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Bentley Batur Convertible: Ultimate customizable droptop

Bentley is winding down the use of its iconic W12 engine with the ultra-exclusive and ultra-customizable Batur Convertible, which furthers the innovative design DNA introduced by its coupe sibling. Sporting a 740-hp hand-assembled 6.0-L twin-turbocharged engine, loads of driving tech, and a price tag north of 2 million smackers, it's the ultimate luxury droptop for a very select few. The Batur Convertible cars will be among the last Bentley's to sport the W12 engine.

Strictly limited to 16 examples worldwide, the lucky owners are encouraged to co-create a truly unique two-door, two-seat Batur Convertible, engineered and built over the course of several months by the original master craftspeople of bespoke coachbuilding, Mulliner, in Crewe, England.

Updates from the coupe version first revealed in 2022 include a revised intake system, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers, and extensive recalibration that enables the 740 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque. Bentley says the development of its W12 engine over the last 20 years has seen the powerplant produce 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 car's ultra-high level of performance. The entire exhaust system is in titanium, while the finishers are 3D printed in titanium.

The front of the example car features a grille of exceptional art, with the main matrix finished in Gloss Dark Titanium, accented with contrast chevrons in a horizontal ombre pattern that flows from Beluga in the center and lightens to the vibrant sides in Vermillion Gloss.

Design cues include a line that stretches from the front hood along the whole length of the car, making the car long and lean and giving an elongated proportion to the front end. Bentley calls this feature the "endless bonnet." Most of the mass looks pushed to the rear, like a big cat in a low attack position. The "endless bonnet" line in the Batur Convertible prototype is finished in Gloss Dark Titanium paint, as are the 22-in. wheels, with the spokes in Gloss and Satin Black Titanium with Vermillion Gloss accents.

The recognizable Bentley grille is lower and more upright, and it is flanked by a new headlight shape and design with a single large headlight on either side. These are balanced with all-new tail lamps at the rear that sit on either side of a deployable spoiler.

The aerodynamic additions of front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser can be crafted in both carbon fiber or new, sustainable Natural Fiber composite. The exterior brightware can be any mix of light and dark, satin or gloss, or even titanium. As on the first example car, another option is graduated contrast color to the front grille for a vibrant ombre effect. Color-wise, owners can basically have anything they desire, including painted graphics.

Engine performance will be matched to the most advanced Bentley chassis ever, with Speed-tuned air suspension, electric active anti-roll control, eLSD (electronic limited slip differential), four-wheel steering, and torque vectoring.

Adaptive three-chamber air springs each have three switchable chambers, changing the volume of the air spring and its effective stiffness. The driver can select the balance between ride comfort and body control using the four-mode Drive Dynamics Control in the center console, choosing between Sport, Bentley, Comfort, and Custom.

The Drive Dynamics Control also changes the behavior of the 48-V electric active anti-roll control system, which can provide up to 1,300 Nm of anti-roll torque in 0.3 sec or completely decouple the wheels at either end of each axle. The anti-roll control system can also be used to adjust the roll stiffness front to rear, giving the Batur sharper turn-in and greater ability to balance the car on the throttle when in Sport mode.

Overall traction and cornering grip is maximized through the use of an eLSD system that actively vectors drive torque across the chassis. This is complemented by torque vectoring by brake, whereby the car can lightly brake the inside rear wheel on turn-in for greater front-axle response, and also lightly brake both inside wheels on corner exit to move power across to the outside, loaded wheels for better traction.

Braking is via Bentley's CSiC (Carbon-Silicon-Carbide) braking system, with 440-mm front and 410-mm rear discs, matched with 10-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.

The dramatic airbridge behind the seats and tapered cowls at the rear hark back to the barchetta sports cars of old, while setting the stage for a dynamic, driver-focused adventure in a cocooned environment. The airbridge and tapered cowls are not only aesthetic, but also provide a semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the two front seats.

The convertible roof delivers an aesthetic of beauty as a modern, tactile alternative to a hardtop roof. A combination of insulation material, sealing system refinements, and acoustic treatments creates a cossetting environment in a system that can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, with the car travelling at speeds up to 30 mph, transforming the car from a luxurious coupe into an open-top Grand Tourer at the touch of a button.

The interior space of the two-seater is luxe racer meets long-distance grand tourer. Every element of the cabin is tailorable to customer specs -- Italian leather, low-carbon leather, Dinamica, you name it. The range of veneers available for the fascias includes a new material for Bentley called Natural Fiber composite, which is a sustainable alternative to carbon fiber.

Clients can choose between bright or dark treatments to the interior brightware, and titanium options are also available. Certain controls, such as the organ stops for ventilation, are even available in 3D-printed 18K gold. The metallic elements of the interior of the example car are a blend of black anodized aluminum and satin titanium, completed with a hallmarked 18-k gold Bentley Dynamic Drive Selector and steering wheel center band.

Source: Bentley Motors

Published May 2024

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