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Here we back with the review of the 2006 Bentley Azure. The Azure convertible is manufactured in Crewe, England, at the same facility that turns out Bentley's Arnage sedans and special Mulliner editions.

At a dedicated Azure assembly area, about 6,500 spot welds are performed by hand using robotics to locate and clinch all closure panels. Finishing work is done in the Mulliner department, and the use of lightweight carbon-fiber cross braces contributes to the Azure's "exceptional levels of body stiffness," according to the company. The car hits U.S. dealerships in spring 2006.

Bentley says the new model's design was inspired not only by the 1995 - 2002 Azure, but also by the 1955 Park Ward S1 drophead coupe. In addition to borrowing its double-wishbone suspension and rigid body structure from four-door Bentleys, the new two-door Azure shares its front fascia with the current Arnage sedan.

The bumpers are body-colored, and chrome trim runs the length of the car's lower sides. The Azure's three-layer fabric top is hydraulically operated and can stow beneath a hide-trimmed tonneau cover in less than 30 seconds.

Guys, here is me Jay, one of the author of this blog. Back again to review the 2002 Bentley Azure. Bentley's two-door four-seat convertible was introduced in 1995 and underwent a slight restyling in 1998. No modifications have been made since then.\

Allergic to faux-leather vinyl? Plastic wood give you hives? Feel the heebee-jeebees when nylon brushes against you? Then get thee to your nearest Bentley dealer for a cure for the synthetic blues. Save for some switchgear, you will have little chance of coming in contact with anything other than organic materials or animal by-products.

Case in point: the Bentley Azure. Practically every surface is swathed in magnificent materials, from the fine Connolly leather on your seats (heated, of course, to warm your bum) to the matching hide on your steering wheel and the dashboard cowl. Wilton carpet and lamb's wool rugs prevent scuffs on your Tod's driving moccasins, and you've a wide choice of fine wood veneers and finishes, including burr walnut with straight-grained walnut banding. Every detail can be specified to order. Even exterior bodywork can be modified -- provided it does not compromise the integrity of the car and complies with safety legislation.

Bentley bolsters its Arnage line with a 400-horsepower V-8 engine, a satellite-based navigation system and electronic parking sensors to prevent parking lot dings on this ultra-luxury vehicle (estimated base price: $203,000). Parking sensors in the front and rear bumpers alert the driver when the car is close to another object.

British-based Bentley has long been owned by the same company as Rolls-Royce and served as a marginally more affordable alternative, but that will change in a few years as part of a cat fight over the two revered brands involving BMW and Volkswagen.

On Jan. 1, 2003, Volkswagen takes control of Bentley Motor Cars and BMW takes over all things related to Rolls-Royce — and the two brands will go their separate ways. Until then, Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars will produce, sell and service both marques worldwide.

You may expect a car of this pedigree to be the size of a yacht, but the Arnage is 212 inches long, a few inches shorter than a Lincoln Town Car. Its heaviness, however, is more substantial: Bentley estimates the fully loaded weight is 6,275 pounds. The Arnage is the same basic car as the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph but has different features.