Bentley Azure

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.

1995 to 2003

Infobox Automobile


name = Bentley Azure
manufacturer = Bentley Motors Limited
production = 1995–2003, 2006-present
layout = FR layout
class = Grand Tourer
body_style = 2-door convertible
related = Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000), Bentley Continental R, Bentley Arnage
predecessor = Bentley T-series
weight = Auto lb|5750
wheelbase = Auto in|120.5|0
length = Auto in|210.3|0
height = Auto in|58.1|0
width = Auto in|81|0
assembly = Crewe, England
similar = Aston Martin DB9 Cabriolet
Jaguar XKR
Cadillac XLR-V
Mercedes Benz SL600
BMW 6-SeriesThe Azure debuted for 1995 on the platform of the Continental R model, which had been launched in 1981. At convert|210|in|mm|0 in length and convert|5750|lb 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 convert|645|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on 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.

From 2006 on

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 convert|450|hp|abbr=on and convert|645|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on 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 convert|168|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on , 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 [ [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml Most and Least Fuel Efficient Cars ] ] with only mpg|9|lk=on city and mpg|15|lk=on highway rates.

References

*cite journal|journal=Car and Driver|title=Bentley Azure|issue=June 1995|pages=101–102|author=Ray Hutton