Bentley Azure
1995–2003 · Bentley Azure — Grand Tourer, V8 Turbo, designed by John Heffernan & Ken Greenley.
The Story
Take the Continental R, remove the roof, and hand the hard part to Pininfarina: that was the Azure. Introduced in 1995, it turned Bentley’s coupe into the most imposing open-top grand tourer of its era — and, at around £220,000 in 1996, the most expensive convertible in the world.
The engineering was the story. Pininfarina spent two years stiffening the shell and perfecting a fabric roof that folds completely out of sight behind the cabin, leaving the flanks unbroken by roll-over hoops. Bodies were prepared in Italy, then finished by hand at Crewe — an Anglo-Italian flagship of rare presence.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
John Heffernan & Ken Greenley
British partnership, both RCA-linked (Greenley headed its transport-design course). Won the Aston Virage commission (1988) and styled the Bentley Continental R and the Panther Solo. Source: Classic Driver / Wikipedia (IAD).
Studio Motors POV
The most imposing open-top of its age and a hand-built Anglo-Italian collaboration — a drop-top Continental R that once out-priced every convertible on earth, now quietly attainable.
The Engine
Rolls-Royce / Bentley L-Series 6¾ V8
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Azure
Worth Knowing About the Azure
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1. Pininfarina engineered the convertible — two years of work on the disappearing roof and on stiffening the structure so it needed no roll-over arches.
- 2. At ~£220,000 in 1996 it was the most expensive convertible in the world.
- 3. The fabric top vanishes completely behind the cabin when lowered — a deliberately costly piece of Italian engineering.
5 Fast Facts
- 1. Continental R-based convertible; single-turbo 6.75 V8.
- 2. ~1,311 built (1995–2003); some Pininfarina references quote ~1,403 bodies.
- 3. The world's most expensive convertible at launch.
- 4. Roof and shell engineered/prepared by Pininfarina, final assembly at Crewe.
- 5. No roll hoops — the reinforced structure didn't need them.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
No single celebrity owner cleanly verified; the Azure’s clientele was royal and ultra-wealthy (the Sultan of Brunei’s collection included Azures and bespoke variants). Specific named ownership not documented in sources.
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The complex Pininfarina roof and hydraulics are the big risk and cost — buy a low-owner car with full history and a faultless top. Condition of the soft-top mechanism trumps almost everything.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Bentley Azure
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 1995–2003
- Units built
- ~1,308 (gen 1)
- Variants
- Azure Mulliner; long-wheelbase examples
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V8 Turbo
- Engine family
- Rolls-Royce / Bentley L-Series 6¾ V8
- Displacement
- 6,750 cc (6.75 L)
- Power
- 385 hp
- Torque
- 553 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 6.5 s
- Top speed
- 150 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 157 hp/tonne · 14 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic (GM 4L80-E)
- Drivetrain
- RWD · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 5401 lb
Questions
Azure FAQ
What engine does the Bentley Azure have?
The 1995-2003 Bentley Azure is powered by a 6.75-litre turbocharged V8, paired with a 4-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive, top speed 150 mph. Early Mk1 examples were rated around 385 hp / 553 lb-ft; later Mulliner cars rose to approximately 420 hp.
Who built the Bentley Azure convertible body?
The Bentley Azure’s convertible roof and bodywork were engineered by Pininfarina of Turin, who spent two years on the folding-roof and chassis-stiffening work for the Continental R-derived platform. Bentley completed final assembly at its Crewe factory.
How much does a Bentley Azure sell for at auction?
At RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2024 auction, a 2002 Bentley Azure with 2,165 miles realized $95,200, illustrating the market range for clean first-generation examples.
How many first-generation Bentley Azures were built?
Approximately 1,308 first-generation Bentley Azures were built between 1995 and 2003, each assembled at Crewe using a Pininfarina-prepared convertible shell.
Can you lease a Bentley Azure?
Yes, specialty lenders structure collector-car leases regardless of model year.
The Bentley Lineup
Explore every Bentley
3 Litre ’216½ Litre / Speed Six ’264½ Litre ’27Blower 4½ Litre ’29
R-Type Continental ’52S1 Continental ’55S-Type Saloon (S1/S2/S3) ’55S2/S3 Continental ’59
Mulsanne (1980) ’80Turbo R ’85
Continental R ’91Azure ’95Arnage ’98
Continental GT (1st gen) ’03Continental Flying Spur ’05Azure (2nd gen) ’06Brooklands (Coupé) ’08
Mulsanne (2010) ’10Continental GT (2nd gen) ’11Flying Spur (2nd gen) ’13Bentayga ’15Continental GT (3rd gen) ’18Flying Spur (3rd gen) ’19
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