The name Bentley has, in recent years, attained a more massive public popularity due in part to the celebrities that have openly declared their preference to the brand’s cars. This is because Bentley Motors, which was founded in 1919, had, right from the start, sought to make “…a good car, a fast car, the best in class.” It is a goal that had driven the company to create just that, and more, over the decades that followed. Many of the Bentley cars made over the years have become icons of the automotive industry, like the Bentley Turbo R, and have even been featured in many movies, T.V. shows, and books. And while Bentley is more widely known as a luxury car brand, the company has also made vehicles that are more sporty and fun, and these are the Bentley convertibles.
Convertibles have always been stylish and sporty versions of the traditional automobile. A Bentley convertible is no exception.
An early convertible from the brand was the Bentley Continental convertible, made from 1984 to 1995. It is also known as the second generation Corniche, a model name used by both Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The Bentley Continental used a Rolls-Royce V8 engine, increasing in size and power during its run. Over the years, the car would also change in appearance ever so slightly, from simple modifications which involved the body paint and bumper design, to revisions to the dashboard, consoles, and even the furnishings. Like all Bentleys before it, it oozed luxury and sophistication, and was equipped with cutting-edge engineering technology that gave the car a smooth ride, in addition to being safe via anti-lock brakes and alloy and rubber bumpers.
Modern Continentals would follow suit and also have convertible versions of their own. The Bentley Continental GT convertible, also known as the Flying Spur, was first made in 2003, and is still available today. Its 6-litre, 12 cylinder engine produces a massive 552 bhp that can accelerate the car from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, a massive feat considering the general size and weight of the Continental GT is above average. Further variations of the Continental GT, like the Continental GTC, and the GT Supersports, would also have convertible versions, inheriting the original Continental GT’s affinity with large, powerful engines, luxurious interiors, and very sophisticated, yet sporty, designs. The Bentley GT convertible cars are some of the most popular high-end luxury convertibles today.
Another Bentley model that has embraced the convertible design is the Bentley Azure convertible. It is a relatively newer model, unlike the Continental, and was first released in 1995 as a four-seater convertible. The first generation of Azure was designed using the Continental R platform, and was equipped with a large 6.75L V8 engine, able to push the car from 0-60 in just 6.1 seconds, which like the Continental GT, was an impressive feat considering the Azure is a large and heavy vehicle. The second, and following versions of the Azure would use the Arnage platform, and would further improve upon the engine power, design, and efficiency of the car.
Today, Bentley sales continue to rise thanks to the company’s many convertible models, past and present. A convertible Bentley is a way to show off one’s sporty and playful nature.
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