Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Exotic
Production years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
The 2006 Bentley Azure was the last convertible built on a chassis from an era when Rolls-Royce and Bentley brands were under the same roof and shared the same engines.
After Volkswagen bought the Crewe factory and the Bentley name and BMW bought the Rolls-Royce brand and the grille with the Spirit of Ecstasy, things didn't go too well between the German competitors. But Volkswagen didn't have an engine to suit a Bentley and didn't want to use the 4.4-liter V8 from the Bavarian company. So, the Volkswagen management decided to go with the old 6.75-liter Rolls-Royce/Bentley V8 engine but added two turbochargers.
The massive convertible was built for relaxed drivings and comfort. To achieve that, the vehicle had to be heavy, have a long wheelbase and thick chairs inside. The massive look of the car with a slightly sloped rear end had the classic look of a luxurious vehicle. And the Azure was nothing short on it.
Inside, the wood and leather were the main materials used. Some buttons were metallic while only a few were made out of plastic. The big, flat, chairs upfront had multiple adjustments and even a massage function. Over the years, that wasn't unusual but, in 2007, it was something extraordinary. An interesting feature was the dual inside opening handle, one for the front seat occupants and the other for the rear passengers who could reach and open the door.
Under the hood was the original 6.75-liter, twin-turbo engine. While the Bentley Continental Turbo had a big, single turbocharger, the Azure had two for a better response and smaller lag. Another improvement over the older Bentley was the 6-speed automatic gearbox that replaced the older 4-speed.
ENGINE SPECS - 6.75L V8 6AT RWD (457 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 6761 cm3 |
Power: | 336 KW @ 4100 RPM 456 HP @ 4100 RPM 451 BHP @ 4100 RPM |
Torque: | 645 lb-ft @ 1800 RPM 875 Nm @ 1800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 168 mph (270 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/45 ZR19 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 212.6 in (5400 mm) |
Width: | 74.8 in (1900 mm) |
Height: | 58.7 in (1491 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 63.1/63.1 in (1,603/1,603 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 122.7 in (3117 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.9 cuFT (309 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.38 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 5941.4 lbs (2695 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6757.2 lbs (3065 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 8.2 mpg US (28.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 16.7 mpg US (14.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 12 mpg US (19.6 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 6.75L V8 6AT RWD (507 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 6750 cm3 |
Power: | 372.9 KW @ 4200 RPM 507 HP @ 4200 RPM 500 BHP @ 4200 RPM |
Torque: | 738 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 1000 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 179 mph (288 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 5.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 255/45 ZR19 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 212.6 in (5400 mm) |
Width: | 74.8 in (1900 mm) |
Height: | 58.7 in (1491 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 63.1/63.1 in (1,603/1,603 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 122.7 in (3117 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.9 cuFT (309 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.38 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 5941.4 lbs (2695 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6757.2 lbs (3065 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 8.2 mpg US (28.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 16.7 mpg US (14.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 12 mpg US (19.6 L/100Km) |