Discover the Bentley Batur Convertible: The Ultimate W12-Engined Grand Tourer
Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke division and the world’s oldest coachbuilder, has initiated the final round of testing for its exclusive Batur Convertible, the most potent W12-engined vehicle ever made by Bentley. This exceptional convertible is part of Mulliner’s Coachbuilt portfolio, which includes the Bacalar barchetta and the Batur coupe. It is limited to 16 units, making it the most formidable W12-powered convertible in Bentley’s history.
Earlier this year, Bentley announced the discontinuation of the W12 engine, with the last unit rolling off the production line in July. The Batur Convertible, benefiting from the ultimate iteration of this engine, will deliver a staggering 750 PS, making it one of the last cars to feature the legendary powertrain.
The validation process encompasses more than 120 tests covering aspects from the gold “or finish quality of the gan stop” ventilation control to the hardware and software of the W12 engine, ensuring the car’s durability, environmental compatibility, high-speed stability, aerodynamics, and driving dynamics. The Batur Convertibles undergo extensive validation over 58 weeks across two pre-series vehicles: the Batur Convertible Car Zero and the Batur Convertible Engineering Car.
The real-world testing campaign began with a rigorous 3,000-kilometre drive across five European countries, including Germany, Italy, France, and Spain, and a photography stop in Monaco. This journey tested the vehicles under various real-life conditions before proceeding to Idiada in Spain for high-speed trials on private test tracks.
Mulliner’s Chief Technical Officer Paul Williams explains, “The engineering validation public road drive critically evaluates the vehicle’s performance, safety, and reliability across diverse environments and conditions. This phase is essential for identifying potential issues, validating system integration, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and customer expectations. From the outset, it was clear that this car was to be the ultimate open-air Grand Tourer, combining unparalleled engine power with meticulously hand-crafted details.”
At the proving grounds, the Batur Convertibles will undergo rigorous tests on various track conditions for seven weeks to ensure their durability and performance meet Bentley's high standards.
The Batur Convertible continues the innovative design DNA of its coupe counterpart and sets the direction for future Bentley designs. With its powerful 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine, the convertible offers unmatched performance. The roof system transforms the vehicle from a coupe to an open-top Grand Tourer in just 19 seconds, even at speeds up to 30 mph.
Mulliner’s design team collaborates closely with each client, using a unique visualiser tool to customise every aspect of the Batur Convertible, from colour to material finishes. Like all vehicles in the Mulliner Coachbuilt series, the Batur Convertible offers infinite customisation options, allowing clients to personalise every detail.
The first engineering development car, Batur Convertible Car Zero, showcases bespoke elements like Vermillion Gloss over Vermillion Satin Duo tone paintwork and a vibrant grille design, demonstrating the meticulous attention to detail characterising Mulliner’s craftsmanship. The second development car, the ‘Engineering Car,’ features a unique Midnight Emerald paint finish, complemented by a tri-tone wheel design and luxurious interior appointments, underscoring Mulliner’s commitment to individuality and excellence in design.
