BLUE BLOOD

At Rs 3.9 crore, wouldn8217;t you rather have a luxury roadster? Not if it8217;s a convertible called Bentley that can seat four

When the mother of all luxury brands makes an 18-ft-long convertible, provides room for four and a fold-down roof, all at a price that can buy you a penthouse in a posh locality, people of means take notice. This is not the sort of car that anybody can afford to buy. Like a yacht, it is bought by the super-rich as an indulgence8212;Bentley too assumes that Azure buyers would already have at least five other cars. For this rarefied customer, the Azure is a prized toy, not a vehicle for transportation.

The Rs 3.9 crore ex-showroom in Delhi Azure, largely hand-built, is a true blue Bentley when it comes to craftsmanship and traditional opulence. It also happens to be the world8217;s most expensive convertible.

Based on Bentley8217;s latest Arnage model, the Azure8217;s body is stiffer and provides better handling than the previous model. Even though the Arnage isn8217;t exactly the pinnacle of modern design, Bentley engineers have worked extensively on it to make its lines suitable for the convertible. The big and brutish looks of the Arnage are very visible in the Azure. The mammoth convertible also retains its elder sibling8217;s suspension, which provides superb cushioned driving experience. The car sails smoothly over potholes, thanks to the 19-inch wheels that might make a less well-engineered convertible shake. However, with low ground clearance, it wouldn8217;t be a good idea zooming in the Azure over speed-breakers.

Fire up the Azure and the smooth sound of the 6.75-litre V8 engine, which pumps 450 bhp, welcomes the driver. The car retains the effortless power which Bentley is famous for, but gets a new a six-speed automatic transmission gear box to replace the old four-speed automatic.

The Azure handles itself quite well for a large car. Throw the car in a curve and rev up the engine, and it remains well-mannered and does what its master commands. But with so much power, it is far from being a roadster. It8217;s best to let the Azure just glide.

The convertible8217;s hood can be raised very quietly at a driving speed of up to 32 kmph. The head-lining is very smooth and comes with a rear reading light8212;a first for an open-top car.

The interior is trimmed with slabs of walnut as standard issue. But if there8217;s a particular tree you would like to see on the dashboard, Bentley will happily chop it down for you. The same goes for the upholstery. If you prefer something other than cow skin, that8217;s not a problem. There are many options8212;hides of buffaloes or ostriches, you name it, they have it8212;so long as you8217;re ready to pay and it8217;s not an endangered animal. What about alligator skin?

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The Azure comes with a reach adjustment on the steering wheel. The driving position is accommodating and threre8217;s enough rear legroom as well. All the hi-tech gadgets are available, including a DVD screen on the dashboard. The air vents are controlled by chrome blots and the display of the dashboard looks exactly like a vintage car. All in all, the cabin is a special place to spend time in.

Yes, it appears ridiculous to pay Rs 3.9 crore for a car when you can buy true roadsters like Mercedes Benz SL-55 or the BMW M3 and still have some serious loose change. But the fact remains that there is no luxury convertible capable of carrying four adults in comfort. So if you can afford to pay insurance worth Rs 11.5 lakh8212;a Honda City comes for that money8212;then this is the ultimate toy. The Azure8217;s fuel economy is 3-4 kmpl, but then it is a three-tonne monster. After all, it8217;s a Bentley and if the mileage scares you, then hatchbacks are the cars for you8212;and keep walking when you come across the super-luxury car maker8217;s showroom.