 |
| The Bentley 6.75-L V8, nearly identical to the engine that powers the ultra fast Continental T, produces an authoritative 420 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of soul stirring torque. (Photo: Bentley Motors) |
While the new coupé and convertible to follow will usher in a performance-oriented era not seen since the premium marque joined forces with Rolls-Royce in 1932 and started building its cars side by side in the Crewe facility in 1946, the outgoing models are hardly handicapped. The Continental R and Azure Final Series models will feature traditional turbo boosted V8s with no less than 420-hp, undoubtedly adequate to sprint each to highway speeds in short order. Additional performance-oriented features will compliment the powerful engines.
 |
| Adrian Hallmark, Bentley Motor's member of the board for sales & marketing. (Photo: Bentley Motors) |
According to Adrian Hallmark, Bentley Motor's member of the board for sales & marketing, "Both the Continental R and Azure form an integral part of Bentley's development as an independent marque. These Final Series models are the purest expression of two cars that combine the uniquely Bentley blend of hand-crafted luxury with supreme performance.'
Expect each model, based on the 1991 Continental R and 1995 Azure respectively, to become instantly collectible not only for their classic, timeless styling but more so due to their significance in ending an era of Rolls-Royce dependency, and of course their extremely limited exclusivity. On the latter note only 1,533 Continentals R's and 1,235 Azures have been produce since 1991 and 1995 respectively, exclusive indeed.