It may only have been 8.30 in the morning, but the champagne was flowing liberally at Bentley— a little bit of decadence entirely fitting for the unveiling of car that evokes the hedonistic spirit of the firm’s 1920s and 30s heyday.

Named for the famous British racetrack that celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, the Brooklands coupe is head-turning without being overpowering. The large, 20-inch (51cm) wheels, short front and long rear overhangs, and long, tall bonnet are all hallmarks of traditional Bentley grand tourers. Visually it's large, sleek, powerful and unmistakably Bentley.

 

With a perfect upper-cut accent and classic English understatement, the car was described as "something rather special" by Bentley's chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen, whose distinctly un-English sounding name is the only clue that the classic British marquee is now part of the VW empire.

The Brooklands' "classic elegant proportions" help make it "the ultimate car for what I like to call the 'gentleman driver'" said Dr Paefgen. It lives up to founder W.O. Bentley's vision of "fast, beautiful, reliable sports cars".

To be hand built at Bentley's UK-based factory in Crewe, by craftsmen using traditional coachbuilding techniques, the car is now undergoing final development. It will be limited to a production run of 550. Prices were not announced, but are unlikely to be a limiting factor for its customers.

It will certainly be fast: under that long bonnet is a development of Bentley's long-lived 6.75-litre V8 engine that delivers around 800lb ft (1080Nm) of torque-more than any other production V8. The 530hp unit is linked to a six-speed transmission with a selectable semi-automatic mode. That should be sufficient power for stunning acceleration.

Inside the cabin is a sumptuous and leather-trimmed with an array of satisfyingly classic circular, black-backed, red-dial instruments. The Brooklands is roomier than previous Bentley coupes, especially in the rear – Bentley’s claims it’s the most spacious and comfortable luxury coupe available.

This is a car hits the target: muscular, elegant, powerful, rakish, and attractive. If ever there were a reason for champagne at breakfast then the prospect of owning a car like this is it.