Stylish and powerful, the new Bentley Azure T is the world’s most elegant convertible and destined to become a future classic. With unique Bentley ‘T’ styling cues reinforcing its sporting stance, the 500bhp Azure T delivers driver-focused performance with the ability to transport four adults in first-class, open-top luxury.
The new Azure T, specified with the high performance version of Crewe’s iconic 6¾ litre V8 engine, is the latest in a line of Bentley models to bear the ‘T’ legend. The 1996 Continental coupe was the first modern Bentley ‘T’, followed in 2002 by the Arnage T, both flagship models with a distinctive sporting character and thunderous performance.
The Azure’s already striking form is now enhanced by 20-inch 5-spoke wheels and tyres, ‘Le Mans’ front wing vents, dark tint matrix grille and a sculpted, retractable Flying ‘B’ mascot.
For the performance-oriented Azure T, the twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 500bhp and 1000 Nm of torque – an 11 per cent increase in power and a 14 per cent increase in torque over its 450bhp/875 Nm Azure stable mate.
The famous Bentley wave of torque is even more prodigious than before and performance is significantly raised with a top speed of 179 mph (288 km/h) and a 0-60 mph time of just 5.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.5 sec). Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing, Stuart McCullough comments:
“The new Azure T reflects our passion for creating the world’s most exhilarating and prestigious convertibles that, true to the Bentley T tradition, blend sophistication with a powerful presence.”
The Azure’s double wishbone front and rear suspension is carried over to the Azure T unaltered. Set-up and fine-tuned to give a refined ride that best suits the character of this convertible Bentley, the system features coil springs with computer-controlled, adaptive electro-hydraulic dampers and automatic ride-height control with auto-load compensation.
The Azure T’s suspension delivers impressive body control in all driving conditions, while the new five-spoke, two-piece 8.5J x 20-inch Sports alloy wheels with 255/40 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tyres further improve handling and road holding.
As an option, Azure T owners may specify an upgraded braking system with carbon/silicon carbide, cross-drilled brake ventilated discs. Measuring 420 x 40 mm (front) and 356 x 28 mm (rear), these discs are the largest fitted to any production car on sale today. With eight-piston callipers, the brakes provide impressive deceleration and also give an 8 kg reduction in unsprung weight.
Compared with the Arnage, the Azure T benefits from significant stiffening members. These strengthened steel parts lie in the sill section of the car and extend into the A-pillars that form the windscreen frame. Beneath the front and rear of the Azure, carbon fibre cross-bracing members reinforce the whole bodyshell, while adding far less weight than steel.
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | Crewe, England |
| engine | V8 |
| aspiration | Twin Turbo |
| displacement | 6750 cc / 381.4 in³ |
| power | 372.9 kw / 500 bhp |
| specific output | 74.07 bhp per litre |
| torque | 1000 nm / 737.6 ft lbs |
| body / frame | Unit Steel |
| driven wheels | RWD w/ESP |
| wheel type | 5-spoke, 2-piece, Sport Alloy |
| front tires | 255/40 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero |
| rear tires | 255/40 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero |
| front brakes | Ventilated Carbon/Silicon Carbide Discs w/8-Piston Calipers |
| f brake size | 40 x 420 mm / 1.6 x 16.5 in |
| rear brakes | Ventilated Carbon/Silicon Carbide Discs w/8-Piston Calipers |
| r brake size | 28 x 356 mm / 1.1 x 14.0 in |
| front wheels | F 20 x 8.5 cm / 7.9 x 3.3 in |
| rear wheels | R 20 x 8.5 cm / 7.9 x 3.3 in |
| steering | Power Assisted, Speed Sensitive, Rack & Pinion |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Computer-Controlled Adaptive Electro-Hydraulic Dampers |
| r suspension | Double Wishbones w/Computer-Controlled Adaptive Electro-Hydraulic Dampers |
| transmission | Six-speed ZF Automatic |
| top speed | ~288.01 kph / 179 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~5.2 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~12.1 seconds |
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tMHPnqmcmaKoe6%2Bx02iZpaeXZH9xfJhmmZ6mpKGyunnAs6yrnV2pfA%3D%3D