Bentley unveils the Batur Convertible, a limited-edition farewell to the iconic W12 engine, blending bespoke luxury with unmatched performance and craftsmanship.
During an exclusive event held in the luxurious Bab Al Shams, Dubai, the British automaker unveiled its third coachbuilt vehicle of the modern period, marking a significant milestone for 1. This was not simply another luxury launch; rather, it was a historic farewell to the legendary W12 engine, which has defined an era for the legendary automaker.
Limited to a mere 16 individually numbered vehicles, the Batur Convertible is more than a car,it is a celebration of craftsmanship, power, and exclusivity. With the discontinuation of the W12 powertrain on the horizon, Bentley has given this engine a final, thunderous curtain call in a car designed to be as emotionally resonant as it is technically impressive.
According to Bentley, each of the 16 cars will be hand-built, representing a culmination of the brand’s design, engineering, and artisan expertise. “We wanted the Batur Convertible to be more than a farewell,it’s a tribute,” a Bentley spokesperson remarked during the unveiling. “A tribute to the W12, to open-air grand touring, and to the limitless possibilities of bespoke design.”
Design Language That Embodies Art and Innovation
The Batur Convertible serves as a living canvas for Bentley’s Mulliner division, showcasing not only high-performance design elements but also artistic flourishes that redefine the limits of automotive craftsmanship. The exterior of the engineering prototype on display in Dubai was a stunning exhibition of contrast, colour transitions, and material innovation.
Clad in Midnight Emerald paintwork, the bodywork is accented with High Gloss Carbon Fibre, reflecting light in mesmerising patterns. The grille,a commanding presence at the front,features a Satin Dark Titanium finish, while its matrix fades from Gloss Mandarin to Gloss Beluga, offering an ombré effect rarely seen in car design.
The Batur Racing Stripe, which is finished in Gloss Porpoise and surrounded by Gloss Mandarin accents, is the focal point of this visual story. These particulars are more than just decorative. They create a physical and visual link between the outside and the cabin because their hide matches that of the internal leather.
Inside, the Batur Convertible offers a cockpit as tailored and intricate as a Savile Row suit. Upholstered in Cumbrian Green and Porpoise leather, it is further highlighted by Mandarin stitching and piping. Organ Stops and Bullseye air vents in machined titanium add a mechanical elegance, while the signature Mulliner “guitar fade” veneer,a gradient transition from gloss Beluga to high-gloss carbon fibre,unites the dashboard in a singular, sweeping motion.
This unique finish is laser-etched with the audio signature of the W12 engine, transforming engineering into artistry.
The Spirit of Grand Touring, Reimagined
Bentley’s history is deeply intertwined with the tradition of open-cockpit motoring. From its first motorcar in 1919 to the 1920s race-winning roadsters, and more recently with the Bacalar, the marque has always celebrated the visceral thrill of driving with the sky overhead.
The Batur Convertible builds upon this legacy. Based on the same architectural platform as the Bacalar and Batur coupé, this latest creation introduces the versatility of a soft-top, merging aggressive grand touring posture with a design language that embraces openness and freedom.
Its cockpit has been crafted with a ‘wraparound’ theme, inspired by the Bacalar’s interior design. This motif not only accentuates the car’s two-seat configuration but also creates an enveloping sense of luxury and focus, allowing driver and passenger alike to feel completely immersed in the journey.
Mulliner’s designers have elevated the Batur Convertible’s form to more than just visual aesthetics,it is an immersive experience of motion, colour, and craftsmanship. Each car is the result of close collaboration between Bentley’s artisans and its customers, ensuring that every design decision contributes to a cohesive and personal grand touring masterpiece.
Bespoke Commissions Without Limits
The Batur Convertible’s uniqueness lies not only in its performance or rarity, but also in how customisable it is. Customers are invited into a unique commissioning experience that is both creative and technical through Bentley’s Mulliner Bespoke Studio.
This is not simply a matter of choosing colours and trims from a predefined catalogue. Instead, clients work hand-in-hand with Mulliner designers, using proprietary commissioning software that allows for “off-menu” selections. The result is an ultra-personalised vehicle, limited only by imagination.
Paint options range from the full Mulliner colour palette to fully bespoke tones, including hand-painted detailing. The exterior brightware can be configured in any combination of light and dark finishes, satin or gloss, and even lightweight titanium. The grille can be customised with a graduated contrast colour for an ombré effect that mirrors the design motifs seen throughout the car.
Inside, the personalisation continues with near-infinite combinations of materials and finishes. One of the most exclusive options available is the use of 3D-printed rose gold, which graces the Bentley Drive Mode Selector, the Start/Stop button, and even the Organ Stop vent controls. These elements are not mass-produced but individually crafted by goldsmiths from Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter,home to generations of traditional craftsmen.
This blending of new-age technology and time-honoured craftsmanship underscores Bentley’s position as both innovator and custodian of luxury motoring. “Each Batur Convertible is a dialogue between the client and Bentley,” said a Mulliner representative. “It’s not just a car,it’s a story, uniquely written by its owner.”
Engineering Excellence Meets Farewell Power
Powering this tribute to bespoke luxury is Bentley’s final evolution of its legendary W12 engine. A 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged masterpiece, it delivers an awe-inspiring 750 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque,figures that place it firmly at the pinnacle of grand tourer performance.
This engine, hand-assembled by a dedicated team in Crewe, represents the zenith of two decades of refinement. Over the years, Bentley’s engineers have managed to extract nearly 40% more power from the W12, while also improving fuel economy by 25%. It’s an extraordinary legacy for an engine that has powered everything from stately limousines to high-performance GTs.
The Batur Convertible shares this powertrain with its coupé sibling, but features several enhancements including a revised intake system, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers, and extensive recalibration. The result is not just brute force, but a refined, responsive, and emotionally engaging driving experience.
With production of the W12 engine concluding in summer 2025, the Batur Convertible will be among the last vehicles ever to feature this automotive icon. In a world rapidly transitioning toward electrification, this car serves as a poignant reminder of the visceral appeal of internal combustion at its finest.
Handcrafted in Crewe, Defined by Passion
Each Batur Convertible will be meticulously hand-built over the course of several months at Bentley’s carbon-neutral factory in Crewe. Mulliner’s team of specialists,painters, trimmers, engineers, and artisans,work in harmony to deliver a car that is every bit as much a piece of art as it is a performance machine.
This level of craftsmanship ensures that no two Batur Convertibles will ever be alike. From the precise stitching of the leather to the finish on the rose gold controls, each detail is a testament to the passion and skill of those who built it. As Bentley transitions toward a fully electric future, the Batur Convertible stands as a final exclamation mark on an era defined by power, elegance, and individuality.
The Batur Convertible is more than just a farewell to the W12; it is a representation of Bentley’s values: performance without constraints, luxury without boundaries, and design without equals.
