Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/video-worlds-longest-scalectric-track-assembled-at-brooklands/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/video-worlds-longest-scalectric-track-assembled-at-brooklands/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/video-worlds-longest-scalectric-track-assembled-at-brooklands/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

When Great Britain's Brooklands motor racing circuit opened in 1907, it was the first purpose-built motorsport venue in the world. At 2.75 miles, the course is an oldie but a goodie, and the perfect place to make automotive history. To that end, on August 16, legendary slot racing brand Scalextric, along with hoards of volunteers, built the world's largest slot car track around the Brooklands circuit in Surrey. The track was built using 20,000 sections, built over roads, water, wilderness and just about any other condition one could imagine. That's an impressive feat that is more remarkable when considering that power and remote control had to be built into the Guinness record braking track.

The recordbreaking slot track race will be featured by Top Gear host James May in his new BBC2 series James May's Toy Stories. May even raised the checkered flag at the conclusion of the world's longest slot car race. Hit the jump to watch the building and racing of this amazing slot track, as well as a second video that features May waving the checkered flag at the conclusion of the race.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates

VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.75 mile track2.75MileTrackbbcbrooklandsGuinessGuinnessguinness book of world recordsGuinnessBookOfWorldRecordsjames mayJamesMayscalectricslot carslot car racingSlotCarSlotCarRacingtop gearTopGearWed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Very First Drive: 2009 Bentley Brooklands]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/14/very-first-drive-2009-bentley-brooklands/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/14/very-first-drive-2009-bentley-brooklands/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/14/very-first-drive-2009-bentley-brooklands/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Bentley Brooklands - Click above for high-res image gallery

As the youngest of three brothers, I'm used to hand-me-downs. Hand-me down toys, hand-me-down clothes, and yes, even hand-me-down cars. Perhaps this explains when a vehicle arrives in the Autoblog Garage with over 8,000 journalist-driven miles on its odometer (as most do), I don't mind. Though the scars of past judgments are often plain to see, we're happy enough to be reviewing these vehicles at all.

Last Wednesday I stepped off a plane at Newark Liberty International Airport and into a 2009 Bentley Brooklands. My mission was to drive it some 550 miles to Cleveland, OH where it would be picked up and driven back to Bentley's North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI. When I got in, the odometer read 285 miles... total. I realized then that this was no hand-me-down review vehicle. Having been parked in Bentley's display at the 2008 New York Auto Show for the past three weeks, this Brooklands was taking its maiden voyage on U.S. soil with me at the helm.


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Bentley Brooklands


Photos Copyright (C)2008 John Neff / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Very First Drive: 2009 Bentley Brooklands

Very First Drive: 2009 Bentley Brooklands originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 bentley brooklands2009BentleyBrooklandsbentleybentley brooklandsBentleyBrooklandsbrooklandsfeaturedfirst drivefirst drive bentley brooklandsFirstDriveFirstDriveBentleyBrooklandsMon, 14 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bentley sells 10,014 cars during record 2007]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/14/bentley-breaks-10-000-units-sold-for-record-2007/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/14/bentley-breaks-10-000-units-sold-for-record-2007/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/14/bentley-breaks-10-000-units-sold-for-record-2007/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image for a hi-res gallery of our Autoblog Garage Continental GTC

2007 was good to the folks in Crewe, as Bentley Motors had its best year ever. (What, no VH1 special?) For the first time, the automaker surpassed the 10,000 mark in terms of vehicles sold -- a tenfold increase over where it stood just five years ago. Both Arnage and Continental family sales were up -- 45-percent for the former, thanks to the arrival of the new Azure, and 5-percent for the latter with the GTC leading the way. The record-high sales led to new high points for both net revenue (€1.37 billion) and operating profit (€155 million). This level of volume is pretty much where the automaker would like to settle going forward, as it lets Bentley stay exclusive while still returning a profit. Us? We're just trying to figure out a way to tap into the joys of ownership ourselves. Follow the jump for Bentley's full press release and some assorted eye candy.

