The latest member to join the Bentley family is the Azure T, a more powerful and exclusive version of the drop-top Azure. So what’s in a ‘T’? Well, the most important change is hidden under the massive hood as Bentley fitted the Azure T with a twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 500 HP and 1000 Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque. If you like numbers, that’s an 11% increase in power and a 14% increase in torque over its 450 HP/875 Nm Azure stable mate.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed auto and despite the fact that the Azure T weighs as much as two subcompact cars at 2,695 kg (5699 lbs), it manages to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 sec (0-100 km/h 5.5 sec), 100 mph in 12.1 sec (160 km/h in 12.0 sec) and on to a top speed of 179 mph (288 km/h). Then again it also emits a staggering 465 g/km (combined) of CO2 as well as consuming an average of 28.8 lt/100km (9.8 mpg) in the city and 14.1 lt/100km (20.1 mpg) on the highway, but that’s another story.
Bentley also enhanced the Azure’s exterior looks with the addition of 20-inch 5-spoke wheels and tires, ‘Le Mans’ front wing vents, dark tint matrix grille and a sculpted, retractable Flying ‘B’ mascot.
Inside, the Azure T embodies a range of standard features that were previously unavailable or available as cost options on the standard model such as the diamond-quilted seats and door panels, the aluminum finish on the dashboard that is supposed to remind the 1920s racing Bentleys and the instrument faces which are finished in Black rather than Parchment.
