Performance Review: Bentley Azure Continental Coupe Le Mans Series - [2005]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Azure Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Azure Continental Coupe Le Mans Series is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2005. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 and the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16.This particular Bentley Azure has a 6761cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Azure shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Azure's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2695 kgs (5941 lbs) this makes the Bentley Azure Continental Coupe Le Mans Series in the same weight category as the 2017 Mercedes G Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley Azure shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 6761cc 16V V8 engine produces 450 bhp (335 kW) @ 4100 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 645 lb-ft (874.5 Nm) @ 3250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (664 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (650 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Bentley Azure you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDi Quattro (191.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Azure.

The Bentley Azure has a Power to weight ratio of 166.9 bhp per ton and 239.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2005 Azure competing with the 2008 Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDi Quattro (191.9 bhp per ton) or the 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 (191.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Bentley Azure generating around 239.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 (264.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series (264.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.1 secs, this made the Bentley Azure Continental Coupe Le Mans Series as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs). This Bentley Azure Continental Coupe Le Mans Series is also faster than the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Azure and the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Azure on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.91 secs @ 91.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 (14.85 secs), the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT (14.86 secs), and the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 (14.86 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2005 version of the Bentley Azure Continental Coupe Le Mans Series has a maximum speed of 174mph.

Top Speed of the 2005 Azure equals the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2005 Bentley Azure Continental Coupe Le Mans Series then how about the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph), the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo (185 mph), or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 S PDK 991 (185 mph).

Related Links:

2005 Azure Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison