- The world’s most elegant four-seat convertible now with 500bhp Azure T model
- Azure T delivers exhilarating, class-leading performance
- Unique Bentley ‘T’ styling cues reinforce the sleek, sporting stance of the
Azure
INTRODUCTION
(Crewe, England. 12 November 2008). Stylish
and powerful, the new Bentley Azure T is the world’s most elegant convertible
and destined to become a future classic. With unique Bentley ‘T’ styling cues
reinforcing its sporting stance, the 500bhp Azure T delivers driver-focused
performance with the ability to transport four adults in first-class, open-top
luxury.
The new Azure T, specified with the high performance version of
Crewe’s iconic 6¾ litre V8 engine, is the latest in a line of Bentley models to
bear the ‘T’ legend. The 1996 Continental coupe was the first modern Bentley
‘T’, followed in 2002 by the Arnage T, both flagship models with a distinctive
sporting character and thunderous performance.
The Azure’s already striking
form is now enhanced by 20-inch 5-spoke wheels and tyres, ‘Le Mans’ front wing
vents, dark tint matrix grille and a sculpted, retractable Flying ‘B’
mascot.
For the performance-oriented Azure T, the twin-turbocharged V8 engine
produces 500bhp and 1000 Nm of torque – an 11 per cent increase in power and a
14 per cent increase in torque over its 450bhp/875 Nm Azure stable
mate.
The famous Bentley wave of torque is even more prodigious
than before and performance is significantly raised with a top speed of 179 mph
(288 km/h) and a 0-60 mph time of just 5.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.5 sec).
Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing, Stuart McCullough comments:
“The
new Azure T reflects our passion for creating the world’s most exhilarating and
prestigious convertibles that, true to the Bentley T tradition, blend
sophistication with a powerful presence.”
BENTLEY AZURE T – NEWS IN BRIEF
- Exterior design styling changes, as standard, include:
20-inch five-spoke ‘Bright Finish’ alloy wheels
Retractable ‘Flying B’
bonnet mascot
Dark tint matrix upper and lower grilles
‘Le Mans’ lower
front wing air vents
Bentley ‘Jewel’ fuel filler cap
Twin exhaust tail
pipes
Choice of 42 exterior paint colours
- Interior design enhancements, as standard, include:
Diamond quilting to seats and door panels
Drilled alloy brake and
accelerator pedals
‘Engine-turned’ aluminium finish to fascia
Instrument
faces in black
Embroidered ‘Bentley’ emblems to front seats and rear seat
centre
iPod/USB interface
Choice of 8 unbleached veneers and 25 hides
from full Bentley range
Knurled finish to: organ stops, mirror
adjustors, door handles (interior and exterior), light switch and seat lumbar
controls
Knurled & chromed gear knob
- Further enhancements to the standard Azure T specification include:
Large display audio head unit with Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot
Hide covered boot rail
- Further enhancements to the Azure T optional specification include:
‘Naim for Bentley’ premium audio system delivering the world’s best in-car
sound stage and featuring 10 speakers, a dual channel sub-woofer and an 1100
Watt amplifier, plus eight individual Digital Signal Processor (DSP) modes to
reproduce true emotions and a ‘live’ concert-like experience.
- Arnage T powertrain with 6¾ litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing
500bhp and 1000 Nm of torque – increases of 11% and 14 % respectively
- Top speed raised to 179 mph (288 km/h).
- 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds).
- Acceleration to 100 mph cut to 12.1 seconds (0-160 km/h in 12.0 seconds).
- Six-speed ZF automatic transmission with sophisticated locking torque
converter provides fast yet ultra-smooth gearshifts
- Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) logic system improves dynamic response
and handling with less intrusive intervention when a reduction in grip is
detected
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System fitted as standard
A UNIQUE OPEN-TOP MOTORING EXPERIENCE
Based on the
Azure, the Azure T offers a range of discreet exterior cues that further enhance
its powerful stance and hint at its increased performance potential. Key
ingredients of its distinctive appearance include design features 20-inch
five-spoke, two-piece alloy wheels and ‘Le Mans’ lower front wing air
vents.
