Simply seduction

The company first hinted of a new Azure when it unveiled the Arnage Drophead Coupe at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year.

It stimulated such interest that Bentley decided to resurrect the Azure name.

Like its predecessor, which was in production from 1995 to 2002, the new Azure becomes the flagship of the Bentley model range.

The four-seater is powered by a 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 336kW of power and 875Nm of torque, mated to a four-speed automatic.

It will accelerate to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 270km/h.

The cabin and rear section of the car are newly designed, with a bespoke interior to the buyer's tastes, including a choice of wood trim and 21 leather upholstery colours.

The three-layer fabric folding roof has a heated rear glass screen and is operated hydraulically at the touch of a switch, closing or opening in less than 30 seconds.

The roof fits under the tonneau panel which also incorporates pop-up, roll-over protection bolsters.

The Azure features lightweight carbon-fibre under-floor cross-braces to bolster body stiffness and sits on 12-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels with fat 255mm 45 Pirelli P-Zero rubber.

The huge — 5.4m — car has a 3116mm wheelbase and 1610mm track.

Bentley spokesman James Barclay said the Azure would arrive in Australia at the beginning of 2007.

"In terms of volume it is too early to predict but will obviously be very exclusive," he said.

"Around 1300 of the previous model Azures were sold between 1995 and 2002 worldwide.

"An interesting fact that puts that number into perspective is that it takes approximately 680 man-hours to build the new Azure."