TO LIVE THE DAY... We are always making plans. We review the past; we devise schemes for the future. Yet sometimes we miss the chance to see with clarity the detail and the wonder of what surrounds us in the present. To enjoy the messages of our senses, and to live the day, each day, to the full.
FOR A STYLISH OPEN-TOPPED MOTOR CAR to accommodate four in the utmost comfort is rare, but to combine these qualities with head-turning lines and effortless performance is unparalleled. The Bentley Azure, the world's most powerful four-seat convertible, achieves just that.
From outside, the low, purposeful stance of the Azure and its laser-cut, stainless steel matrix grill delineate it as the inheritor of a magnificent tradition. A true sporting Bentley, the Azure provides its drivers with the towering 553 lb. ft. of torque and 385 bhp performance of a turbocharged and intercooled 6.75 litre V8 engine, giving 0-60 mph acceleration times in the region of six seconds and a top speed of 150 mph. And yet it also offers spacious accommodation for four, with a new seat design in the finest hide and the Bentley interior keynotes of deep-lacquered fine wood veneers and lustrous chrome detailing. The soft top, weather-proof and draught-free when up, smoothly stows itself away under the rear deck in seconds at the touch of a button in a precisely choreographed sequence, bringing all the glorious sensations of open touring under cloudless skies to driver and passengers.
On the open road the Azure is responsive and eager, belying its size, providing the feedback that the enthusiast needs to explore the motor car's extraordinary performance. The sure-footed capabilities of the Azure owe much to features such as Automatic Ride Control, fully powered anti-lock performance brakes and electronic traction assistance system, developed by Bentley engineers. This technology provides steering, throttle and brakes that give progressive response to every input, whether the driver is cruising along the boulevard or unleashing the engine's full power on a mountain pass. Those fortunate enough to drive an Azure will discover its duality of character; it is both a bewitching motor car when driven gently and an enthralling motor car when given free rein upon open road.
THE SWEEPING LINES OF THE AZURE are given a final touch of distinction by the matrix grille in laser-cut stainless steel.
Miniature intake grilles under each headlamp housing complement the style of the laser-cut matrix grille. The new 17-inch alloy wheels with 255-section tyres feature lockable centre caps for security.
The interior of the Azure features a dual colour hide-trimmed steering wheel and new seat design with lightly ruched panels to complement the softer lines of the motor car.
The motor car shown is simply one example of the many specifications available from the wide choice of colour combinations and finishes offered by Bentley Motors. The scope is extended even further through the engineers and craftsmen of Mulliner, who are able to undertake special commissions to design and specify a motor car for an individual's driving characteristics and tastes.
THE STUNNING LINES OF THE BENTLEY AZURE CONVERTIBLE clothe the sophisticated technology of a 150 mph sporting motor car. Inside, Bentley keynotes of walnut veneer and sumptuous leather accommodate up to four occupants, while the turbocharged and intercooled 6.75 litre V8 engine combines scorching performance with silken refinement. The roof stows itself away beneath the rear deck in seconds at the touch of a button, leaving the Azure's sweeping lines uninterrupted from grille to tail. The latest specification includes a laser-cut stainless steel matrix grille, sports alloy wheels, restyled "cut-through" front and rear bumpers, lightly ruched sports seating front and rear, sculpted hide covered steering wheel and matching hide covered cowl.
STYLE
Two door open tourer, with accommodation for four adults.
Fully powered convertible hood with single button operation.
Stainless steel laser-cut matrix grille.
Cut-through restyled front and rear bumpers.
Sports 17" alloy wheels of twin spokelet design with 255-section performance tyres.
TECHNOLOGY
Automatic Ride Control provides computer control of suspension dampers to optimise ride comfort and handling.
Transmission shift energy management provides computer control of the gearbox to produce smooth gear changes under all conditions.
Adaptive Shift Control modifies gear change points in 'normal' mode according to driving style.
Electronic Traction Assistance System (ETAS): EMS microprocessor monitors traction with wheel speed data and reacts via fuel metering to individual cylinders, significantly faster and more precisely than conventional throttle or brake intervention systems. Viscous limited slip differential eliminates need for individual wheel control.