Further distinguishing points from the Azure are standard
features such as dark-tinted upper and lower grilles, ‘jewel’ fuel filler cap
(made from billet aluminium) and door mirror mountings finished in body
colour.
Like the Bentley Brooklands, the Azure T sports the iconic Flying ‘B’ mascot,
which can retract neatly into the grille surround. Originally designed by
motoring artist F. Gordon Crosby, the ‘B’ was first used on the 1930 Bentley
8-Litre.
With exterior lines that echo visual elements of the Bentley Mk.6 from 1946,
the Azure was enthusiastically received on its original debut as a concept car
at the Los Angeles Show in January 2005. Now, as the Azure T makes its own
‘debut’ at LA, Raul Pires, Manager of Exterior design for Bentley Motors, notes:
“The Azure’s proportions provided us with the ideal platform to work with
when creating the new Azure T. The prominent haunches and ‘supermodel’
body inspired our designers to create a new interpretation of a Bentley
convertible with the accent placed on a more muscular, sporting stance.”
Bentley’s designers highlight the 1955 Park Ward S1 Drophead Coupé and 1995
Azure as the main influences for the current Azure and Azure T. Like the
’50s convertible, the car has a deep body with a single feature line that runs
along both flanks and rises at the powerful rear haunches before spearing off at
the rear of the car. Similarly, the Azure T’s fast and flowing roofline is
echoed in its seven-bow canvas roof that gives the car a visible sporting
profile when raised.
Prominent wheel arches grace a slender, narrowing boot
that results in a ‘horse shoe’ trailing edge. This elegant shape is
reminiscent of the first Crewe-built Bentley, the Mk.6, and the overall effect
is a subtle hint at the power and performance that lies beneath the Azure T’s
bodywork.
Delicate brightware detailing accentuates the flowing lines of the Azure T
and this includes rear tail-lamp bezels, exhaust finishes and slender strips
that run the length of the car.
Significant time and effort has gone into making the Azure T’s folding roof
attractive as well as highly functional. Operated hydraulically at the
touch of a switch, the impressive, three-layer canvas roof is elegantly stowed
beneath the rear parcel shelf in a matter of 25 seconds. Because the roof
is held in a separate well area, there is no impact on the generous boot space
which was designed to hold two sets of golf clubs and hand luggage.
EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCE FROM MIGHTY V8
The engine and
transmission of the Azure T are identical to those already employed in the
high-performance Arnage T and Arnage Final Series saloons. In this
specification, Bentley’s remarkable all-aluminium 6¾ litre V8 engine produces
500 bhp (507PS/373kW) and 1000 Nm (738lb ft) of torque – with over 90 per cent
of that torque available between 1,800 and 3,800 rev/min – figures that ensure
the signature Bentley ‘wave of torque’ delivers effortless performance for a
unique open-top convertible driving experience.
Each of these hand-made V8 engines comes with a black-finish air intake
manifold bearing the signature of the team leader who oversaw its construction
by Bentley technicians in the Crewe factory. The six-speed ZF automatic
transmission ensures optimum flexibility, response and refinement. Three
transmission modes (Drive, Sport and Manual) allow the driver to take full
advantage of the powerful 500 bhp V8 engine.
A sophisticated electronic management system provides fast yet smooth
gearshifts regardless of how the car is being driven. Another important
feature of the latest Azure T is the separation of the sports suspension and
sports gearbox settings, allowing the driver to select their preference for each
system independently – via a ‘Sport’ switch on the dashboard for the suspension
and by positioning the gearlever for the transmission’s Sport mode.
