BENTLEY

Mulliner Batur: the most powerful model in the company's history

Bentley Mulliner unveiled more than two years ago the exclusive Bentley Bacalar, whose manufacture is almost complete. Only 12 examples of this exceptionally rare car will come to light, named after the Lagoa Bacalar. The next step is the Bentley Mulliner Batur, which has just been unveiled in Monterey.

If Bacalar takes its name from a place on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, a lake famous for its natural beauty, Batur is no less representative. The model takes its name from Lake Batur in Kintamani, Bali, Indonesia. It thus follows the tradition started by its predecessor, which is named after another natural body of water.

Production is limited to 18 units and they are all sold for £1.65 million each. Each Batur will be designed in collaboration with its owner. Mulliner will manufacture the car by hand over the course of several months. First deliveries are expected to start in mid-2023.

In addition to being the most powerful model in the company's history, the Bentley Mulliner Batur stands out for presenting a modernized design that "ultimately will guide the style direction of the company's next electric vehicles". It is characterized by its traditional proportions of a gran turismo.

It has an elongated hood with a wide and pronounced roof drop. The LED headlights abandon the Bentley's characteristic round shape, the muscular rear shoulders are emphasized even more and the side windows adopt a new style that is very reminiscent of Rolls-Royce.

The oversized front grille is lower and more vertical for a strong, secure appearance. Features a unique V-shaped pattern with orange accents. Designers also moved the car's visual mass backwards to achieve a sportier, more muscular aesthetic.

At the rear there are four-piston calipers and 410 mm diameter discs. At the aerodynamic level we can also appreciate a front splitter, side skirts and a rear diffuser. According to the company, these elements can be manufactured in a composite of natural fiber or carbon.

Among the most outstanding aspects of the bodywork are the electrically actuated spoiler and the 22-inch wheels, which are unique to the model. Behind them hides a carbon-silicon-carbide (CSiC) braking system with ten-piston calipers and 440mm front discs.

No less impressive is the interior, with nearly limitless customization options made possible by the handcrafted nature of the vehicle. Customers can order natural fiber composite sheets, traditional wooden frames, all the branded comfort elements, plus 3D-printed 18-karat gold controls.

Under the hood is an improved version of the company's twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 engine. Engineers equipped the car with a new intake system, improved turbos, beefier intercoolers and numerous recalibrations. Nor is it missing a titanium exhaust system with 3D-printed tips.

Thanks to the improvements, the Bentley Mulliner Batur develops 740 hp and 1,000 Nm of maximum torque. This allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around 3.4 seconds and exceeds a top speed of 330 km/h. It is mated to an 8-speed dual clutch transmission.

The Batur is also equipped with four-wheel steering, torque vectoring and an electronic limited-slip differential. Other features include adaptive air suspension and an active electrical anti-roll control system.

Autonews