Spending several days behind the wheel of the new Bentley Continental GT Azure in and around Cape Town is an extraordinary privilege, and more so if it includes a drive from Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards to Pringle Bay, along one of the world’s most breathtaking stretches of coastal road.
Perched high on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain Range and overlooking False Bay, Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards offers one of the most breathtaking settings in the Stellenbosch Winelands. Against this backdrop of natural beauty and grand vistas, we began our unforgettable experience with the new Bentley Continental GT Azure.
Embodying Bentley’s commitment to wellbeing and long-distance comfort, the Continental GT Azure delivers supercar-level performance when called upon. The fourth-generation Continental GT elegantly upholds the three seminal design pillars that have defined Bentley’s lineage since the legendary 1952 R-Type Continental. The silhouette accentuates the muscular haunches over the rear wheels, lending it the poised stance of a tiger at rest, yet inherently capable of deploying devastating power. From the front, the car draws inspiration from the noble, upright stance of a thoroughbred, a look further enhanced by the “endless bonnet” that serves as a silent testament to the high-performance heart and raw speed beneath.
Sliding into the driver’s seat reveals a cabin that sets the benchmark for luxury. The new precision-quilted seats with sculptured patterns and fading perforations, combined with dark chrome finishes and mood lighting in one of 30 colours, create a cocooning environment.
The Bentley Rotating Display remains a delightful party trick, with three sides offering a 12.3″ high-definition screen, elegant analogue dials, or a seamless expanse of handcrafted veneer, each one selectable at the touch of a button.
The fixed panoramic glass sunroof framed the sweeping views of the mountains, while the advanced air ionisation system and real-time air quality displays kept the cabin fresh and invigorating.
SILENT AND RESPONSIVE
Leaving the estate, the Continental GT Azure revealed its most serene character. In electric or Bentley mode, progress was near-silent, an almost gliding sensation as the car threaded its way down the winding estate roads. The immediacy of electric torque made acceleration effortless, yet measured. Full electric mode can be deployed at speeds of up to 140 km/h, with throttle applications of up to 75%, after which the internal combustion system assumes the brunt of responsibility. With a range of up to 81 km in full electric mode, the instant torque makes gliding through traffic effortless and silent. No engine noise, just whisper-quiet propulsion that feels responsive and serene.
There was a certain symmetry to this moment. Uva Mira’s commitment to sustainability – its integration of biodiversity, its closed-loop vineyard systems, its respect for the rhythms of nature – strikes a subtle parallel with the low-slung Bentley’s hybrid powertrain. Both car and vineyard seemed to share a philosophy of innovation in the service of preservation.
The Azure’s hybrid system significantly lowers CO₂ emissions (down to around 29 g/km on the WLTP cycle in certain conditions) while offering a meaningful electric-only range. Just as the vineyard returns waste to the soil and supports biodiversity, the Bentley recaptures energy through regenerative braking and enables cleaner, more conscious motoring without sacrificing capability. The pairing felt harmonious as the car’s responsible engineering mirrors the estate’s sustainable practices, both embracing innovation to honour nature.
What sets Uva Mira apart is its deep commitment to farming in harmony with nature. The estate practises sustainable viticulture that integrates precision technology, biological research, and conservation science. Owl and bat boxes dot the trees, perches for birds of prey stand tall among the vines, and beehives support pollination while natural pest control thrives. Waste from the cellar is recycled back into the vineyards, creating a closed-loop system that respects the land and the diverse wildlife, from baboons and duikers to caracals and porcupines that roam freely. This thoughtful approach ensures exceptional wine quality while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
SUPREME COMFORT
On the road toward Pringle Bay, the Azure settled into its natural rhythm as a grand tourer. Selecting Comfort mode on the winding road from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi Els, with its sweeping curves hugging the cliffs and dramatic ocean views, the Azure felt like it was floating. The ride quality was nothing short of exceptional, supple yet composed, isolating imperfections while maintaining an underlying sense of control. The Bentley Dynamic Ride system worked imperceptibly, allowing the car to flow over the tarmac while remaining poised through sweeping bends.
The cabin became a sanctuary. Acoustic glass hushed the outside world, reducing noise to a distant suggestion. Within, the optional Naim audio system offered concert-level clarity, though at times it felt almost unnecessary as the quiet itself was enough. Wellness seating adjusted subtly over time, reducing fatigue before it could register, while the panoramic roof ensured the drama of the coastline remained ever-visible.
This stretch of road between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els is one of the Cape’s great drives. In the Azure, it becomes something more immersive. Four modes, from whisper-quiet electric glide to full-bodied grand touring muscle, each one a different shade of Azure.
UNLEASHING THE BEAST
Select Sport mode, and the character shifts. The 4.0-litre V8 engine awakens with a deep, authentic cross-plane exhaust note – rich, resonant, and entirely natural, without electronic augmentation.
The Azure’s hybrid setup, with system output of 494 kW and 930 Nm system torque available, delivers thrilling acceleration not just from 0-100 km/h, which it dispatches in just 3.8 seconds, but throughout the mid-range. In Sport mode, acceleration becomes urgent, overtakes are dispatched with ease, and the car covers ground with as much urgency as controlled authority.
The power is delivered via an eight-speed dual clutch transmission and an electronically limited-slip differential to all four wheels, for exceptional power delivery and reliable traction in all conditions. The system uses active torque vectoring from front to rear through a centre differential, and precision vectoring across each axle using the brakes.
Yet, even in Sport mode, refinement remains intact. The chassis communicates clearly but never harshly. Torque vectoring and all-wheel steering lend agility without nervousness. It is a duality executed with precision: a car equally at home in silence or in full voice, capable of both restraint and release.
LAST WORD
As the sun dropped over the ocean on the return drive, the matrix LED headlights illuminated the road with clarity and elegance. The cabin glowed softly, the audio system enhanced the moment, and the V8’s occasional burble added subtle character. Every detail, from the handcrafted materials and Bentley Rotating Display to the sophisticated dynamics, reinforced why the Continental GT Azure stands as the definitive modern Grand Tourer.
With an extraordinary range of driving capability, from extreme performance to silent, effortless electric luxury, the Continental GT Azure pairs exceptionally well with Uva Mira because both represent thoughtful excellence, through heritage and craftsmanship elevated by innovation, power expressed with responsibility, and experiences that honour their environments. The estate’s wines capture the pure essence of place through sustainable methods; the Bentley delivers supreme luxury and performance while embracing hybrid technology for a lower-impact future.
Spending a few memorable days with the Continental GT Azure was a reminder of what is possible when engineering, artistry, and environmental respect align. For the ultimate blend of luxury, performance, and conscious capability, this Bentley delivers beyond expectations. It is, quite simply, a masterpiece.
Report by WILHELM LOOTS | Images © RYAN ABBOTT