Bentley’s V8 guarantees outstanding performance levels. From
standstill, acceleration to 60 mph is achieved in just 5.2 seconds (0-100 km/h
5.5 seconds), 100 mph reached in 12.1 seconds (160 km/h in 12.0 seconds) and a
top speed of 179 mph (288 km/h) is possible.
DYNAMIC HANDLING, SUPERB RIDE AND AWESOME BRAKING
The
Azure’s double wishbone front and rear suspension is carried over to the Azure T
unaltered. Set-up and fine-tuned to give a refined ride that best suits
the character of this convertible Bentley, the system features coil springs with
computer-controlled, adaptive electro-hydraulic dampers and automatic
ride-height control with auto-load compensation.
The Azure T’s suspension delivers impressive body control in all driving
conditions, while the new five-spoke, two-piece 8.5J x 20-inch Sports
alloy wheels with 255/40 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tyres further improve handling and
road holding.
As an option, Azure T owners may specify an upgraded braking system with
carbon/silicon carbide, cross-drilled brake ventilated discs. Measuring
420 x 40 mm (front) and 356 x 28 mm (rear), these discs are the largest fitted
to any production car on sale today. With eight-piston callipers, the
brakes provide impressive deceleration and also give an 8 kg reduction in
unsprung weight, benefiting steering response, ride suppleness and acceleration.
This lightweight braking system ensures virtually fade-free use, time after
time, and superb resistance to disc distortion under high thermal
conditions. Under normal use, the brake discs will last the lifetime of
the car and pad life is doubled compare to the standard system.
For Azure T and its Bentley stable mates, the Traction Control system is
calibrated with the aim of avoiding all unnecessary reductions in engine
torque. The ESP logic system, which is set up to allow spirited handling
without any reduction in stability or safety, monitors the car’s overall
stability rather than simply loss of grip to the wheels. This reduces the
amount of intervention required and restores power earlier and more
progressively, allowing the power of the Azure T’s V8 engine to be fully
exploited.
The Bentley Azure T enjoys an 11 per cent power and 14 per cent torque
increase compared with Azure and the strength and stiffness of the original
chassis are such that no changes were deemed necessary, as Brian Gush, Director
of Powertrain and Chassis, explains:
“The Azure chassis has always had an immense potential and this enables us to
offer the extra power of our 500 bhp V8 engine and the driver-focused qualities
of a true Bentley T without compromising ride comfort.”
Compared with the Arnage, the Azure T benefits from significant stiffening
members. These strengthened steel parts lie in the sill section of the car and
extend into the A-pillars that form the windscreen frame. Beneath the
front and rear of the Azure, carbon fibre cross-bracing members reinforce the
whole bodyshell, while adding far less weight than steel.
Strengthening has also been applied to the body structure behind the rear
seats where an advanced rollover protection system is fitted. This
immediately detects if the car is in danger of inverting and deploys two hoops
that are integrated within the rear headrests. In conjunction with the
strengthened front windscreen frame, these are capable of supporting 2.5 times
the entire weight of an over-turned car.
EXQUISITE CRAFTSMANSHIP
Befitting its role as a new
Bentley flagship convertible, the Azure T embodies a range of standard features
that were previously unavailable or only available as cost options on the
Azure. The seats and door panels have Diamond Quilting, the fascia
features an ‘engine-turned’ aluminium finish (reminiscent of 1920s racing
Bentleys), and the instrument faces are finished in Black rather than
Parchment.
Bentley emblems are embroidered on the front seat backs and the rear seat
centre, an iPod/USB interface is provided, while the full range of Bentley’s
premium veneers is available, a knurled finish is applied to several handles and
switches and a knurled, chrome gear knob is fitted.
The new Azure T will have a strong appeal to Bentley customers, as Trevor
Gay, Personal Commissioning Manager at Mulliner (Bentley’s specialist
commissioning department), explains:
“The Azure has always stood apart from the rest of the Bentley range and the
higher-performance Azure T will allow customers the opportunity to use the
Mulliner service to create a bespoke convertible to their exact specification.”