Zytek EMS3 engine management system provides high density 32x32 site bit-maps for fueling and ignition, enabling more accurate engine mapping, so providing greater efficiency, power and almost instant throttle response.
Automatic headlamp system actuates in low light conditions and switches off as light intensity rises. This system may also be programmed to actuate after windscreen wipers have been in use for 30 seconds or more.
Alarm and headlamp operations are programmable to owner's individual preferences.
CFC-free air conditioning system.
GSM digital telephone system (UK).
Analogue telephone system (North America).
PERFORMANCE
6.75 litre V8 engine with exhaust driver turbocharger and liquid-cooled charge cooler.
Digital boost control system.
7.5J x 17 aluminium alloy wheels fitted with directional 255/55WR17 tyres provide responsive steering and sure-footed roadholding in both wet and dry conditions.
Electronic traction assistance system with viscous control differential provides optimum sharing of the engine's power output between the driven wheels for maximum traction and control.
Centre console-mounted gearshift with sport/standard gear change pattern selector.
Four speed electronically controlled automatic gearbox with torque converter lock-up.
Maximum power 286 kW (385 bhp) at 4000 min-1
Maximum torque 750 Nm (553 ft. lb.) between 2000 and 3450 min-1
Maximum speed 240 km/h (150mph)
Acceleration 0-60 mph 6.3 seconds
0-100 km/h 6.7 seconds
Fuel consumption European Union drive cycle US EPA (us gallon)
Urban 25.8 1/100 km (10.9 mpg) 11 mpg
Extra urban (highway) 13.1 1/100 km (21.6 mpg) 16 mpg
Combined 17.8 1/100 km (15.9 mpg) 13 mpg
DURABILITY
Underside of the bodyshell is zinc-coated and undergoes a ten-stage metal pre-treatment process prior to cathodic electro-priming. Multi-stage painting process with the latest 'clear over base' paint technology.
Flexibilised polymer clearcoat lacquer applied to the front surfaces of the motor car provides increased stone chip protection.
Elastomeric stone-chip protective coating is applied to the sill and wheel arch areas prior to painting.
SAFETY
Fully powered braking system with four-channel electronic anti-lock system and anti-dive geometry, featuring performance brakes.
Driver and front seat passenger airbags.
Anti-side intrusion beams to doors.
Careful attention to weight distribution under all loading cases, together with full-length lever arm front suspension and semi-trailing arm rear suspension with Panhard rod provide a progressive handling characteristic at all times.
Seat belt pre-tensioners to front seat belts.
APPOINTMENTS
Sculpted hide-covered steering wheel with matched hide-covered dashboard cowl.
New-style seats with lightly ruched panels front and rear.
Tilt-adjustable steering column enables the ideal driving position to be reached, improves instrument visibility and has 'easy entry-exit' feature.
Memory facility allows the positions of the seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel of four different drivers to be recalled.
Dual level air conditioning.
Motorised front seats with integral safety belts permit easy entry and exit for rear seat passengers.
4 x 30 Watt tuner-cassette audio system, with 6 CD autochanger mounted in centre console armrest for ease of access, playing through an eight speaker system.
Remote control of in-car entertainment system for rear seat passengers.
Full hide upholstery, Wilton carpet and lambswool rugs provide a unique interior ambience.
Wide choice of fine wood veneers and finishes, including burr walnut with straight-grained walnut banding.
Lumbar adjustment and two stage heating to front seats.
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 3061 mm 120.5 in Overall length 5350 mm 17 ft. 6.6 in Overall width - across mirrors 2058 mm 6 ft. 9.0 in Overall height 1475 mm 4 ft. 10.1 in Maximum height attained during hood operation 2210 mm 7 ft 3.0 in Laden weight - GVW 2980 kg 6570 lb. Unladen weight - kerbside 2610 kg 5754 lb. Fuel tank capacity 106.83 litre 23.5 gal Turning circle - kerb to kerb 12.16 m 39 ft 10.7 in Luggage compartment volume 0.193 m 6.799 ft
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price - Azure Convertible $339,900.00