Bentley steps up high-tech ‘additive manufacturing’ capability with industry-first application of 3D printed gold
Up to 210 grams of solid yellow gold available in W12-engined Batur – the most powerful Bentley in history
Breath-taking two-door coupe limited to just 18 exquisite examples
18ct parts include centrepiece Charisma Dial and Bentley’s iconic Organ Stop vent controls
Gold sourced from historic Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham – a centuries-old centre of craftsmanship
Process uses 100 per cent recycled jewellery ground to fine powder for 3D printing
Innovative advancement supports Bentley’s sustainable and forward-focused Beyond100 strategy.
Batur Grand Tourer heralds start of a design revolution at Bentley
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – Bentley Motors has introduced 3D printed solid gold in the exclusive Batur by Mulliner – the first time such a ground-breaking process is believed to have been used in the automotive industry. The ‘additive manufacturing’ (AM) technique will add up to 210 grams of 18ct yellow gold to the coachbuilt coupe, the fastest Bentley in the company’s 103-year history.
The W12-engined Batur is restricted to just 18 examples, all of which have already been sold to Mulliner clients at £1.65m each (excluding taxes and options). The optional, 3D printed gold includes key driver touch points, such as the Charisma Dial, encircling the start/stop button and used to change driver modes. The centrepiece of an exquisite cabin, the dial complements the design of the Batur front grille. Gold is also applied to Bentley’s iconic Organ Stop vent controls on the dashboard, as well as a gold insert marker on the steering wheel itself.
Bentley Mulliner has worked with renowned goldsmiths Cooksongold to craft the unique Batur parts. A member of the Heirmerle + Meule Group, Cooksongold is based in the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, England, where jewellery has been made for centuries. The special collaboration highlights Bentley’s ability to combine new, advanced manufacturing technologies with more traditional materials and finishing techniques.
All the sustainably sourced gold is 100 per cent recycled from old jewellery, ground into a fine powder needed for the 3D printing technique. Recycling ensures there is no environmental impact from mining for new precious metals. It also reflects Bentley’s commitment to a more sustainable future and is in line with the company’s Beyond100 strategy, to be end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030.
Every 3D gold part in the Batur is digitally designed using CAD models, before a printing process with laser melting printers. Each is then hand finished by skilled artisan jewellers, using traditional techniques to achieve the polish and quality that is synonymous with a Bentley.
All parts produced for the Batur are hallmarked in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter as a sign of having solid material authenticity. Additionally, any parts manufactured in 2022 also receive the Jubilee hallmark, celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year.
In February, Bentley committed a further £3 million investment to double AM capacity at the Crewe factory, converting 3D CAD models into physical parts. Future applications will facilitate more low volume manufacturing components and bespoke customer personalisation – including the pioneering use of 3D printed gold in a range of new generation models.
Bentley’s legendary 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine generates more than 740 PS in the Batur, with chassis technology that includes eLSD, four-wheel steering and 48V electric active anti-roll bars to match the performance. The coupe offers an endless array of options, including parts crafted in titanium, sustainable Natural Fibre composites and even low-carbon leather sourced from Scotland. The coupe’s new design DNA also shows the direction for future Bentley BEVs (battery electric vehicles).
Dr. Matthias Rabe, Member of the Board for Research and Development at Bentley Motors, said:
“Bentley’s approach to additive manufacturing is industry leading, evident through our pioneering use of a luxury metal in the design and development process of the Batur. One of the key benefits is that it is efficiency led, cutting down on the cost and complexity of a myriad of jobs but maintaining the value of a rare resource.
“As Bentley embraces an exciting future, we see huge potential in advanced, innovative technologies. Processes such as 3D printed gold will be a springboard that allows our customers an even greater ability to personalise, further enhancing the individualisation programme offered on every car.”
One-of-one Flying Spur Hybrid specified by ‘The Surgeon’ celebrates shared values of design and craft at the highest level
Unique specification co-created with Dominic Ciambrone – a.k.a. The Surgeon – the world’s leading creative custom shoemaker
Duotone Anthracite over Anthracite Satin accented by Satin Bronze brightware, pinstriping and wheel accents
Bespoke interior features unique stitching and embroidery, Satin Bronze accents and Bronze piping
Dual-finish wood veneers with laser-etched skull and crossed scalpel logos, with Gloss White pinstriping
3D diamond-patterned walnut panels in rear doors
Follows earlier partnership on bespoke limited edition Bentley sneakers
Purchasing customer to receive matching pair of ‘Bentley x The Surgeon adidas Forum Low’ sneakers
One of three Bentley artworks showcased at Temple House in Miami
Sager Strong Continental GT Speed Convertible, to be auctioned for charity in early 2023, and Britto Continental GT V8 Convertible complete exhibition
[source: Bentley]
Miami, Florida – A unique, bespoke and distinctive Flying Spur Hybrid, curated by ‘The Surgeon’, has been unveiled by Bentley at the brand’s pinnacle evening event during Art Basel Miami. The exquisite car follows the launch of a limited-edition line of Bentley-inspired sneakers, by the leading force of the customized shoe industry, Dominic Ciambrone – also known as The Surgeon.
With 20 international art fairs, more than 1,200 galleries and thousands of artists in attendance, Miami becomes a magnet for design lovers during the week of Art Basel. As such it’s the perfect showcase for the artisanal artwork of Mulliner, Bentley’s in-house personal commissioning division, to celebrate the power of individuality, with three unique vehicles that fuse artistic expression and unrivalled craftsmanship – crowned by the Flying Spur Hybrid by The Surgeon.
