With the launch – at a quite early stage during 1997 – of the Bentley Brooklands R for model year 1998 the manufacturer announced this model was to substitute the hitherto produced Bentley Brooklands. The latter had been up-dated just a year ago by adoption of the light pressure turbocharged engine that provided 300 bhp. This power-source was to be found under the bonnet of the Brooklands R, too, but in addition the Bentley Brooklands R did sport that acclaimed Turbo RT suspension system which ensured superior roadholding. A further innovation were those micro alloy disc brakes that up to then had been exclusive to the Bentley Turbo RT.

Body coloured higher-mounted, integrated bumpers with black mesh inserts corresponded with body colour headlamp surrounds; in combination with the lower radiator grille the appearance was more athletic than previously. A wire mesh insert of the grille was reminiscence to those grand cars, that decades ago had collected laurels for Bentley in the world's most famous long-distance races. New were the 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels, with 255/55 WR17 tyres – there had been 16-inch wheels on the previous Brooklands R.

With a production-figure of but 339 cars sales were not overwhelmingly high. A major reason for that however was the fact that just at the turn from 1997 to 1998 there was some speculation. Prospective purchasers considered some uncertainty when Global Players fought a fierce battle to take over once it was clear that the motor car manufacturer from Crewe - where for many, many years Rolls-Royce and Bentley had been made in one factory – was for sale; in the end the result was a complete separation of both marques.

The 339 Bentley Brooklands R included a limited series of 100 cars which were marketed as ‘Bentley Brooklands R Mulliner’. That name was a hint on H.J. Mulliner, the coachbuilder that had been independent until 1959 and then came under the wings of the motor car manufacturer. Any of the Bentley Brooklands R Mulliner cars was tailored exactly as per a client's specification and thus extras in abundance are to be found on these particular cars.