Bentley Azure |
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Wikipedia: Bentley Azure
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History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Ford Aerostar page on 13 January 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Bentley Azure is a large, four seater convertible built by Bentley Motors Limited at its factory in Crewe, England. The model debuted in 1995 on the Continental platform and was produced in its original guise until 2003. A completely new version powered by a significantly updated engine and riding on the newer Arnage platform debuted in 2006. According to 2009 research by internet company Yahoo!, the Azure is the fourth most fuel consuming car on sale in the United Kingdom.
First generation (1995–2003)
The Azure debuted in March 1995 at the Geneva Motor Show on the platform of the Continental R model, which had been originally launched in 1991. Production only crept to a start, with a mere nine examples finished in the first year – in 1996, after full production had started, no less than 251 Azures were finished. Pininfarina assisted in the two-year process of turning the Continental R into a full four-seater convertible, and also built the shell and soft-top at their factory in Italy, largely from parts sourced in the UK. Final assembly was then carried out at Crewe. A roll-bar was never considered, which necessitated extensive reinforcing of the chassis. At 210 in (5,340 mm) in length and 5,750 pounds (2,610 kg) in weight, the Azure often surprised onlookers with its size and bulk, intended to both convey a sense of "presence" and allow for comfortable seating of four adult passengers.
Second generation (2006–2009)
Volkswagen purchased Bentley from Vickers in 1998, three years into production of the Mark 1 model. Volkswagen executives decided to keep the then-current Azure in production until 2003, then release its successor at a later date. Production of the new Azure began for the 2006 model year.
Now based on the Arnage platform, power came from the then-current variant of the Bentley turbocharged V8 making 450 hp (340 kW) and 645 lb·ft (875 N·m) of torque. New Arnage was designed for the BMW 4.4-liter engine. However, due to strained relationships between the two manufacturers, Volkswagen was forced to significantly re-work the "original" 6.75-liter Rolls-Royce/Bentley V8 in 2001, including a switch from the old single-turbo system to a modern twin-turbocharger setup, reducing turbo-lag and increasing horsepower output. A new, model-specific six-speed automatic transmission fed power to the rear wheels.
Bentley claims a 0 to 60-mile-per-hour time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h), slightly faster than the previous edition and still very good for a vehicle of this size and weight.
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
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| 26 January 2011 | Bentley Motors, Inc., Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance | Federal Register: NHTSA (Claude H. Harris) |