Although many of the most desirable Mulliner options are included in Azure T
as standard, Bentley anticipates that the majority of buyers will request
additional enhancements. Inside, the Azure T is everything customers would
expect of a bespoke Bentley, offering the highest levels of hand-craftsmanship
to a small, discerning audience. The interior offers a spacious, luxurious
cabin to provide the ultimate in first-class, open-top travel for four
adults.
As in every Bentley, craftsmanship and bespoke finishing are to the
fore. Every item of trim, be it veneer, hide or chromed bezel, uses
authentic materials.
Azure T is available in the full Bentley range of 42 exterior colours, 25
interior hides, and the full range of premium veneers, plus the comprehensive
line-up of Mulliner options and its bespoke colour-matching service that enable
Bentley owners to create a uniquely personal car.
Of course, the nature of a convertible means that its interior is often on
display as much as its exterior and Bentley’s design team knew that the Azure
T’s spacious cabin should make a strong a statement. Consequently, warm
and inviting leather hide extend past the seats and onto the parcel shelf and
this emphasises the dimensions of the rear compartment.
A new audio head unit with larger display screen and an SD (secure digital)
memory card slot instead of the single CD slot is fitted. At the rear, a
new hide-covered boot rail with coordinated leather trim and a chrome strip
along the top edge gives the load area a tidier, premium appearance.
All Azure T models come with an iPod Interface linked to the Infotainment
system, enabling customers to play their favourite music through the car’s audio
system. The system is supplied with connectors for iPod, USB, Mini USB and
a 3.5 mm AUX jack and includes a 12 volt power outlet for charging
purposes.
As an option, Azure T buyers can specify the Naim for
Bentley premium audio system. Created in partnership with Bentley by Naim Audio,
a UK-based high end hi-fi manufacturer, this system features 10 speakers, a
dual-channel sub-woofer and an 1100 Watt amplifier, plus eight individual DSP
modes to reproduce true emotions and a ‘live’ concert-like experience.
In Azure T the sub-woofers are located in the rear passenger footwells and
contained within a special enclosure to ensure the sound of this pure music
remains within the open cabin.
BENTLEY AZURE T – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
AZURE T AZURE
POWERTRAIN
Engine type
Twin-turbocharged
90-degree V8 Twin-turbocharged 90-degree
V8
Engine displacement 6¾ litres, 6761 cc 6¾ litres,
6761 cc
Maximum power 500 bhp / 507 PS / 373 kW
@ 4,200
rev/min 450 bhp / 456 PS / 336kW @ 4100 rev/min
Maximum torque 738
lb ft / 1,000 Nm @
3,200 rev/min 645 lb ft / 875Nm @ 1,800
rev/min
Compression ratio 7.8:1 7.8:1
Emission standards
EU IV / US LEV II EU IV / US LEV II
Transmission 6-speed ZF
automatic gearbox
with semi-automatic and
sports functions 6-speed
ZF automatic gearbox with semi-automatic and sports functions
PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph 5.2 sec 5.6 sec
0-100
km/h 5.5 sec 5.9 sec
0-100 mph 12.1 sec 13.4 sec
0-160
km/h 12.0 sec 13.3 sec
Maximum speed&nb! sp;179 mph/288
km/h 171 mph/274 km/h
CHASSIS
Steering 3.18 turns lock-to-lock
Type Speed sensitive, hydraulic power assisted, rack and pinion
steering system
Suspension Double
wishbones front and rear, with coil springs and computer-controlled adaptive,
electro-hydraulic damping system (ARC) and automatic ride-height control with
auto load compensation and headlamp levelling
Braking (front/rear) Micro-alloy ventilated
discs
Hydraulically boosted front and rear circuits with stability control
