2010 Bentley Azure Review
Price
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Installment
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2010 Bentley Azure at a glance
The 2010 Bentley Azure excels as the ultimate expression of opulence. Beautifully finished, this elegant four-seater is perfect for state dinners. But as Bentley's costliest car, the Azure's ability is glaringly inadequate.
2010 Bentley Azure quick specs
| Body Style | Convertible |
| Class | Large Luxury |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
2010 Bentley Azure ratings (overall rating : 3/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
The exterior styling is clearly shared with the equally opulent Bentley Arnage. The front end is similarly retro in feel, and the proportions are massive at 5.4 metres. Full of old-school British charm, the 2010 Bentley Azure may lack the curves of a modern sedan, but makes up with considerable road presence, including a definite ability to turn heads. Inside, the cabin is an artful blend of leather and wood, oozing elegance and charm at the same time.
Handling
Not an area to relish the 2010 Bentley Azure for, but it surely exceeded expectations. Once used to the 2010 Bentley Azure's massive proportions, and tweaking the driving style accordingly, handling is surprisingly responsive. For its size, body control is nimble, grip is aplenty, but further driving involvement is ruined by the overly-light steering—a problem also found on the Bentley Arnage.
Comfort
Rougher surfaces bring out some scuttle shake. Otherwise, for the most part, the ride quality is wonderfully cosseting. With the roof down, there is noticeable buffeting for the front two. With the roof up, wind and road noise is minimal. As opposed to the cluttered dashboards we commonly see nowadays, the 2010 Bentley Azure has a refreshingly simple controls' layout with big, clear buttons. Seats are as good as they come, but adjustments for the steering wheel are limited.
Quality + Reliability
The cabin is elegant and charming, the latter quality not something easily found in today's modern luxury sedans. Bentley hand-builds their cars to the highest standards, and the 2010 Bentley Azure is no different. Peerless craftsmanship can be seen through the fit-and-finish and materials used, which are either polished wood or the finest leather. Being on the market for a long time has its positives, as what lies beneath the 2010 Bentley Azure has been proven over the years. Thus reliability should be high.
Performance
Bentley engineers tuned the carried-over famous 6.75-litre V8 engine to increase the power output and refine the power delivery. Although 450 bhp is impressive, stealing the show is the 875 Nm of torque at just 1800 rpm; the endless amount of low-end torque delivers effortless performance with understated ease. Acceleration and overtaking have never seemed so relaxing. The automatic gearbox shifts seamlessly at all speeds.
Roominess
At 5.4 metres, the 2010 Bentley Azure's rear legroom should be more generous than it is. On the whole, four occupants can fit in comfortably. Each door has two door releases so that rear passengers can get out conveniently and gracefully, a crucial point for the Bentley Azure's target audience. The boot size is huge, and remains so when the roof is completely folded.
Running Costs
We don't quite dare imagine the Bentley Azure's running costs. For a start, Bentley paid little attention to fuel economy when they put an inefficient 6.8-litre V8 engine in such a hefty car. Servicing and repairs will cost a bomb. The annual road tax bill is about RM 19K, and don't forget the insurance bill. Depreciation would be the biggest incurred cost, if there is second-hand demand for such cars at all.
Value for Money
At least the Bentley Arnage has company in the form of the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Maybach 57/62, all occupying the same rarefied sector. The 2010 Bentley Azure, however, has no direct competitors. Excellent if it offers plenty of value for the money, but the 2010 Bentley Azure exceeds even the Arnage in price and arguably lags in ability. Its automotive ability is behind many others, one of them the Bentley Continental GTC, therefore any reason for getting the Bentley Azure has to be purely emotive.
Equipment
Standard equipment level is oddly not high. Leather upholstery and basic amenities are all included, but bespoke extras come as costly options. Automatic rain-sensing wipers, soft-closing door function, or electric boot-closing function are all lacking. The electric roof takes 26 seconds to open or close. Safety-wise, twin front, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock braking system, traction control and stability control are standard.
Environment
Alongside the Bentley Arnage at the top of the world's most polluting car list is the 2010 Bentley Azure. Such dishonour goes to the 2010 Bentley Azure because both use the same 6.8-litre V8 engine, which emits 465 grams/km of carbon dioxide and consumes petrol at an alarming rate. Bentley has simply ignored contemporary concerns in building both the Arnage and Azure.
Live Life Drive Verdict
Exclusive image
Lavish interior for four
Colossal torque
5.4 metres makes it hard to maneuver
Immense costs involved
Bentley Continental GTC drives better
