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By
EWAN KENNEDY
17 November 2008
Bentley Motors in Crewe has just
announced a new version of its Azure convertible, a superb car
aimed at the rich and/or famous who will settle for nothing less
than the best.
Launched at the Los
Angeles Motor Show, right in the heart of customer territory for
this type of vehicle, it’s claimed to be “the world’s most
elegant convertible”. No expense has been spared, with diamond
quilting on the seats and door panels, with Bentley emblems
embroidered into the front seat backs. There is a choice between
25 hides and eight unbleached timber veneers for the interior.
Though Bentley is all
about tradition, the company is careful to keep an eye on the
latest technology as well. Hence the fitment of an iPod / USB
interface to the topline ‘Naim for Bentley’ 10-speaker audio
system.
Paint choices? Bentley
Motors tells us that only 42 options are available.
The sporting flair of
Bentley has been maintained by the use of ‘Le Mans’ front-wing
vents a dark finish to the huge radiator grille, and 20-inch
wheels. Inside, you’re looking at drilled pedals and a aluminium
finish to the dashboard.
Then there's the
twin-turbo six-and-three-quarter-litre V8 engine that produces a
neat 500 horsepower and 1000 Newton metres. Which gives this
rather large and heavy machine the ability to move from a
standstill to 100 km/h in a mere 5.5 seconds.
How
much? Prices are yet to be announced but even in these low-dollar
times we would like to speculate that Australian buyers can expect
to get a fair amount of change from a million dollars…
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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