Fine Blue Heaven
The Bentley name conjures up an image of a luxury four-door cruiser. But the current reality is that Bentley also makes a performance-oriented two-door coupe called the Continental GT Azure.
To say the least, the styling of the Azure is both beautiful and dramatic. The roofline is low and flows smoothly back to the trunk area. And unlike most Bentleys, this model does not have a tall, somewhat narrow chrome rectangular grille. Instead, there is a low, wide one surrounded by high-tech headlights. The rear area is also low, with a small rear spoiler and super wide exhaust pipes. Huge 22-inch alloy wheels and performance tires maintain the performance image. Essentially, this is a unique and beautiful car, and many people commented favorably about the styling.
Along the same line as the styling is the power — with a hybrid spin. A four-liter twin-turbocharged V8 plus an electric motor produces a total of 671 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels. The zero-to-60 mph time is a swift 3.5 seconds, and the top speed is 168 miles per hour. Because it is a hybrid, the fuel mileage rating is 46 mpg. Even without the electric motor assisting, the rating is a decent 19 mpg.
The interior is an interesting mix of modern and traditional. Good-looking, comfortable leather-lined front seats greet the driver and passenger. Two large video screens are found in the dash pod and in the center of the dash. A digital speedometer and tachometer are in the dash pod. Perhaps more interesting is the video screen in the center of the dash, with maps and various touch controls. But push a control button, and the screen flips to reveal three round old-style gauges. The air-conditioning outlets are traditional round ones that open and close with a chrome push-pull control.
The rear area has two seats with a storage area between them. For adults to use the rear area, the front occupants will need to move their seats forward. But the leather-lined rear seats are comfortable, and the storage area has a place to charge your cell phone. The electronically opened trunk lid reveals a moderately sized, nicely lined trunk area.
In everyday driving mode, silence is the best description. Obviously, when the electric motor is operating, one would expect quiet performance — and that is certainly true. But even when the gas powerplant comes on, silence still dominates. The ride is super smooth, and the suspension absorbs the worst that a road can provide. Adjustments can be made to the suspension for either performance handling or a more comfortable ride. An automatic climate system easily manages interior comfort.
So with dramatic styling, a comfortable interior, and refined driving dynamics, this Bentley model makes a true luxury statement.
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT AZURE
MODEL // Four-seat, two-door coupe
DRIVETRAIN // 4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with hybrid electric motor; 671 horsepower; 8-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive
FUEL MILEAGE // Hybrid mode 46 mpg; 19 mpg gas motor only
PRICE // $344,400; as tested $394,660