[Source: Bentley Motors]

Continue reading Bentley sells 10,014 cars during record 2007

Bentley sells 10,014 cars during record 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arnageazurebentley 2007 recordbentley 2007 volumeBentley2007RecordBentley2007VolumebrooklandscontinentalcrewegtcFri, 14 Mar 2008 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Pebble Beach Week 2007: The beasts of Brooklands shake up Pebble]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/pebble-beach-week-2007-the-beasts-of-brooklands-shake-up-pebble/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/pebble-beach-week-2007-the-beasts-of-brooklands-shake-up-pebble/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/pebble-beach-week-2007-the-beasts-of-brooklands-shake-up-pebble/#commentsFiled under: ,



Exactly five score years ago, 200,000 tons of gravel and cement were arranged in a 2.75 mile, high-banked, egg-shaped loop in the English countryside. The land was was called Brooklands, and the track laid on it -- the first purpose-built race track in the world -- would share the same name. The speed limit throughout the land at the time was 20 mph, and racing on public roads outside of things like hillclimbs was forbidden. When Brooklands was completed, in June of 1907, there was a place where drivers could -- and did -- go faster than 100 mph.

At Pebble Beach this year, there were some of the greatest racers that Brooklands has ever known, from the world record holding Napier-Railton pictured above to the world record holding Blitzen Benz. It was a fantastic display of ancient motoring monsters, some having airplane engines and capacities measured by dozens of liters. Click Read to get the full story.

Click the gallery to see hi-res images of the Brooklands Centenary race cars at Pebble Beach .


Continue reading Pebble Beach Week 2007: The beasts of Brooklands shake up Pebble

Pebble Beach Week 2007: The beasts of Brooklands shake up Pebble originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antiqueBrooklandscentennarycentennialConcours d'EleganceConcoursD'elegancehistoricPebble BeachPebbleBeachracersracingvintageTue, 21 Aug 2007 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: The Bentley's just so crazy about that jazz]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/08/video-the-bentleys-just-so-crazy-about-that-jazz/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/08/video-the-bentleys-just-so-crazy-about-that-jazz/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/08/video-the-bentleys-just-so-crazy-about-that-jazz/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Somebody buying a Bentley Brooklands isn't so concerned with how it performs, how it stacks up to the competition or how much it costs. They're far more taken by the Bentley-ness of the whole thing, that je ne sais quoi, a certain indescribable quality that you just can't put your finger on, lest the car's owner release the hounds...so you'd better get your own.

Put yourself in that mindset before you watch the following video. Imagine you've got all the money and taste in the world and ignore the notion that the Continental GT is the better performer, because the "baby Bentley" is just so nouveau riche. Now pour yourself a brandy, light up a cigar and enjoy what amounts to little more than some black and white footage of a land yacht accompanied by some acid jazz...jaaaazzzz!

[Source: The Hollywood Extra]

Continue reading VIDEO: The Bentley's just so crazy about that jazz

VIDEO: The Bentley's just so crazy about that jazz originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleyblackbrooklandsjazzvideowhiteSun, 08 Jul 2007 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Bentley Brooklands: Year 1 allotment sold out (officially)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/13/bentley-brooklands-year-1-allotment-sold-out-officially/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/13/bentley-brooklands-year-1-allotment-sold-out-officially/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/13/bentley-brooklands-year-1-allotment-sold-out-officially/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image for high-res photo gallery

This may be the least-surprising item in today's news. It was reported before, but now we have it from the horse's mouth: first-year production of Bentley's limited-run Brooklands mega-coupé is officially sold out. The car is totally handcrafted, and its long, chop-top-looking profile actually begins its life as the body of an Azure convertible, to which the Brooklands' steel roof is hand-welded. That's just one part of the very labor-intensive process behind the car's creation, which is why it's being limited to just 550 units overall.

Its 6.75L V8 makes 530 horsepower and a ridiculous 774 lb-ft of torque, which conspire to give the Brooklands a 0-60 time of 5 seconds flat and a top speed of 184. Not too shabby for a car whose curb weight is within throwing distance of 3 tons. It also boasts the most spacious rear passenger compartment of any coupe, and as is the case with any Bentley, the options surrounding colors, materials and trim are virtually limitless. As for the remaining cars in the 550-vehicle total run, it's not a matter of if they'll go, but when. This is opulence in its most meticulously-detailed form. We love it.

Bentley's new press release on the car, which goes into great detail, including full tech specs, is pasted after the jump. The Flying B people released 28 new photos, too, and they've been added to the gallery below.

[Source: Bentley Motors]

Gallery: Bentley Brooklands

Continue reading Bentley Brooklands: Year 1 allotment sold out (officially)

Bentley Brooklands: Year 1 allotment sold out (officially) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brooklandssold outSoldOutWed, 13 Jun 2007 20:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Bentley Brooklands sells out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/11/bentley-brooklands-sells-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/11/bentley-brooklands-sells-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/11/bentley-brooklands-sells-out/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click the image above to view our 47-image Brooklands gallery

If you have at least $330,000 to spend on your next new car, and you've got an eye on the new Bentley Brooklands, you'd better get your order in before they're all gone. The first 140 are already spoken for, which equates to the first year of production. Any new orders will have to wait two years before the order is filled.

