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Bentley’s Azure Begets Welcome Attention
Automotive enthusiasts, like devoted baseball fans, apparently love statistics. How much power does the car have? How quickly will it go from 0 to 60? In the Bentley Azure’s case, this voluptuous drophead coupe, a model those of us in the colonies call convertible, will quietly lunge to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. And if you keep the massive engine at full boil, the nearly 6,000 pounds of elegant machinery can be propelled to 171 mph.
Why anyone would press this beautiful Bentley into amateur speed contests with lesser vehicles is beyond my comprehension. After all, most ordinary sports cars will charge around an autocross course faster and with much less fuss than this big convertible. But when you arrive at the posh resort or restaurant in your Azure, few cars will trump you for the unabashed affection of the valet attendant. And isn’t that a persuasive reason to own a car like this?
When I glided up to the front gate of an exclusive country club in Newport Beach, a feminine voice announced, "you’ve arrived" in a proper British accent. How perfectly appropriate. And although I was expected, the guard shared with me that he would allow my entry even if I hadn’t been on the guest list. That’s the kind of welcome that just doesn’t happen in an ordinary car.
The voice belonged to a navigation system that’s sourced from an aftermarket supplier, complete with a remote control to program its functions. The screen deploys straight up from the dashboard covering in James Bond fashion when prompted and its functions work quite well, once you’re familiar with the menu.
The big Bentley’s mixture of old and new technology might be a real problem in a lesser brand, but it works quite well in the Azure. From the simple grille topped with its flying B emblem to the lavish use of hand-stitched leather and madroña wood veneer, the Azure has retained its classic style. And today, the elegant drophead is just up to date enough to please a discriminating clientele.
The double padded convertible top is still made of flexible materials, but now it quietly disappears underneath a fixed boot that’s flush with the bodywork. And because it’s not a folding metal roof, there’s adequate trunk space for luggage or golf clubs.
For some time now, the Bentley Azure has been in a class of one in the rare marketplace that automakers label ultra-luxury. That stature changed a bit when Bentley introduced its Continental GTC, a new convertible based on Bentley’s contemporary, smaller coupe. The GTC is also more reasonably priced than the Arnage-based Azure and a bit faster, but far less comfortable for rear seat occupants and a bit less interesting to parking valets.
Rolls Royce has just launched a new Phantom convertible that has the grand proportions of the Azure along with a few yachting fitments that include an optional teak-topped convertible top cover and a polished stainless steel bonnet, or hood if you prefer. But the price for the Rolls drophead is a cool $100,000 more than the Azure, and there’s no guarantee that it will buy better driveway treatment. — Brian Douglas
Specifications
Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine: 6.75-liter, Twin Turbo V8
Horsepower: 450 @ 4,100 rpm
Torque: 645 foot-pounds @ 1,800 rpm
Base Price: $329,990
As Tested: $358,045
Fuel Economy: 11 city,16 highway
Yachtfest 2007
The eighth annual YachtFest San Diego will take place on Shelter Island September 13-16. As with previous years, guests will experience tours of over 30 super yachts, attend seminars on yachting, and peruse a multitude of vendors. This year’s event will spotlight dozens of seafaring mini-mansions, which in past years have included the Montigne, a 152-foot Feadship tri-deck motor yacht; the Dakota, 2001 Crescent Custom, 127-foot tri-deck motor yacht; and the Barchetta, a 157-foot Christensen, tri-deck motor yacht. Also included this year is the All Decked Out fashion show, a benefit for the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, an organization that supports San Diego’s military service men and women and sends care packages to our troops overseas."Sales of mega-yachts have more than tripled in the past ten years," says Doug Sharp, YachtFest board chair, "and this is the foremost place in the Western United States to buy, sell, or just step aboard a super yacht." (858/836-0133,
www.yachtfest.com) — Alicia Garcia
Wavecrest Woodies
Break out your Beach Boys CD and get into the spirit of Southern California surf culture while you admire the classic beauty of wooden-bodied automobiles. The 28th annual Wavecrest Woodie Meet will take over Moonlight Beach in Encinitas on September 15 with the largest gathering of woodies in the world. As woodies and surfing seem to go hand in hand, the event draws many vintage longboards displayed along with the cars. The event is free for both spectators and participants and will begin at 7:30am. Visitors can spend the day admiring the cars, surfing the waves, and barbecuing on the beach. The awards ceremony will take place at 3pm and trophies will be awarded in the categories of Best Wood, Best Sixty Surfer Woodie, Best Town and Country, Best License Plate, Best Hot Rod, Longest Distance Driven, Hard Luck, and People’s Choice. While the event officially ends at 3:30pm, die hard woodie owners often hang out until after sunset. (www.wavecrestwoodies.com) — Rina Van Orden
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Purrfect Timing
If your cat is like mine, he has no tolerance for you sleeping late while his food bowl is empty. How many Saturdays must I walk into the kitchen and find all the cupboards open and the bag of cat food ripped to shreds on the floor, a grinning feline slumped over on his side with a full belly spilled out before him. (Why does he need to open every cupboard, anyway? The food’s in the same one every time.) Enter the Perfect Pet Feeder from Pillar Pet Products, Inc. The stainless steel automated pet feeder was designed to help paunchy pooches and fat cats get on a regular feeding diet, as well as provide consistent feeding control for pet owners who have to leave home for a day or two. Unlike cheaper models, the Perfect Pet Feeder has a patented dispensing mechanism that eliminates food jams. "Like most good inventions," says CEO Scott McLlarky, "this was born out of necessity to feed our own cats, who have no self control whatsoever. We wanted something that was high quality and reliable. Leaving pets alone is not something people take lightly, so we came up with a device that won’t jam." The Perfect Pet Feeder comes with a three-year, no cost replacement guarantee. It comes equipped with two feeding bowls. $699. (www.perfectpetfeeder.com)
Cool Carrier
If, however, you are planning to take the pets with you on vacation, consider the Komfort Pet’s new carrier with climate and feeding control functions. There’s no need to fret about the temperature of a plane’s cargo hold — the carrier automatically cools your pet once it rises above 72 degrees. Conversely, if it goes below 65 degrees, the carrier will heat your pampered pooch. All settings are predetermined by veterinarian-recommended set points. The company debuted its small carrier (19 by 13 inches) just a couple of months ago at a price of $399. A mid-sized carrier is being released this fall. What’s more, ten percent of all proceeds go to charity. (888/929-0077, www.komfortpets.com)
Techo Dreamcoat
Though not the first fashion garment to work hand in hand with gadgets, Italian suit maker Ermenegildo Zegna’s new solar powered jacket might be the best looking one. The panels on the collars funnel energy to the internal power system, which can be used to charge an iPod or a cell phone. (My Motorola Razor phone depletes in minutes when I’m in a roaming area. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to make a call only to discover my phone is kaput.) According to Zegna, the panels can be removed and used independently from the jacket. Five hours in daylight is enough to keep everything charged. The $750 jacket will be available this fall at Neiman Marcus.
(www.zegna.com)
— Ryan Thomas
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