azure

What Next for the Bentley Azure Convertible?

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line convertible, you're choices are essentially limited to the Rolls-Royce Phantom DropHead Coupe or the Bentley Azure. But even that's about to change as Bentley is canceling the Azure. The question is, what will replace it?

The Azure – based on a twelve-year-old platform – is being phased out as the company puts its energy into the new Mulsanne limousine. Rumor has it that a new convertible version is planned, but in a particularly intriguing twist, the next Azure could gain a couple of doors and revive the long-lost four-door convertible segment. These vehicles, once known as "parade cars", were at the pinnacle of luxury, and if Bentley brings it back – as Mercedes recently entertained with the Ocean Drive concept – we could be looking at a new level of open-air motoring.

Gallery: Bentley Azure T

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Tags: azure, bentley, bentley azure, cabriolet, convertible

New Bentley Mulsanne is Only the Beginning

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

That the new Bentley Mulsanne represents a fresh start for the British luxury automaker is well known. Starting with a clean sheet of paper, the designers and engineers in Crewe completely redesigned the company's flagship saloon from the ground up. But the Mulsanne isn't where it ends, as industry sources forecast that the new sedan will also form the basis for new replacements for the Azure convertible and Brooklands coupe, both of which are based on the outgoing Arnage platform which was designed back in the late 90's when the company was still owned by Vickers Aerospace.

It remains to be seen when the replacements for the Azure and Brooklands will come along, but the new platform could also end up underpinning sister company Bugatti's upcoming model as well.

Gallery: 2010 Bentley Mulsanne