2000 BENTLEY AZURE | SCBZK22E8YCX62107
2000 BENTLEY AZURE | SCBZK22E8YCX62107
Specifications
2
~$370,000
Engine: 6.75L twin-turbocharged V8
Torque: 875 Nm
0–100 km/h: : ~5.6 s
Despite its immense size and weight, the Bentley Azure delivered a level of performance that was both surprising and deeply satisfying. The hand-built 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V8, developed over decades and refined to near perfection, produced up to 450 horsepower and a colossal 875 Nm of torque in the final generation. This allowed the Azure to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 6 seconds—a remarkable figure for a four-seater convertible weighing nearly 2.7 tons. The effortless surge of torque, available from low RPMs, gave it a majestic and seamless power delivery, emblematic of true British grand touring.
Cornering in the Azure was never about razor-sharp agility, but its advanced suspension—especially in the second generation—provided remarkable composure for such a large open-top vehicle. The stiffer platform derived from the Arnage, along with adaptive dampers and reinforced chassis bracing, allowed for a surprisingly confident handling experience, particularly on highways and sweeping curves. Steering was weighted to emphasize smoothness over precision, reinforcing the Azure’s identity as a rolling sanctuary with commanding road presence.
Ultimately, the Azure was not engineered for track days—it was crafted for crossing continents at speed and in silence. It rivaled no sports car directly but instead created its own category: the luxury land-yacht convertible with genuine power and presence. Few cars have matched its blend of aristocratic elegance, raw torque, and open-air opulence, making it a unique sporting icon for those who define performance as serene power on demand.
Body Styles
The Bentley Azure was offered exclusively as a full-size, two-door convertible with a traditional folding soft-top. Its elongated body featured grand proportions with a long hood, upright grille, and wide rear haunches. The front end was dominated by a classic mesh grille and dual round headlights, flanked by massive chrome bumpers. Its side profile showcased a low beltline, minimal overhangs, and a flat shoulder line that emphasized length and presence. The convertible roof folded behind the rear seats under a fully lined tonneau cover, maintaining the car’s elegant silhouette whether up or down. At over 5.3 meters long, the Azure commanded attention wherever it appeared, with an unmistakable silhouette that was both graceful and imposing.
Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)
The name “Azure” was chosen by Bentley to evoke the imagery of open skies, coastal drives, and refined leisure. As a convertible, the Azure embodied the idea of top-down motoring in the grandest sense—luxurious, unhurried, and scenic. The name aligns with Bentley’s tradition of poetic, evocative naming, aiming to express the essence of relaxed yet powerful long-distance touring.
Model Name Meaning (Languages)
“Azure” is derived from the French word azur, referring to the clear blue color of the sky. In English, it evokes serenity, nobility, and natural beauty. The word’s phonetics lend it a sense of elegance and softness, which mirrors the car’s flowing lines and relaxed driving character. Across multiple languages, "azure" maintains similar associations, making it an internationally resonant and luxurious model name.
Body & Interior Colors and Rims
The Bentley Azure was offered in a lavish spectrum of exterior colors, ranging from classic British tones like Royal Ebony, Verdant Green, and Windsor Blue to modern metallics like Midnight Emerald and Granite Silver. Bespoke paint through Bentley’s Mulliner personalization program enabled owners to select virtually any hue, including pastel tones or custom two-tone combinations. The soft-top fabric came in several shades, including black, dark blue, beige, and burgundy, with hand-stitched linings for added insulation and elegance.
The interior was an expression of handcrafted luxury. Connolly and later Bridge of Weir hides wrapped every visible surface, available in understated colors like Magnolia, Saffron, and Beluga, or more dramatic combinations such as Fireglow and Imperial Blue. Diamond-quilted seats, contrast piping, embroidered logos, and burr walnut veneers were all available, with optional carbon fiber or turned aluminum in later years. Mulliner commissions introduced unique embroidery, personalized treadplates, and even color-matched umbrellas or clocks. Deep-pile lambswool rugs and polished metal switchgear underlined the bespoke experience.
Wheels evolved across generations—from elegant 17-inch chrome alloys on early models to 19- and 20-inch multi-spoke designs on later Mulliner editions. Finishes included polished aluminum, smoked silver, and diamond-turned effects. The wide wheels filled the arches perfectly, providing both stature and grace, while contributing to ride quality rather than aggressive stance.
