2009 Bentley Azure: T Stands for 50?

Bentley is upping the luxury stakes with a new "T" version of its Azure convertible, due for a debut at the Los Angeles auto show.

The new 2009 Bentley Azure T, the VW-owned brand says, is "the world’s most elegant convertible and destined to become a future classic." Backing up that statement is the high-performance twin-turbo version of the brand's 6.75-liter V-8, which breathes out 500 bhp in this application. It's still coupled to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, and together they conspire for a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 179 mph, Bentley promises.

Cosmetic upgrades--because T owners can hardly bear to be seen in the same room with the 450-hp Azure crowd--include dark-tinted grilles, twin exhaust pipes, 20-inch wheels, quilted interior trim, and an iPod interface, as well as a choice of eight woods, 25 leathers, and 42 exterior paint colors. A Naim audio system is also standard in the T, along with 10 speakers, a dual-channel subwoofer, and an 1,100-watt amplifier.

There's more to come next week, as TheCarConnection.com reports from the Los Angeles auto show.

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Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius. 2009 Bentley Azure TEnlarge PhotoBentley is upping the luxury stakes with a new "T" version of its Azure convertible, due for a debut at the Los Angeles auto show. The new 2009 Bentley Azure T, the VW-owned brand says, is "the world’s most elegant convertible and destined to become a future classic." Backing up that statement is the high-performance twin-turbo version of the brand's 6.75-liter V-8, which breathes out 500 bhp in this application. It's still coupled to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, and together they conspire for a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 179 mph, Bentley promises. Cosmetic upgrades--because T owners can hardly bear to be seen in the same room with the 450-hp Azure crowd--include dark-tinted grilles, twin exhaust pipes, 20-inch wheels, quilted interior trim, and an iPod interface, as well as a choice of eight woods, 25 leathers, and 42 exterior paint colors. A Naim audio system is also standard in the T, along with 10 speakers, a dual-channel subwoofer, and an 1,100-watt amplifier. There's more to come next week, as TheCarConnection.com reports from the Los Angeles auto show. --- Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.