-
The current generation’s single headlamp design is a nod the original. -
The detailing in the Azure spec’s luxurious interior is testament to the leather-, wood- and metalwork of Bentley’s master craftsmen and women. -
The detailing in the Azure spec’s luxurious interior is testament to the leather-, wood- and metalwork of Bentley’s master craftsmen and women. -
The detailing in the Azure spec’s luxurious interior is testament to the leather-, wood- and metalwork of Bentley’s master craftsmen and women. -
The detailing in the Azure spec’s luxurious interior is testament to the leather-, wood- and metalwork of Bentley’s master craftsmen and women.
Nobody combines sophistication with blistering performance quite like Bentley. And with the continental CT Azure, the crew from Crewe has prioritised refinement and luxury over pure speed.
WORDS Steve Smith PHOTOS Supplied
Little over 74 years ago the very first Bentley R-Type Continental was delivered to a no-doubt delighted customer, who could proudly lay claim to owning the fastest four-seater in the world. With only 208 produced, R-Type Continental would become one of the most celebrated models in the storied marque’s lineage, establishing the grand touring DNA for generations of Continentals.
The car on these pages is the latest incarnation in that proud history. Launched in 2024, it represents a return to its design roots, being the first mainstream Bentley with single headlamps since that iconic 1950s R-Type Continental. The model we drove is the one you see on these pages: the Azure spec. And while it’s still eye-wateringly quick, thanks to a 500kW hybrid powertrain that will propel it to 270km/h, this Continental GT Azure prioritises the wellbeing and comfort of its occupants. Basically, it’s the “wellness spec”.
So what does that mean? First, the car’s drive systems are marginally more zen than its racehorse siblings’, with a focus more on ride quality than handling sharpness. Visually, it offers a more classic, elegant material palette versus the darker, sport-oriented finishes found on performance-focused models. More luxury lounge, in other words.
The front seats get Bentley’s most advanced comfort package as standard, with heating, ventilation, massage, Postural Adjust (micro-adjustments via air bladders to reduce fatigue), and Seat Auto Climate (automatic temperature and humidity management). The Azure also places unusual emphasis on passenger wellbeing with an enhanced air-filtration system, and CO2 concentration monitoring and display – features rarely highlighted in performance-oriented derivatives.
Whichever spec you choose – and there are several – one thing that doesn’t change is that distinctive Bentley DNA. The brand produces vehicles that turn heads and transform turning up into an art form. Bentley calls it “success by design”, and Bentley calls it “success by design”, and by that they mean focusing on elements that make a car a Bentley. And who better to flesh out those principles than head of design Robin Page?
“Our first principle is that every Bentley has a stance of a resting beast,” says Robin. “Second is the upright elegance. Third, a Bentley has exceptional performance and a powerful powertrain, indicated by the endless bonnet line. The new GT’s more modern design uses single oval lamps intersected by a striking eyebrow feature, giving the car’s face a focused expression.”
I like to think of this Azure as focusing on the sketch its owner has made of a new house in Higgovale, nestled in the shadow of Table Mountain. It’s the Continental GT spec best understood as the “architect’s Bentley”. Looking down its nose at the crassness of visual aggression and outright performance, it prioritises material richness, occupant wellbeing, ride comfort and long-distance travel. In design terms, it’s the most sophisticated and understated spec in the Continental GT range. | bentleymotors.com
Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.
