REPORT: Bentley Mulsanne to spawn coupe and convertible to replace Brooklands and Azure
Bentley works on a two-tier system, with its entire product line-up based on a pair of platforms. At one end you've got the Continental family, including the GT coupe, GTC convertible and Flying Spur sedan. At the other sits the Arnage sedan, Azure convertible and Brooklands coupe (pictured above). Its separated step-sister Rolls-Royce is gearing up to follow the same formula with the Phantom range and the new Ghost, but with the introduction of the new Mulsanne, Bentley is expected to comprehensively shake up its top-tier offerings.
According to reports and substantiated by plain old logic, Bentley is planning to replace the Brooklands and Azure models with a new coupe and convertible to be based on the Mulsanne. That means that the Vickers-era platform will finally be retired, with the Mulsanne's more advanced chassis being put to further use for a pair of two-door models. No word on when the new Brooklands and Azure will debut, or for that matter what nameplate they'll carry, but expect them to evoke Bentley's golden racing era when they do.
Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Bentley Mulsanne
[Source: Auto Express]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gefinley 3:44PM (9/24/2009)
As long as they change they styling to go with the 2-doors.
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Venom 3:55PM (9/24/2009)
That makes sense even though the Mulsanne is butt ugly.
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Vlad 4:04PM (9/24/2009)
can't argue with that
Mark out West 8:49PM (9/28/2009)
Uh, wasn't the Brooklands Coupe widely touted as limited production of 525 units? Yeah, maybe the Mulsanne platform will appear as a coupe, but it isn't replacing the Brooklands.
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Yuck 4:10PM (9/24/2009)
I'm sure Chrysler (owner of all things AMC) would be willing to sell them the Matador nameplate.
Hey, maybe they can get a package deal for Pacer and Gremlin too...???
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mbslrm 4:14PM (9/24/2009)
It makes perfect sense...
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Soccer Mom 4:29PM (9/24/2009)
Perhaps it is just me, but I find that Mulsanne just hideous. Front fascia is hard to describe. Looks like a kit-car or work in progress. The side has a wave like a $8,000 Hyundai Elantra - looks cheap. Rear is totally uninspiring, with typical outdated taillight Bentley design.
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ugg.tryptophan 1:14AM (9/25/2009)
"typical outdated taillight Bentley design"
Bentleys designs are timeless...just my opinion
Mark out West 5:06PM (9/24/2009)
Image search on Google for "Bentley S2" and you'll see the design antecedents for the Mulsanne. Bentley is smart to tie back to their legacy - it sells well among their intended market of well-off middle-aged guys. You're buying the history as much as the car. And given the goofy headlights on the Rollers, I'd say Bentley is at least as attractive, if not more so.
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Visnick 5:40PM (9/24/2009)
Say can we get a high def pic of the Brooklands, Arnage and Azure by the golden gate?
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Mike Se7en 6:53PM (9/24/2009)
Here it is in 1920x1200
http://custom.netcarshow.com/b386e115.jpg
Mike Se7en 6:54PM (9/24/2009)
Here it is in widescreen 1920x1200
http://custom.netcarshow.com/b386e115.jpg
Visnick 8:19PM (9/24/2009)
Many thanks!
P.V. 6:07PM (9/24/2009)
It was common sense but nonetheless good to hear.
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halcm 6:00AM (9/25/2009)
It would be quite difficult to build a coupe as beautiful and as well proportioned as the Brooklands
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