Top Expensive Options
- Mulliner Bespoke Personalization Package: $25,000+
- Two-Tone Exterior Paint with Hand Pinstriping: $12,000
- Diamond-Quilted Leather with Contrast Piping: $6,800
- Burr Walnut Veneer Package with Crossbanding: $5,600
- 20" Chrome-Plated Multi-Spoke Wheels: $5,200
- Naim Premium Audio System (Custom Install): $4,800
- Color-Matched Convertible Hood and Headliner: $4,400
- Personalized Breitling Dashboard Clock: $3,700
- Refrigerated Rear Center Console Compartment: $3,200
- Custom Embroidered Bentley Umbrellas in Boot: $1,900
vs Competitors
The Bentley Azure operated in a rarefied space with almost no direct rivals. Compared to the Rolls-Royce Corniche V, it was more performance-oriented and engaging to drive, offering superior acceleration and chassis balance. Against the Mercedes CL or even SL-Class, the Azure offered unmatched hand-built quality and bespoke detailing, though it trailed in modern tech. Compared to the Aston Martin DB9 Volante or Maserati GranCabrio, the Azure was far more luxurious and refined, sacrificing agility for presence and comfort. Its real competition came from within—Bentley’s own Arnage-based coupes and later the Continental GTC—but none offered the same level of sheer size, opulence, and convertible drama. In essence, the Azure was a Rolls-Royce in Bentley clothing, aimed at aristocrats who preferred to drive themselves.
Fun Fact
The first-generation Azure was based on the Bentley Continental R platform and its convertible transformation was engineered by Pininfarina in Italy—an unusual move for a traditionally British brand. The second-generation Azure, launched in 2006, used the Arnage platform and included the most powerful version of Bentley’s legendary 6.75L V8 at the time. Despite its weight, it could still outpace many sports sedans and was rumored to be a favorite among heads of state, royalty, and even rock stars—one of whom famously commissioned an all-gold-trimmed Azure for personal use.
Lot Details
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Sale Date08/May/2024
-
Lot Number39345330
-
Sale document
-
Location
-
Odometer13,885 miles
-
Primary Damage:FRONT END
-
Fuel
-
Engine Type6.8L V8 FI F
-
Transmission
-
Drive Type
-
Color
Final Bid Bentley Azure (2000)
$31,800
$31,800
$31,800
Specifications
2
~$370,000
Torque:
0–100 km/h:
Despite its immense size and weight, the Bentley Azure delivered a level of performance that was both surprising and deeply satisfying. The hand-built 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V8, developed over decades and refined to near perfection, produced up to 450 horsepower and a colossal 875 Nm of torque in the final generation. This allowed the Azure to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 6 seconds—a remarkable figure for a four-seater convertible weighing nearly 2.7 tons. The effortless surge of torque, available from low RPMs, gave it a majestic and seamless power delivery, emblematic of true British grand touring.
Cornering in the Azure was never about razor-sharp agility, but its advanced suspension—especially in the second generation—provided remarkable composure for such a large open-top vehicle. The stiffer platform derived from the Arnage, along with adaptive dampers and reinforced chassis bracing, allowed for a surprisingly confident handling experience, particularly on highways and sweeping curves. Steering was weighted to emphasize smoothness over precision, reinforcing the Azure’s identity as a rolling sanctuary with commanding road presence.
Ultimately, the Azure was not engineered for track days—it was crafted for crossing continents at speed and in silence. It rivaled no sports car directly but instead created its own category: the luxury land-yacht convertible with genuine power and presence. Few cars have matched its blend of aristocratic elegance, raw torque, and open-air opulence, making it a unique sporting icon for those who define performance as serene power on demand.
Body Styles
The Bentley Azure was offered exclusively as a full-size, two-door convertible with a traditional folding soft-top. Its elongated body featured grand proportions with a long hood, upright grille, and wide rear haunches. The front end was dominated by a classic mesh grille and dual round headlights, flanked by massive chrome bumpers. Its side profile showcased a low beltline, minimal overhangs, and a flat shoulder line that emphasized length and presence. The convertible roof folded behind the rear seats under a fully lined tonneau cover, maintaining the car’s elegant silhouette whether up or down. At over 5.3 meters long, the Azure commanded attention wherever it appeared, with an unmistakable silhouette that was both graceful and imposing.
Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)
The name “Azure” was chosen by Bentley to evoke the imagery of open skies, coastal drives, and refined leisure. As a convertible, the Azure embodied the idea of top-down motoring in the grandest sense—luxurious, unhurried, and scenic. The name aligns with Bentley’s tradition of poetic, evocative naming, aiming to express the essence of relaxed yet powerful long-distance touring.
Model Name Meaning (Languages)
“Azure” is derived from the French word azur, referring to the clear blue color of the sky. In English, it evokes serenity, nobility, and natural beauty. The word’s phonetics lend it a sense of elegance and softness, which mirrors the car’s flowing lines and relaxed driving character. Across multiple languages, "azure" maintains similar associations, making it an internationally resonant and luxurious model name.
Body & Interior Colors and Rims
The Bentley Azure was offered in a lavish spectrum of exterior colors, ranging from classic British tones like Royal Ebony, Verdant Green, and Windsor Blue to modern metallics like Midnight Emerald and Granite Silver. Bespoke paint through Bentley’s Mulliner personalization program enabled owners to select virtually any hue, including pastel tones or custom two-tone combinations. The soft-top fabric came in several shades, including black, dark blue, beige, and burgundy, with hand-stitched linings for added insulation and elegance.
The interior was an expression of handcrafted luxury. Connolly and later Bridge of Weir hides wrapped every visible surface, available in understated colors like Magnolia, Saffron, and Beluga, or more dramatic combinations such as Fireglow and Imperial Blue. Diamond-quilted seats, contrast piping, embroidered logos, and burr walnut veneers were all available, with optional carbon fiber or turned aluminum in later years. Mulliner commissions introduced unique embroidery, personalized treadplates, and even color-matched umbrellas or clocks. Deep-pile lambswool rugs and polished metal switchgear underlined the bespoke experience.
Wheels evolved across generations—from elegant 17-inch chrome alloys on early models to 19- and 20-inch multi-spoke designs on later Mulliner editions. Finishes included polished aluminum, smoked silver, and diamond-turned effects. The wide wheels filled the arches perfectly, providing both stature and grace, while contributing to ride quality rather than aggressive stance.
Top Expensive Options
- Mulliner Bespoke Personalization Package: $25,000+
- Two-Tone Exterior Paint with Hand Pinstriping: $12,000
- Diamond-Quilted Leather with Contrast Piping: $6,800
- Burr Walnut Veneer Package with Crossbanding: $5,600
- 20" Chrome-Plated Multi-Spoke Wheels: $5,200
- Naim Premium Audio System (Custom Install): $4,800
- Color-Matched Convertible Hood and Headliner: $4,400
- Personalized Breitling Dashboard Clock: $3,700
- Refrigerated Rear Center Console Compartment: $3,200
- Custom Embroidered Bentley Umbrellas in Boot: $1,900
vs Competitors
The Bentley Azure operated in a rarefied space with almost no direct rivals. Compared to the Rolls-Royce Corniche V, it was more performance-oriented and engaging to drive, offering superior acceleration and chassis balance. Against the Mercedes CL or even SL-Class, the Azure offered unmatched hand-built quality and bespoke detailing, though it trailed in modern tech. Compared to the Aston Martin DB9 Volante or Maserati GranCabrio, the Azure was far more luxurious and refined, sacrificing agility for presence and comfort. Its real competition came from within—Bentley’s own Arnage-based coupes and later the Continental GTC—but none offered the same level of sheer size, opulence, and convertible drama. In essence, the Azure was a Rolls-Royce in Bentley clothing, aimed at aristocrats who preferred to drive themselves.
Fun Fact
The first-generation Azure was based on the Bentley Continental R platform and its convertible transformation was engineered by Pininfarina in Italy—an unusual move for a traditionally British brand. The second-generation Azure, launched in 2006, used the Arnage platform and included the most powerful version of Bentley’s legendary 6.75L V8 at the time. Despite its weight, it could still outpace many sports sedans and was rumored to be a favorite among heads of state, royalty, and even rock stars—one of whom famously commissioned an all-gold-trimmed Azure for personal use.