system
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Urban 28.8 (litres/100km)
/ 9.8 mpg
Extra-urban 14.1 (litres/100km) / 20.1
mpg
Combined 19.5 (litres/100km) / 14.5 mpg
EU drive
cycle CO2
Fuel type 465 g/km (combined)
98 (95) RON
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Overall length
Overall
width
Overall height
Wheelbase 5410 mm (212.60 in)
2125 mm (83.66 in) including door mirrors
1492 mm
(58.74 in)
3116 mm (122.68 in)
Front track 1608
mm (63.13 in)
Rear track 1608 mm (63.13
in)
Width 1900 mm (74.8 in) with mirrors folded
Luggage compartment 0.316m3 / 310 litres / 10.95 cu ft
WEIGHTS
Kerb weight 2695 kg (5699
lbs)
Gross vehicle weight 3065 kg (7948 lbs)
Front
axle weight 1535 kg (3384 lbs)
Rear axle weight 1615
kg (3560 lbs)
Fuel tank capacity 96.0 litres (25.3 US
gallons)
BENTLEY AZURE T – STANDARD FEATURES EXTERIOR FEATURES
o Choice of 42 exterior paint colours
o Retractable ‘Flying B’ bonnet mascot
o Body coloured
headlamp bezels
o Dark tint upper and lower grilles
o ‘Le Mans’
lower front wing vents
o Bentley ‘jewel’ fuel filler cap
o Twin oval exhaust tail pipes
o 20-inch five-spoke Sport
aluminium alloy wheels
o Body coloured door mirror mountings
o Black finish intake manifold for engine
INTERIOR FEATURES
o Leather hides with choice of 25
colours
o Diamond quilting to seats and door panels
o Treadplates featuring AZURE name
o Multiple choice of
unbleached premium wood veneers from full range
o Bright engine spin
‘spun aluminium’ fascia finish
o Drilled alloy brake and accelerator
o Instrument faces in black
o Embroidered Marque emblems
to front seat backs and rear seat centre
o iPod/USB interface with
12-volt power outlet
o Knurled finish to organ stops (front and rear),
door mirror adjusters, interior door handles, exterior door handles, light
switch and seat lumbar controls.
o Knurled chrome and hide sporting
gear lever
o Leather trimmed boot rail
o Eight-speaker
audio system with 6-disc CD changer in the boot and SD card slot in new
dash-mounted head unit with larger display
SEATING / CONTROLS
o Memory facility linking
driver’s seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel
o Electrically
adjustable tilt steering wheel with cruise control switches
o Electrochromic self-dimming interior rear-view mirror
o Electrochromic door mirrors dip on selection of reverse
o One-touch front window operation
o Multi-zone
air-conditioning system
o Dehumidifier plus pollen and dust
micro-filters
SAFETY & SECURITY
o Dual front, plus front and
rear thorax and curtain airbags
o Pre-tensioned and load-limited
seatbelts
o Tyre pressure monitoring system
o Xenon
dipped beam headlamps
o ESP (Electronic Stability Programme)
o Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
o Park Distance Control (front
and rear)
o Multi-function programmable alarm and immobiliser
o Perimeter monitor with inclination sensor
o Volumetric
interior monitor with glass break sensor
o Central locking and deadlock
system BENTLEY AZURE T – OPTIONS AVAILABLE
REGULAR OPTIONS
o Naim for Bentley 1100 Watt
premium audio system with 10 speakers
o Dark tint 20-inch five-spoke
Sport aluminium alloy wheels
o Dark tint engine-turned aluminium fascia
finish
o Carbon silicon carbide cross-drilled disc brakes
MULLINER OPTIONS (principal options only listed)
o Leather hides from previous Bentley model ranges
o Leather hide colours matched to customer specification
o Alternative premium veneers
o NavTrak ADR (Automatic Driver
Recognition) with 24-hour car location and tracking (UK and Europe only)
SERVICE & WARRANTY
o Service intervals 10,000
miles or 12 months
o 3 Years unlimited mileage warranty
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