and further reading
- Bentley Heritage Collection: Brooklands Final Series
- Bentley: history of the 6.75-litre V8
- PistonHeads: Bentley Brooklands used buying guide
Continue the Bentley story
Explore the complete Bentley hub. Continue with the Bentley Continental R and Bentley Arnage.
Frequently asked questions
How many Bentley Brooklands Coupés were made?
Bentley announced a production limit of no more than 550 cars. Some secondary records quote fewer completed customer cars, so verify an individual car through factory documentation.
What engine does the 2008 Bentley Brooklands use?
It uses a 6,761cc twin-turbocharged Bentley V8 producing 530bhp and 1,050Nm.
How fast is the Bentley Brooklands Coupé?
Bentley quoted 0–62mph in 5.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 183mph.
Does the Bentley Brooklands have four seats?
Yes. It is a large four-seat grand tourer with two doors and a pillarless coupé body.
What should be checked before buying one?
Inspect cooling, turbo and engine systems, six-speed gearbox, differential, suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres, unique bodywork, window seals, electronics and factory provenance.
