Driving the Future of Bentley Motors: The Rarified Batur Convertible

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Bentley Motors introduces the third coachbuilt Bentley of the modern era: the streamlined Batur Convertible. The bespoke grand touring two-seater was created by Mulliner, Bentley’s in house bespoke division and the longest standing coachbuilder in the world. Following the exquisitely hand-crafted Bacalar barchetta and Batur coupe, the Batur convertible is limited to just 18 vehicles, each one offering innovative colors and materials never before seen on a production Bentley.

The Batur Convertible advances the innovative design DNA introduced by the sold-out Batur coupe — changes that will guide the future design of Bentley cars. The Batur Convertible retains the most powerful version of Bentley’s iconic W12, with a 750 PS, hand-assembled 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine that has powered Bentley’s success for the last two decades. The Batur Convertible will be one of the last ever Bentleys to use this powertrain.

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Bespoke two-seat grand tourer

Bentley has a rich history of open-cockpit cars, from the very first Bentley of 1919, through the company’s foundation years in the 1920s, to the recent Bacalar. The architecture of the Batur Convertible allowed Mulliner’s designers to blend the design of the Bacalar and Batur while enhancing it as a convertible. 

The designers also chose to highlight the two-seater character with a “wraparound’ cockpit. The dramatic “airbridge’ behind the seats and tapered cowls at the rear hark back to the barchetta sports cars of old, while underlining the promise of a dynamic, driver-focused adventure in a cocooned environment. The airbridge and tapered cowls also provide a semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the two front seats. The convertible roof is a modern alternative to a hardtop. Made from a combination of insulation material, sealing system refinements and acoustic treatments, it can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, with the car traveling up to 30 mph.

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Unique commissions

Buyers can specify the color and finish of practically every surface of the Batur Convertible. Paint choice is infinite, starting with the full Mulliner color palette and extending into fully bespoke paint and hand-painted graphics. Exterior brightware can be any mix of light and dark, satin or gloss or even titanium. Another subtle option available is a graduated contrast color to the front grille, for an ombre effect. In the cabin, the exclusive option of 3D printed rose gold includes key driver touch points, such as the Bentley Drive Mode Selector, encircling the start/stop button and used to change chassis modes. Rose gold can also be applied to Bentley’s iconic Organ Stop vent controls in the dashboard, as well as a rose gold insert marker on the steering wheel itself. These unique parts will be made by expert goldsmiths from the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, England.

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Exceptional engine performance

This pinnacle grand tourer features Bentley’s W12 powertrain delivers 750 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque — thanks to a revised intake system, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers and recalibration. Developed over 20 years, the 6.0 litre, twin-turbocharged engine now produces nearly 40% more power while improving fuel economy by 25%. 

The W12 is paired with Bentley’s eight-speed double-clutch transmission, and a sports exhaust to provide a soundtrack in keeping with the level of performance. The entire exhaust system is in titanium, with finishers 3D-printed in titanium.

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The model shown is Bentley’s engineering development car – Batur Convertible Car #0 – which sports exterior paintwork in a bespoke color: vibrant Vermillion Gloss over Vermillion Satin Duo. The bodywork is underscored by front splitters, side skirts and rear diffuser in high gloss carbon fiber. 

Each of the 16 Batur Convertibles will be handcrafted over the course of several months in Mulliner’s workshop at Bentley’s carbon-neutral factory in Crewe, England.

Courtesy of Bentley Motors