Bentley Azure (2006)

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Bentley Azure

Manufacturer	Bentley Motors Limited
Production	1995–2003, 2006-present
Assembly	Crewe, England
Predecessor	Bentley T-series
Class	Grand Tourer
Body style(s)	2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Wheelbase	120.5 in (3061 mm)
Length	210.3 in (5342 mm)
Width	81 in (2057 mm)
Height	58.1 in (1476 mm)
Curb weight	5,750 lb (2,610 kg)
Related	Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000), Bentley Continental R, Bentley Arnage

The Bentley Azure is a large, four seater convertible built by Bentley Motors Limited at their factory in Crewe, England. The model debuted in 1995 on the Continental platform and lasted in its original guise through 2003; a new version sporting a significantly revised and upgraded engine and riding on the newer Arnage platform debuted in 2006.

First generation (1995-2003)

The Azure debuted for 1995 on the platform of the Continental R model, which had been launched in 1981. At 210 inches (5,334 mm) in length and 5,750 pounds (2,610 kg) in weight, the Azure often surprised onlookers with its size and bulk, intended to both convey a sense of "presence" and allow for comfortable seating of four adult passengers.

Power came from the company's stalwart 6.75 Liter V8, featuring a single, intercooled Garrett turbocharger and producing 400 horsepower (298 kW) and 645 ft·lbf (875 N·m) of torque; power was routed to the rear wheels via a modified, General Motors sourced 4-speed automatic transmission. With a 0 to 60 miles per hour time of 6.1 seconds, the Azure was very fast for a car of its size, weight and poor aerodynamic profile.

Owing to the limited space and workforce at Bentley's Crewe factory, the Azure's thick, powered convertible top was designed and manufactured by Pininfarina, which significantly added to the vehicle's cost. New in 1995, the Azure was priced at $347,645; $36,355 more than the Continental R on which it was based.

From 1999 through the end of production, the Azure was also available in "Mulliner" trim, which added special bespoke trim and additional equipment and allowed the buyer the option for further customization during the build-process; pricing varied by car, as equipment could be significantly different from one to the next depending on customer requests.

Second generation (2006-)

Volkswagen purchased Bentley from Vickers in 1998; already three years into production, Volkswagen executives decided to keep the then-current Azure in production through 2003, then release its successor at a later date, when other model updates had already been dealt with; production of the new Azure began for the 2006 model year.

Now based on the Arnage platform, power comes from the current variant of the Bentley turbocharged V8 making 450 hp (340 kW) and 645 ft·lbf (875 N·m) of torque. Volkswagen funded a significant re-working of the engine in 2001 to modernize it, which included a switch from the old single-turbo system to a modern twin-turbocharger setup, reducing turbo-lag and increasing horsepower output; a new, model-specific 6-speed automatic transmission feeds power to the rear wheels.

Bentley claims a 0 to 60 mile-per-hour time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h) , slightly faster than the previous edition and still very good for a vehicle of this size and weight.

The United States Department of Energy lists Bentley Azure as the least fuel-efficient car in its class ^[1] with only 9 miles per US gallon (3.8 km/l/11 mpg_-imp) city and 15 miles per US gallon (6.4 km/l/18 mpg_-imp) highway rates.

Azure T (2010-)

It is a higher performance version of Bentley Azure. Styling changes include 8.5J x 20-inch five-spoke, two-piece alloy wheels with 255/40 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tyres, 'Le Mans' lower front wing air vents, dark-tinted upper and lower grilles, 'jewel' fuel filler cap (made from billet aluminium), door mirror mountings finished in body colour. The exterior styling was inspired from Bentley Mark VI.

Audio system includes large display audio head unit with Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot, iPod/USB/3.5mm AUX interface; with optional 'Naim for Bentley' 10-speaker, 1100W audio system. Electronic Stability Programme, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System are now standard equipment.

The twin turbocharged engine is rated 507 PS (500 hp/373 kW) and 1,000 N·m (738 lb·ft) torque. It has 0-60 miles per hour time of 6.1 seconds (0-100km/h at 5.5 seconds), 0-100 mph time in 12.1 seconds (0-160km/h in 12.0 seconds) and a top speed of 179mph (288km/h).

The car was unveiled in LA Auto Show.^[2]

References

• Ray Hutton. "Bentley Azure". Car and Driver (June 1995): 101–102. 

External links

• Bentley Azure site
• Bentley Azure T site

Bentley ownership and road car timeline, 1920s–present – marque of the Volkswagen Group
Type	1920s		1930s		1940s		1950s		1960s		1970s		1980s		1990s				2000s
	Independent		Rolls-Royce															Volkswagen Group
Sports car	3 L	4½ L			WWII
Saloon		6½/Six	4L/3½ 4¼L/V			VI	R	S1/S2/S3		T1		T2	Mulsanne								CFS
Large Saloon		8 L										Camargue						Arnage
Coupé											Corniche			Continental & C Turbo		Continental R/S/T				C GT
Convertible																	Azure				C GTC
Founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the Volkswagen Group • Bentley Boys