It’s been five years since the Bentley Azure was retired, bringing the reign of the roofless ‘Big Bentley’ to a close – and leaving the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé with a market segment to itself. But now, the Azure’s spiritual successor will once again bring some Cannes-style glamour to the boulevards of Los Angeles, as the drop-top version of the flagship Mulsanne has finally been revealed. Simply named Grand Convertible, the opulent open-air cruiser will be powered by the same 6.75-litre V8 as its four-door counterpart.

White winter wafting

With 530bhp and 811lb ft, wafting will be as effortless as you might expect – but it’s the intricate little details that are perhaps more important to the ‘average’ Bentley buyer. Inside, no fewer than 14 leather hides are joined with progressive-diamond quilting, while the book-matched, mirror-finished and dark-stained Burr Walnut tonneau features the largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley. The Grand Convertible will make its L.A. Motor Show debut this week (wearing Sequin Blue with a ‘liquid metal’ finish to the bonnet and windscreen frame), ahead of touchdown at Miami Beach Art Basel in early December.

Photos: Bentley