Since the release of the flagship Mulsanne sedan, Bentley has been rumored to be working on an Azure follow up. Yes, the company currently produces the Continental GTC, but many enthusiasts really know its a Volkswagen Phaeton's chassis that lies beneath. To some, it will never be a real Bentley.

The Mulsanne, on the other hand, is a different story. And the Grand Convertible that takes much of the Mulsanne and repackages it in two-door, convertible form is undoubtedly a proper Bentley.

2014 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview

Equipped with an iconic 6.75-liter V8 motor and swaths of veneered wood, we're pretty sure you haven't seen anything like this since the likes of the Azure. It oozes Bentley.

As of now the company is playing coy and telling the world it's a concept — of course by NOT saying it's a concept. Essentially, the marque is going to see how in-market consumers react to this auto and see if they have a business case to produce this over-the-top convertible.

Given production numbers would be über low if it were to make production, we're pretty sure you can expect this thing to see the light of day outside an auto show.


2014 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview




Bentley's press release follows:

BENTLEY GRAND CONVERTIBLE REDEFINES THE LUXURY OF OPEN-AIR DRIVING

Nov 18, 2014

• The most sophisticated and elegant convertible
• Developed to signify Bentley’s intentions for the future
• The ultimate expression of the British luxury automobile
• On display at the Los Angeles Auto Show from 19^th November alongside the new Mulsanne Speed sedan

(Crewe, 18^th November 2014) The ultimate expression of British automotive luxury is imagined with the Bentley Grand Convertible, the most sophisticated open-top car ever created by Bentley. Iconic yet understated in style and fashioned entirely by hand from the very finest materials, this unrivalled flagship of luxury represents the ultimate in powerful, sensuous roofless motoring.

Bentley Chairman and CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer, who unveiled the car in Los Angeles, commented: 

“This concept demonstrates Bentley’s ability to create a pinnacle convertible Grand Tourer, while embodying elegance beyond compare. With this car we combine the opulent Mulsanne experience with the full sensory indulgence of open-air touring, continuing to unite luxury and performance in new ways.           

“We are eagerly awaiting the response of our customers to this car. We will ensure that this car - if it reaches the roads – will be a highly exclusive, extremely limited collector’s piece.”

The Bentley Grand Convertible will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show from 19^th November 2014.

Powerful, Refined, Exquisite

Resplendent in Sequin Blue, originally a bespoke colour created from a single sequin from a customer’s haute couture gown, the Grand Convertible features a silver “liquid metal” finish to the bonnet and windscreen frame. Contrasting the rich blue body work is the Bentley directional wheel design, handed to the left and right sides of the car and finished by hand before being polished to a high shine.

The wheels hint at the enormous power and torque that wait under the bonnet. With 537 PS (530 bhp / 395 kW) and 1,100 Nm (811 lb.ft) of torque from Bentley’s legendary 6¾-litre twin-turbo V8 engine of the flagship Mulsanne, the Grand Convertible promises the luxury of effortless performance to match its unparalleled style.

As cossetting as it is breath-taking, the interior of the Grand Convertible is a showcase for the abilities of Bentley’s master craftsmen. 14 naturally tanned leather hides are merged together with progressive-diamond quilting, with the shape of the pattern changing over the seats and doors in a cabin sized for four adults. Bright blue is used to highlight the extraordinary skill of Bentley’s trim specialists, with Sequin Blue thread cross-stitched by hand through the linen-coloured leather. The light hide is contrasted by the sleek elegance of Beluga leather around the top of the doors and extending back to the rear tonneau, framed in polished chrome.

The tonneau itself provides the most significant example of Bentley craftsmanship at its finest. Replete with book-matched, mirror-finished and dark-stained Burr Walnut, the tonneau features the largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley. Fashioned entirely by hand, this expanse of veneer is only paralleled by the creations of the world’s best furniture makers, and is finished with elegant parallel lines of chromed steel.

Following the Los Angeles Auto Show, in December the Grand Convertible will travel to Miami for Art Basel, the world's premier international art show for Modern and contemporary work.