Production of the 530hp ultraluxury vehicle will only hit 550 units during its three-year run, and the Brooklands will most certainly meet that quota. Bentley marketing director Stuart McCullough told BusinessWeek that the incredibly low production volume of the Brooklands is due in part to the hundreds of different options available for the mega-coupe. It should also be noted that the painstaking task of creating the car itself is time-consuming, yet another reason the overall production run will be a low number. Remember that each Brooklands begins life as one of Bentley's Azure convertibles, to which the hard roof is then hand-welded. In any case, the amazing degree to which the cars can be personalized (most Bentleys roll out of the factory with around $30,000 - $50,000 of customization...some with much, much more) will likely ensure that no two Brooklands will ever be alike. We're not experts, but we get the feeling these 550 Bentleys will probably never depreciate much, unless, of course, Eddie Griffin takes the wheel...

[Source: BusinessWeek via coolbrit.net]

Bentley Brooklands sells out originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AudibentleybrooklandsLuxury carLuxuryCarPorscheVWWed, 11 Apr 2007 09:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Motor Show: Bentley Brooklands bows]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/geneva-motor-show-bentley-brooklands-bows/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/geneva-motor-show-bentley-brooklands-bows/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/geneva-motor-show-bentley-brooklands-bows/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click on the image above to view our 47-image high-resolution gallery

It's been several years since the boys at Bentley had a full-size - and we mean full-size - luxury coupe to top off its range of traditional offerings to the well-heeled, and with the official unveiling of the new Bentley Brooklands they've done it in grand style. Superseding the Continental line of coupe, cabrio and sedan, the Brooklands joins the Arnage and Azure to round out Bentley's most exclusive product range.

We were the first to bring you a gallery of images as they hit the net, but it's hard to get your head around just how big this behemoth really is without witnessing the hand-crafted two-door limousine in person. Suffice it to say that it's fitting they named the Brooklands after a tract of land: it's large enough to be classified as a territory unto itself, and with 775 lb-ft of torque it's got enough grunt to uproot anything on it.

You'll find the press release after the jump, and our updated high-resolution image gallery below, complete with live shots from Geneva.

Gallery: Bentley Brooklands

Continue reading Geneva Motor Show: Bentley Brooklands bows

Geneva Motor Show: Bentley Brooklands bows originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arnageautoazurebentleybrooklandscontinentalcoupegenevasalonshowWed, 07 Mar 2007 23:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Motor Show: Bentley has us at hello with Brooklands coupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/06/geneva-motor-show-bentley-has-us-at-hello-with-brooklands-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/06/geneva-motor-show-bentley-has-us-at-hello-with-brooklands-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/06/geneva-motor-show-bentley-has-us-at-hello-with-brooklands-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above image to view 23 high-res images of the new Bentley Brooklands coupe

Bentley describes its new Brooklands coupe that's being unveiled right now in Geneva as a "grand touring coupe with classic British proportions." Yes, it certainly has classic British proportions if by that Bentley means it's as big as Britain itself. The new 2+2 coupe by the boys and girls from Crewe is named after the famed Brooklands banked race track in Surrey, England where Bentley made a name for itself in motorsports during the 1920s.

The Brookland's got a classic Bentley face, a modern profile (check out the fender vents!) with B-pillarless side glass and massive 20-inch wheels that shine with a mirror finish. The interior features typical Bentley craftsmanship, which means by-hand construction of the leather-lined surfaces and symmetrical wood trim. The rear passengers benefit from limo-like legroom and power adjustable cushions, as well. A prodigious amount of power is provided by Bentley's all-aluminum 6.75L turbocharged V8 with revised cams and a lower inertia turbo that helps push power to an even 500bhp and around 775 ft-lbs. of earth-wrinkling torque. Needless to say, 60 mph will come and go faster than your fat wallet. Only 505 Brooklands will be made by Bentley, making it one exclusive land yacht for the ridiculously wealthy. Deliveries are scheduled to start in the first half of 2008 for the sheiks, musicians and tech company moguls who will no doubt plunk down a deposit.

We've got plenty more shots of the Bentley Brooklands in our high-resolution gallery. We'll bring you live shots and the official press release as soon as we get our grubby hands on them.

[Source: Bentley]

Gallery: Bentley Brooklands

Geneva Motor Show: Bentley has us at hello with Brooklands coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2007 03:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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