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New Bentley Azure unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show
New Bentley Azure unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show
At the IAA Motor Show, Bentley Motors reveals the production version of the new Azure. The luxurious four-seater Azure, which goes on sale in Spring 2006, is the latest in a portfolio of wonderfully desirable 'dropheads' stretching back many decades and reaffirms Bentley's reputation as creator of the world's most elegant convertibles.
Bentley first hinted that a new Azure might be in the pipeline when it unveiled the glamorous Arnage Drophead Coupé show car at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2005. The show car stimulated such interest among Bentley aficionados that the decision was quickly taken to continue its extensive development program in time for delivery of the first customer cars in Spring 2006. Last month, Bentley announced that the production version of the show car would carry the evocative Azure name. Like its iconic predecessor, which was in production from 1995 to 2002, the new Azure becomes the flagship of the Bentley model range.
The design of the new Azure is, first and foremost, unmistakably Bentley. It shares its face with the current Arnage range and its platform ensures it seats four adults in supreme comfort. But it is also unmistakably unique. The entire cabin and rear section of the car are newly designed, with a stunning bespoke interior; the objective being to create an opulent and inviting seating area that reflects its status as a car that is at home in Palm Springs or the Riviera. The complex folding roof on the convertible is operated hydraulically at the touch of a switch: the impressive, three-layer fabric assembly being elegantly stowed beneath the hide-trimmed tonneau in under 30 seconds.
The twin-turbocharged V8 engine, double-wishbone suspension and extremely rigid body structure of the Arnage provide a state-of-the-art basis for the new Azure. It is powered by a 450bhp (336Kw) version of the Arnage's 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged intercooled V8 engine and produces 875Nm (645lb ft) of torque.
The specification of the production version of the Azure is virtually unchanged from the original L.A. show car. The principle change is the introduction of high technology, lightweight, carbon fibre, under-floor cross braces that contribute to the exceptional levels of body stiffness, benefiting refinement, ride and handling. In addition, the chrome trimmed bumpers and sills of the show car are now painted in body colour with a delicate chrome trim that runs the length of the car, enhancing the flowing lines of the Azure body.
Details of market availability and pricing will be released nearer the Azure's on-sale date.
Production Specification
CRAFTSMANSHIP FEATURES
Choice of premium wood veneers.
Premium grade 'A' hide upholstery in 21 colours plus personal specification service.
Two-tone hide trimmed multi-function steering wheel.
Hide covered gear selector.
Classic, parchment faced analogue instruments.
Unique interior styling with new seats.
INTERIOR KEY FEATURES
Independent electrically adjustable front seats incorporating lumbar control and two-stage heating.
Electrically adjustable tilt steering wheel with cruise control operation and easy entry-exit feature.
Rear bench seat.
Driver information panel with trip computer.
GPS satellite navigation system (market dependent).
Front telephone phone installation (market dependent).
Bentley audio system with 6CD autochanger.
Dual zone climate control system.
Front cabin system provides split level (face/feet) and side-to-side heating and air conditioning.
Rear cabin system provides additional individual side-to side heating and air conditioning control.
Air conditioning systems feature a dehumidifier plus pollen and dust micro-filters.
Front cigar lighter and ashtray.
Full centre console with stowage area.
EXTERIOR KEY FEATURES
All-steel monocoque body shell of high torsional rigidity.
Reinforced front windscreen body structure.
Pop-up roll over protection bolsters incorporated under rear tonneau panel.
Carbon fibre underfloor cross braces provide further lightweight body stiffening.
Zinc coated skin panels.
Ten-stage pre-treatment and cathodic electro-priming of bodyshell.
Paint range of 39 standard colours plus personal specification service.
Body coloured radiator shell with stainless steel Bentley matrix radiator grille.
Painted bumpers and sill finishers with chrome strip appliqué.
12 spoke 8.0J x 19 alloy wheels.
Twin headlamps featuring Xenon dipped beam with integrated direction indicator.
Power folding door mirrors.
Park distance control system.
Powered boot latching mechanism.
Oval chrome exhaust tail-pipe finishers.
High intensity LED tail lamps.
