Only a very select group of the world’s elite may be able to afford cars bearing the winged B badge, but that has not dissuaded Bentley from producing its next flagship model, a new four-seater convertible bearing the name “Azure”.
Only a very select group of the world’s elite may be able to afford cars bearing the winged B badge, but that has not dissuaded Bentley from producing its next flagship model, a new four-seater convertible bearing the name “Azure”.
Inspired by the original Azure, which was unveiled in 1995, and the Park Ward S1 Drophead Coupé of 1955, the car was previewed at the Los Angeles Show in January this year. The showcar was unveiled as the Arnage Drophead Coupé and generated a high level of interest among showgoers. Enough interest for the showcar to get the production nod…
“We have been inundated with demand for a new Azure virtually from the moment the original model ceased production,” said Adrian Hallmark, the board member responsible for sales and marketing.
“The exclusivity, style, luxury and performance of the new Bentley convertible flagship evoke the Riviera lifestyle like no other, fully justifying the revival of the Azure name.”
The showcar was equipped with a 6,8-litre twin-turbo V8 with outputs of 336 kW and 875 N.m, but the final details and specification of the production Azure will only be released closer to its official unveiling.
The car’s name was made public this weekend at the Pebble Beach expo in the US and the new Azure goes on sale early in 2006. Bentley products are distributed in South Africa by the Pearl Automotive group.
