The Azure Ascent: A Review of the 2025 Bentley Continental GT Azure

The Bentley Continental GT has long stood as the definitive grand tourer, a magnificent fusion of supercar performance and ultra-luxury indulgence. For 2025, it enters a new, electrified era, and the Continental GT Azure emerges as the embodiment of Bentley's commitment to refined, high-tech, and wellness-focused luxury within this fourth-generation platform. It represents a significant evolution, shedding the iconic W12 in favour of a sophisticated plug-in hybrid V8, a move that subtly but fundamentally shifts the character of this legendary coupe.

A New Heart of Grand Touring: The High Performance Hybrid

The most profound change for the 2025 Continental GT is beneath its long, sweeping bonnet. The Azure model is powered by Bentley’s new High Performance Hybrid (HPH) powertrain. This system pairs an advanced 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with a powerful electric motor and a 25.9 kWh battery pack. The combined output is a formidable 680 PS (671 bhp) and a maximum torque of 930 Nm (686 lb-ft).

In an age where grand tourers must balance potent performance with environmental consciousness, the HPH system is a masterstroke. The acceleration is breathtaking, propelling the Azure from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds), figures that surpass the previous generation's W12 on all performance parameters, a truly staggering achievement. However, the Azure’s character isn’t defined purely by speed; it is the effortlessness of the delivery that truly impresses. The electric motor’s instant torque fills any momentary lag from the V8, resulting in a seamless, tidal wave of power.

Crucially, the new hybrid system introduces an electric-only mode, offering a substantial claimed range of up to 50 miles (80 km) and allowing for serene, near-silent cruising at city and even highway speeds (up to 87 mph). This dual nature—silent cruiser and explosive GT—significantly broadens the car's bandwidth, making it an arguably superior daily companion than its purely combustion-engined predecessor. The only minor trade-off is the vehicle's significant weight, a consequence of the battery pack, which, while well-managed by the active chassis systems, is noticeable during hard braking and the most aggressive directional changes.

Sculpted Serenity: Exterior and Dynamics

Bentley has wisely chosen refinement over revolution for the Continental GT’s aesthetic. The iconic silhouette remains, but the 2025 model receives subtly massaged styling. The most noticeable change is the new front fascia, featuring 'Harmony Crystal' headlamps and a distinctive, chrome vertical-vaned grille specific to the Azure model. The effect is a look that is simultaneously fresh and instantly recognisable as a Bentley. The Azure is further distinguished by its exclusive 22-inch Azure wheels and subtle 'Azure' badging on the front fender, a visual cue denoting its focus on comfort and wellness.

The dynamic systems are equally honed. The chassis features all-wheel steering for enhanced agility and low-speed manoeuvrability, Bentley Dynamic Ride—a 48-volt active anti-roll system—that ensures a flat, composed ride regardless of cornering forces, and new twin-valve dampers. In the Azure, these systems are calibrated specifically for maximum comfort and refinement. The ride is exquisitely plush, gliding over imperfections that would unsettle lesser cars, making long-distance travel a truly restorative experience.

The Wellness Sanctuary: Interior and Technology

If the powertrain is the new heart of the Continental GT, the interior is its soul. The Azure trim elevates the already opulent cabin to a sanctuary of wellbeing. This focus is encapsulated by the Front Seat Comfort Specification, which is standard, offering 22-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and a massage function. Furthermore, the innovative Wellness Seat Technology utilises air pockets beneath the seat surface to subtly adjust pressure points, promoting better posture and reducing fatigue on long journeys.

Materials are, as expected, peerless. The Azure features the exquisite 3D Harmony Diamond Quilting on the seats and door inners, and the upholstery can be commissioned in a single or duo-tone colourway from 15 hide colours. Open-Pore Crown Cut Walnut veneers are fitted as standard, celebrating natural texture over high-gloss sheen. The attention to detail is obsessive, from the 'Azure' emblems embroidered on the headrests to the illuminated treadplates. A panoramic sunroof is a welcome standard feature, flooding the cabin with natural light.

Technology is integrated seamlessly. The renowned Bentley Rotating Display remains an optional highlight, offering the choice to switch between the 12.3-inch high-definition MMI touchscreen, three beautiful analogue gauges, or a plain wood veneer. The infotainment system is modern and intuitive, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For those focused on a smooth journey, the Azure also includes the Touring Specification as standard, bundling in advanced driver assistance features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, and a Head-Up Display, making long hauls effortlessly safe and comfortable. The cabin is further enhanced by an advanced air-conditioning system capable of filtering PM2.5 particles, further contributing to the 'wellness' experience.

Final Verdict

The 2025 Bentley Continental GT Azure does not just succeed its predecessors; it transcends them. It achieves the improbable feat of delivering superior performance, technological sophistication, and a more eco-conscious profile, all while magnifying the core pillars of the Bentley experience: handcrafted luxury and peerless comfort.

The move to the High Performance Hybrid V8 is a defining moment. For the purists who mourn the W12, the explosive power and sublime refinement of the new setup offers a compelling, future-proof alternative that truly enhances the grand touring experience. The Azure trim, with its unwavering focus on passenger wellbeing, luxurious appointments, and effortlessly integrated technology, makes every journey an occasion.

This is a car for those who demand supercar pace but insist on first-class comfort. The 2025 Continental GT Azure is not just a car; it is a meticulously engineered, handcrafted sanctuary that happens to be one of the fastest, most luxurious, and most complete grand tourers in the world. It is the pinnacle of the modern Bentley, an undeniable masterpiece of engineering and artistry.