Fully automated fabric roof with heated rear glass screen.
Stows perfectly flush under rear tonneau in 30 second operation.
Facility for simultaneous operation of all side windows - with one-touch lowering function.
Anti-trap electric window closing mechanism.
Technical Specification
Model Type
Body Type 2+2 seater convertible
Engine
Type Twin turbo V8 with intercoolers
Cylinders/valves per cylinder 8/2
Bore/stroke - mm (in) 104/99 (4.1/3.9)
Capacity - cc (cu in) 6761 (412)
Compression ratio 7.8:1
Emission controls EU4 and LEV1
Power - bhp 450 @ 4100 rev/min
Torque - lb ft (Nm) 645 (875) @ 3250 rev/min
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission 4 speed automatic transmission
SUSPENSION
Layout Double wishbones front and rear, uprated springs
Dampers Computer controlled adaptive electro-hydraulic damping system (ARC)
STEERING
Type Power assisted, speed sensitive, rack and pinion steering system
Turns, lock to lock 3.18 turns
BRAKES
Front - mm (in) 348mm (13.71)
Rear - mm (in) 345mm (13.59)
Electronic Stability Program Standard
WHEELS AND TYRES
Wheel size 8.0J x 19 alloy wheels
Tyre size 255/45 R19 Pirelli P-Zero
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
SRS Airbags Full-sized driver and front passenger airbags
Thorax airbag systems for front and rear occupants
Seats Anti-submarine seat design
Seatbelts Front seat-belt pre-tensioners
Body structure Reinforced front windscreen body structure
Pop-up rollover protection bolsters
Inertia sensor fuel shut-off, door auto-unlock and steering column decouple systems
ROOF
Type Fully automated 7-bow fabric roof with heated rear glass screen
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase - mm (in) 3116 (122.7)
Front track - mm (in) 1610 (63.4)
Rear track - mm (in) 1610 (63.4)
Overall length - mm (in) 5411 (213)
Width (across mirrors) - mm (in) 1908 (75.1)
Overall height - mm (in) 1486 (58.5)
PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph (0-100km/h) 5.9s (6.3s)
0-100 mph (0-160km/h) 14.4s (14.3s)
Maximum Speed - mph (km/h) 168 (270)
Bentley first hinted that a new Azure might be in the pipeline when it unveiled the glamorous Arnage Drophead Coupé show car at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2005. The show car stimulated such interest among Bentley aficionados that the decision was quickly taken to continue its extensive development program in time for delivery of the first customer cars in Spring 2006. Last month, Bentley announced that the production version of the show car would carry the evocative Azure name. Like its iconic predecessor, which was in production from 1995 to 2002, the new Azure becomes the flagship of the Bentley model range.
The design of the new Azure is, first and foremost, unmistakably Bentley. It shares its face with the current Arnage range and its platform ensures it seats four adults in supreme comfort. But it is also unmistakably unique. The entire cabin and rear section of the car are newly designed, with a stunning bespoke interior; the objective being to create an opulent and inviting seating area that reflects its status as a car that is at home in Palm Springs or the Riviera. The complex folding roof on the convertible is operated hydraulically at the touch of a switch: the impressive, three-layer fabric assembly being elegantly stowed beneath the hide-trimmed tonneau in under 30 seconds.
The twin-turbocharged V8 engine, double-wishbone suspension and extremely rigid body structure of the Arnage provide a state-of-the-art basis for the new Azure. It is powered by a 450bhp (336Kw) version of the Arnage's 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged intercooled V8 engine and produces 875Nm (645lb ft) of torque.
The specification of the production version of the Azure is virtually unchanged from the original L.A. show car. The principle change is the introduction of high technology, lightweight, carbon fibre, under-floor cross braces that contribute to the exceptional levels of body stiffness, benefiting refinement, ride and handling. In addition, the chrome trimmed bumpers and sills of the show car are now painted in body colour with a delicate chrome trim that runs the length of the car, enhancing the flowing lines of the Azure body.
Details of market availability and pricing will be released nearer the Azure's on-sale date.
Production Specification
CRAFTSMANSHIP FEATURES
Choice of premium wood veneers.
