2008 Bentley Azure
The 2008 Bentley Azure is a convertible. It has a 6.8-litre turbocharged eight-cylinder engine producing 450 hp (336 kW), with a 6-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. 0–60 mph takes 5.2 seconds and top speed is 168 mph (270 km/h).
ABOUT THE 2008 BENTLEY AZURE
The 2008 Bentley Azure is a large four-seat convertible with a power-operated fabric roof, built by hand in Crewe, England. Revived in 2006 and based on the Arnage saloon, it uses Bentley’s long-serving 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8, rated at 450 hp and a massive 645 lb-ft (875 Nm), driving the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic.
Old-school Bentley
Unlike the Volkswagen-era Continental range, the Azure belongs to the traditional line of Crewe-built Bentleys. Its V8 traces its roots to the engine first used in the late 1950s, extensively modernised with twin turbochargers. The 2008 car sits in the middle of this Azure’s run, which ended in 2010; a more powerful Azure T joined it for 2009. The six-speed gearbox was a notable improvement over the four-speed used in earlier Arnage-based cars.
What it is like
The Azure is about effortless, unhurried cruising rather than sporting driving. The torque arrives at low revs, so the car pulls strongly with very little effort, and Bentley quoted a top speed of 168 mph. Unusually for a convertible, it seats four adults properly, and the cabin is finished with traditional wood veneers and leather. It is also very heavy, and fuel consumption is correspondingly high, well over 20 L/100km in town.
Buying one today
Low production volumes mean parts can be slow to source and expensive. Owners should check the operation of the hood mechanism and its hydraulics, look for water leaks and electrical faults, and budget for specialist servicing of the V8.
Rivals
Its most direct rival was the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.
Written by CarDetails.org. Last reviewed October 31, 2026.
SPECS
| Make | Bentley | Model | Azure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2008 | Version / Trim | Bentley 2008 Azure |
| Body Style | Convertible | Doors | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | Ext. Colour | Silver Tempest, Beluga, Onyx, Moonbeam, St James Red, Moroccan Blue, Spruce, Cypress Green, Burgundy, Dark Sapphire, individual colours available |
| Steering | LHD / RHD | Manufactured In | United Kingdom |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) | Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Engine | 6.7L 8-cyl Turbo | Engine Size | 6,752 cc |
| Power | 450 hp / 336 kW | Torque | 875 Nm / 645 lb-ft |
| 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) | 5.2 sec | Top Speed | 168 mph (270 km/h) |
| Fuel Economy | 9 mpg city / 15 mpg hwy | ||
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | Kerb Weight | 2,530 kg (5,578 lb) |
HOW IT COMPARES WITH OTHER 2008 CONVERTIBLES
Compared with other 2008 convertibles in our database, its 450 hp is 42% more than the average 2008 convertible (317 hp), and it reaches 60 mph 0.9 seconds quicker than average, and it is 59% heavier than the typical convertible.
| 2008 Bentley Azure | Average 2008 convertibles | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 450 hp | 317 hp (18 cars) | +42% |
| Torque | 875 Nm | 396 Nm (18 cars) | +121% |
| 0–60 mph | 5.2 s | 6.1 s (16 cars) | -15% |
| Top speed | 168 mph | 144 mph (16 cars) | +17% |
| Kerb weight | 2,530 kg | 1,596 kg (19 cars) | +59% |
| Engine size | 6,752 cc | 3,634 cc (19 cars) | +86% |
Averages are calculated from all cars of the same model year and body type in the CarDetails.org database that have the figure listed. For 0–60 mph, a negative difference means quicker.
CLOSEST RIVALS
Other 2008 convertibles with similar power to the 2008 Bentley Azure.
| Car | Power | 0–60 mph | Kerb weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Bentley Azure | 450 hp | 5.2 s | 2,530 kg |
| 2008 BMW M3 Convertible | 414 hp | 4.8 s | 1,570 kg |
| 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder | 512 hp | 3.7 s | 1,430 kg |
| 2008 Jaguar XK Convertible | 385 hp | — | 1,630 kg |
| 2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet | 340 hp | — | 1,750 kg |