Blue Blooded Drop-Top
Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press
If Jonathan and wife, Jennifer Hart (TV’s Hart to Hart played by Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers) were on the air today, what would they drive? True, the wealthy industrialist, ex-navy officer and journalist/photographer duo cruised around Bel Air, California in a lot of sweet rides, including ‘73 and ’79 Mercedes-Benz SLs, an Aston Martin Volante and a gorgeous ’56 Bentley convertible, but most will probably remember them showing up in the back seat of their Rolls-Royce Corniche, with faithful friend and crime solving colleague Max at the wheel. Today’s Harts might opt for the new Phantom Drophead Coupe, if they were trying to make a statement about sheer wealth, but the always-tasteful twosome would more likely arrive in the more discreet (ahem) and classically tailored Bentley Azure.
2009 Bentley Azure
Ok, it’s difficult to call any Bentley discreet. Anyone who knows anything about cars will realize that even the least expensive winged-B costs as much as a small house… er, in Detroit. In my town a Continental GT is equivalent to a down payment on a small bachelor pad. The Azure, mind you, will set you back twice that amount, with a starting MSRP of $461,990 (a passable 1 bedroom apartment). Still, there’s nothing quite like an Azure. Stately, elegant, powerful… a supreme automotive being capable of just about any feat, even defying physics.
That’s the way it seems when piloting a car that weighs almost as much as a small apartment at 2,695 kilograms (5,942 pounds), and dimensionally is probably bigger than the little beach flat I lived in during my formative adult years. The Azure is long at 5,410 mm (212.6 inches)… yes, that dwarfs an S-Class or 7-Series long-wheelbase, and makes it almost as long as a Lincoln Town Car. But put this into perspective. The Lincoln is more or less an extended four-door limousine, whereas the Azure is a two-door sports convertible. And believe me, it’s sporty.
There are few four-place convertibles that can take the Azure off the line, thanks to a 6.75L V8 with 450hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, the latter available at a mere 1,800 rpm. It’s all funneled to the rear wheels through an efficient six-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode; those wheels shod in big, fat P255/45R19 tires. A set of 20-inch, five-spoke, two-piece painted or dark tinted alloy rims can up performance further and add to the car’s visual appeal.
2009 Bentley Azure
The Azure hardly needs the options Bentley offers, well, except possibly for the carbon ceramic disc brakes that can be had with those aforementioned 20-inch wheels. And then there’s the outrageously good 1,100-watt “Naim for Bentley” audio upgrade, complete with 11 magnet and voice coil speakers. Not familiar with Naim? Think British, which is fitting, and ultra-high-end home theatre. Bentley is their first and only automotive partner, and once you listen you’ll realize it’s a match made in heaven.
Colour matching is another Bentley specialty. Whether matching exterior hues to interior tones, there’s 39 standard colours, as well as factory pin-striping, custom sill plates, unique carpet colours, and various wood veneers with custom-matched upholstery. If you opt for a premium leather interior there’s a choice of 21 different colours and shades. Really, ask them and Bentley can probably accommodate.
As for standard features, it comes fully stocked with the requisite power accessories, plus auto-dimming power-folding mirrors, a navigation system, park distance sensor, six-CD stereo, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and more. How about a retractable Flying B hood ornament? Massaging heated seats, an actual cigar lighter, and umbrellas specially designed to slot into holders within the doors.
New this year is the availability of Dark Stained Vavona wood veneer, embellishing one of the most beautiful automotive interiors ever created. Truly, the Arnage-based Azure is like an olde English smoking parlour on wheels. There are planks of high-polished wood, solid chromed metal switchgear, seemingly acres of the best quality leathers money can buy, and almost no plastic to be found anywhere. It’s upright and formal in the most cultured way, yet it’s sleek and stylish externally in the manner that only a classic English drop-head coupé could be.
2009 Bentley Azure
On that note Bentley has created a three-layer fabric roof that feels coupe-like quiet. It retracts in about 30 seconds by pressing a single button and stows under a leather-trimmed tonneau cover. Wind buffeting is minimal, especially when the side windows are up, even at highway speeds.
As mentioned, the Azure is a large car, but really, large is an understatement, and the word heavy a laughable minimization. Hence, its mileage suffers at 22.7L/100km in the city and 13.3 on the highway. Yikes! Of course, those spending close to half a million for a car will hardly care about $20 or $30 per week in extra fuel costs.
If you want an Azure, however, you’re going to need to jump on the opportunity as there’s probably only one left in the entire country, in Toronto I believe. No doubt the retailer would be happy to ship it wherever you’d like, although you may want to wait for a new 2010 Azure T, that has all the good looks, more luxury and much more oomph at 500hp. It’s the Final Series, similar in spirit to the Continental Final Series cars that ushered in the new Continental GT, and for some will be the ultimate collectable Azure.