Premium grade 'A' hide upholstery in 21 colours plus personal specification service.
Two-tone hide trimmed multi-function steering wheel.
Hide covered gear selector.
Classic, parchment faced analogue instruments.
Unique interior styling with new seats.
INTERIOR KEY FEATURES
Independent electrically adjustable front seats incorporating lumbar control and two-stage heating.
Electrically adjustable tilt steering wheel with cruise control operation and easy entry-exit feature.
Rear bench seat.
Driver information panel with trip computer.
GPS satellite navigation system (market dependent).
Front telephone phone installation (market dependent).
Bentley audio system with 6CD autochanger.
Dual zone climate control system.
Front cabin system provides split level (face/feet) and side-to-side heating and air conditioning.
Rear cabin system provides additional individual side-to side heating and air conditioning control.
Air conditioning systems feature a dehumidifier plus pollen and dust micro-filters.
Front cigar lighter and ashtray.
Full centre console with stowage area.
EXTERIOR KEY FEATURES
All-steel monocoque body shell of high torsional rigidity.
Reinforced front windscreen body structure.
Pop-up roll over protection bolsters incorporated under rear tonneau panel.
Carbon fibre underfloor cross braces provide further lightweight body stiffening.
Zinc coated skin panels.
Ten-stage pre-treatment and cathodic electro-priming of bodyshell.
Paint range of 39 standard colours plus personal specification service.
Body coloured radiator shell with stainless steel Bentley matrix radiator grille.
Painted bumpers and sill finishers with chrome strip appliqué.
12 spoke 8.0J x 19 alloy wheels.
Twin headlamps featuring Xenon dipped beam with integrated direction indicator.
Power folding door mirrors.
Park distance control system.
Powered boot latching mechanism.
Oval chrome exhaust tail-pipe finishers.
High intensity LED tail lamps.
Fully automated fabric roof with heated rear glass screen.
Stows perfectly flush under rear tonneau in 30 second operation.
Facility for simultaneous operation of all side windows - with one-touch lowering function.
Anti-trap electric window closing mechanism.
Technical Specification
Model Type
Body Type 2+2 seater convertible
Engine
Type Twin turbo V8 with intercoolers
Cylinders/valves per cylinder 8/2
Bore/stroke - mm (in) 104/99 (4.1/3.9)
Capacity - cc (cu in) 6761 (412)
Compression ratio 7.8:1
Emission controls EU4 and LEV1
Power - bhp 450 @ 4100 rev/min
Torque - lb ft (Nm) 645 (875) @ 3250 rev/min
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission 4 speed automatic transmission
SUSPENSION
Layout Double wishbones front and rear, uprated springs
Dampers Computer controlled adaptive electro-hydraulic damping system (ARC)
STEERING
Type Power assisted, speed sensitive, rack and pinion steering system
Turns, lock to lock 3.18 turns
BRAKES
Front - mm (in) 348mm (13.71)
Rear - mm (in) 345mm (13.59)
Electronic Stability Program Standard
WHEELS AND TYRES
Wheel size 8.0J x 19 alloy wheels
Tyre size 255/45 R19 Pirelli P-Zero
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
SRS Airbags Full-sized driver and front passenger airbags
Thorax airbag systems for front and rear occupants
Seats Anti-submarine seat design
Seatbelts Front seat-belt pre-tensioners
Body structure Reinforced front windscreen body structure
Pop-up rollover protection bolsters
Inertia sensor fuel shut-off, door auto-unlock and steering column decouple systems
ROOF
Type Fully automated 7-bow fabric roof with heated rear glass screen
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase - mm (in) 3116 (122.7)
Front track - mm (in) 1610 (63.4)
Rear track - mm (in) 1610 (63.4)
Overall length - mm (in) 5411 (213)
Width (across mirrors) - mm (in) 1908 (75.1)
Overall height - mm (in) 1486 (58.5)
PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph (0-100km/h) 5.9s (6.3s)
0-100 mph (0-160km/h) 14.4s (14.3s)
Maximum Speed - mph (km/h) 168 (270)
Available in
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