Azure Bentley Azure ending production... to be replaced by four-door convertible?

[HighestOfHigh]

The current Bentley Azure may have only been in production for four years, but the platform that underpins it goes back to 1998. Developed back when both Bentley and Rolls-Royce were under Vickers ownership, it's the same platform that formed the basis for the Arnage saloon and Brooklands coupe. But with the introduction of the Mulsanne – as we reported back in September – the old platform is set to be retired altogether.

Now that Bentley is concentrating its efforts on the Mulsanne, the Azure is reportedly the next to be discontinued. But if you're super-wealthy and looking for a way to shuttle yourself and your company around the Riviera in open-air opulence, fret not, because a replacement is on the way.

According to new reports, however, the next-generation Azure (or whatever name Crewe selects for the model) may gain a couple of doors. If so, it would – not withstanding the likes of the Maybach Landaulet or Jeep Wrangler – bring back the long-dormant body-style of a four-door convertible, thus separating itself from the Rolls-Royce Phantom DropHead Coupe with which it will be competing.

- Bentley Azure ending production... to be replaced by four-door convertible? — Autoblog

 

[Merc1]

Sounds like something special is on the way.

M

 

[Wunderkind]

Sounds like something special is on the way.

M

No way, a four-door convertible is a bitch to engineer. I doubt Bentley had the resources to design and engineer such a small-volume model. It doesn't make any economic sense. Also, a four-door convertible Bentley will weigh 3 tonnes because of all the additional reinforcements required.

A four-door convertible concept, maybe. But a four-door convertible ready for production, NO.

 

[Merc1]

I say the same thing, but Bentley has VW behind it and with the type of empire VW had going now anything is possible IMO. Bentleys are already overweight and their buyers couldn't care less about it. Somebody is going to do a 4-door convertible in the new few years IMO, and it will either be Daimler AG via Mercedes or Maybach or a brand within the VW Empire.


M

 

[Wunderkind]

I say the same thing, but Bentley has VW behind it and with the type of empire VW had going now anything is possible IMO. Bentleys are already overweight and their buyers couldn't care less about it. Somebody is going to do a 4-door convertible in the new few years IMO, and it will either be Daimler AG via Mercedes or Maybach or a brand within the VW Empire.


M

I highly doubt it. Bentley has finite resources. It only has access to VW parts bin and testing facilities.

The Mulsanne monocoque does not look like one that was designed and engineered with a 4-door chop-top in mind. But it was definitely engineered for a coupe sibling, have a look at the door-sills and floorpan in one of the videos. The floorpan looks very similar to the Arnage, probably an item carried over from the Arnage.

A 4-door convertible is very very very difficult to make it drive, handle, and ride well. There is no way Bentley (or anyone) can acheive class-leading performances with such a layout. Not to mention the safety aspects. Even with suicide-doors, one of the doors will have to have a 'virtual B-pillar' and it's near impossible without a roof.

Mercedes tried it with the Ocean Drive but gave up on the idea and the suicide doors with the original CLS. But they couldn't make it work. The compromises were too great and negated all the benefits.

 

[Merc1]

Yeah I know all that, the engineering will be tough, but its been done before and it can be done again. The only thing holding it back would be the money to engineer it, VW has it. I just wouldn't rule it out is all I'm saying. Porsche is even talking about a Panemera convertible. We don't know for sure that Mercedes has ruled it out either.


M

 

[zegerman]

A 4-door convertible is very very very difficult to make it drive, handle, and ride well. There is no way Bentley (or anyone) can acheive class-leading performances with such a layout.

I know I'm merely nitpicking but since there aren't any four door convertibles around it should be quite easy to achieve class-leading performance, just make one

 

[Wunderkind]

Yeah I know all that, the engineering will be tough, but its been done before and it can be done again. The only thing holding it back would be the money to engineer it, VW has it. I just wouldn't rule it out is all I'm saying. Porsche is even talking about a Panemera convertible. We don't know for sure that Mercedes has ruled it out either.


M

For Porsche to make the Panamera 4-door convertible to work, they'd have to double the size of the door-sills and probably double-skin the bottom of the car to claw back some, not all, of the ridigity lost. Hence the reason I say the compromise is too great and outweighs all the benefits.

It will be interesting to see how Porsche goes about doing it.

I know I'm merely nitpicking but since there aren't any four door convertibles around it should be quite easy to achieve class-leading performance, just make one

I know

But I count the RR Phantom Drophead as a competitor.

 

[Centurion]

A four door Mulsanne can be a potential reality. VAG has the technology to develop one, especially when filed patents hints at a four door Panamera.