Bentley has unveiled the Batur Convertible, a gem from Mulliner—the marque’s in-house bespoke division, and the oldest active coachbuilder globally. This revelation marks the third modern-era coachbuilt marvel from Bentley, succeeding the elegantly handcrafted Bacalar barchetta and the Batur coupe. In the Batur Convertible, Mulliner perpetuates its celebrated heritage of constructing distinctly personalized vehicles, meticulously tailored to the desires of its discerning clientele.
The Batur Convertible introduces and advances the pioneering design ethos first seen in its coupe counterpart, setting the tone for the aesthetic direction of Bentley’s future models. It retains the mightiest iteration of Bentley’s legendary W12 engine—a 740 hp, hand-assembled 6.0-liter twin-turbo powerhouse that has been a cornerstone of Bentley’s triumph for over two decades. As the production of this iconic engine concludes this summer, the Batur Convertible emerges as one of the final masterpieces to harness this formidable powertrain.
Bentley’s storied legacy of open-cockpit automobiles—from the inaugural 1919 Bentley through the foundational 1920s to the recent Bacalar—is vividly celebrated in the Batur Convertible. Mulliner’s designers have embraced the vehicle’s architecture to amalgamate the design elements of both the Bacalar and the Batur while incorporating the versatility of a convertible. The design emphasizes the vehicle’s two-seater configuration through a ‘wraparound’ cockpit, reminiscent of the Bacalar’s aesthetic.
Dynamic elements such as the pronounced ‘airbridge’ behind the seats and sleek tapered cowls not only pay homage to the classic barchetta sports cars but also promise a spirited, driver-centric adventure within a luxurious, encapsulated setting. These features not only enhance the vehicle’s silhouette but also cleverly integrate a semi-enclosed luggage area behind the front seats.
The convertible roof itself is a masterpiece, combining functional elegance with modern innovation. It ensures a serene cabin environment, thanks to advanced insulation, refined sealing mechanisms, and acoustic optimization. This roof transitions from enclosed grand tourer to an open-top thrill in mere 19 seconds, even at speeds up to 30 mph.
Mulliner’s bespoke service offers an unparalleled co-creation experience. Each Batur Convertible is crafted in collaboration with its future owner, utilizing a specialized Mulliner visualizer. This tool facilitates a deeply personal customization process, enabling choices in color and material finishes that ensure each vehicle is a unique reflection of its owner’s taste and style.
Options range from an extensive Mulliner color palette to bespoke paint finishes and even hand-applied graphics. The external brightware can be tailored in various tones and textures, and a striking graduated color effect can be applied to the front grille for a captivating visual impact.
Internally, the Batur Convertible invites further personalization. Unique selections like the airbridge, tonneau cover, and roof materials can be specified to complement both the cabin and exterior aesthetics. Luxurious touches in the cabin include 3D-printed rose gold elements, which highlight key driver interfaces like the Bentley Drive Mode Selector. This intricate detailing is produced in collaboration with master goldsmiths from Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, marrying advanced manufacturing with traditional craftsmanship.
Each Batur Convertible is handcrafted over several months in the Mulliner workshops at Bentley’s facility in Crewe, England. With production limited to just 16 units, each vehicle stands among the last to be powered by the storied W12 engine, now enhanced to deliver 740 hp and 738 lb-ft. of torque. This engine refinement celebrates over two decades of performance evolution, significantly boosting power while improving fuel efficiency by 25%. The W12 engine is mated to an eight-speed double-clutch transmission and a titanium sports exhaust system.