Inspiration for Flying Spur Hybrid x The Surgeon
The Surgeon is a leader in the customised shoe industry, famed for his effortless fusion of high fashion and street culture. A visit to Bentley’s Mulliner division in early 2022 inspired him to create a limited run of ten pairs of bespoke sneakers, featuring Bentley craft signatures such as diamond quilting and cross stitching as well as his signature ‘Surgeon’ skull and scalpel monogram.
The sneakers were the springboard for a second collaboration, based upon Bentley’s recently-acclaimed Flying Spur Hybrid. Its elegant lines and handcrafted interior made it an ideal canvas for The Surgeon’s creativity. With the combination of a 2.9 litre V6 combustion engine and powerful E-Motor, it exhibits the next step in Bentley’s Beyond100 journey towards a future of electrified luxury.
The car’s specification leaves nothing to be desired. The Mulliner Blackline specification replaces exterior polished chrome with all-black brightware, while the Styling Specification includes a front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser and boot lip spoiler in carbon fibre.
Gloss, Satin and Bronze Combined
The Flying Spur Hybrid x The Surgeon uses an impactful exterior palette in a dramatic yet harmonious combination parallel to his own brand aesthetic. Ciambrone chose a duo-tone paint finish of Anthracite (anthracite; metallic UNI; 6706 / 9560114; Bentley) over Anthracite Satin (anthracitesatin; metallic matte; 6779 / 9562007; Bentley) , creating an understated expression of power and assurance. The monochromatic palette is relieved by the sparing use of Satin Bronze, which appears on the lower front, side and rear bumper. A bespoke Satin Bronze pinstripe draws the eye the full length of the Bentley, while the 22” Satin Anthracite wheels feature a Satin Bronze pinstripe around the outer rim. The same finish is used for the Surgeon badges on the D pillars and the Hybrid badge on the fender. The finishing touch is provided by an illuminated Flying B radiator mascot in Gloss Black.
Design and Craft in Harmony
From the moment you enter the cabin of the Flying Spur Hybrid x The Surgeon, you’re drawn into a world of individuality and creativity. The motif on the outer sill panel reads ‘The Surgeon’ while the inner sill plate conveys his personal philosophy, ‘Never Stop.’ Another delightful detail, bespoke LED welcome lamps, project the skull and crossed scalpel logo onto the ground to guide your entry.
Inside, the upholstery features Linen as the main hide on the seats, doors and lower fascia while the secondary hide colour, Beluga, features on the fascia top, centre through-console and rear parcel shelf. Contrast stitching in Bronze features on the seats, seat piping and in a cross-stitch pattern on the steering wheel. The namestyle ‘Surgeon’ is embroidered in Bronze on the seats, above which the headrests carry a blind embroidered Surgeon logo.
Walnut veneer adorns the cabin, and Ciambrone has celebrated Mulliner’s craft skills by specifying contrasting finishes; the upper veneer is open pore Crown Cut Walnut, giving a tactile satin finish, while the lower veneer is in High Gloss Crown Cut Walnut and features a laser-etched repeat motif of the skull and crossed scalpel logo. A Gloss White pinstripe separates the two veneers, stretching across the fascia from door to door and passing across the upper vanes of the bullseye air vents. The rear doors also feature Walnut inserts in ‘three dimensional’ diamond patterning.
Grand Black gloss veneer clads the front and rear centre consoles, with the Surgeon logo overlaid in chrome on the rear cupholder. Uniting the design of exterior and interior, Bronze Satin features on the B+O speaker cones, while a bespoke shade of matching Bronze hide can be seen at the six o’clock tab on the steering wheel and as a covering for the gearlever.
The Bentley rotating display in the centre of the fascia offers a choice of three faces; analogue dials, digital display or walnut veneer. When displaying the latter, the namestyle ‘Surgeon’ is seen in gold overlay. Further tactile and visual interest is provided by Bentley’s unique knurled finish on controls and touchpoints.
Three automotive artworks
The reveal of this exceptional Flying Spur Hybrid caps an evening’s celebration of the art of bespoke automotive creation at Art Basel Miami. Shown alongside the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid x The Surgeon are two very different and vibrant commissions, both with unique intentions. The Sager Strong Continental GT Speed Convertible was inspired by Hall of Famer and sartorial iconoclast Craig Sager, and specifically the jacket he wore to accept his Jimmy V Perseverance Award in 2016. Proceeds from its auction set for February 2023 will be donated to the fight against blood cancer. Meanwhile, a Continental GT V8 Convertible is inspired by the work of renowned Brazilian-born artist and Miami resident Romero Britto, encapsulating his colourful life philosophy and celebrating his pop art success.
First Batur coupé development car starts trials across Europe
Extensive whole vehicle development program includes 120 individual tests over a 58 week period
100+ weeks of powertrain development already completed, delivering the most powerful Bentley to date
Batur includes more than 800 unique parts not including customer options for materials and finishes
Vibrant specification for Batur Car #0 using “Purple Sector”
Batur’s advanced materials and construction look towards Bentley’s sustainable future
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – The Bentley Batur has begun real-world road trials across Europe. Following its debut at Monterey Car Week in August 2022 and attendance at numerous events for Bentley Customers, global media and the public, two development Baturs are now starting a rigorous programme of tests to ensure the highest standards of vehicle performance and quality. The limited series of just 18 examples are due to begin deliveries mid-2023 after completion and sign-off of an extensive engineering program.
The validation activities include durability for both the engine and whole vehicle, environmental compatibility & sunlight simulation, high speed stability, aerodynamics, noise & vibration, and driving dynamics. More than 120 individual tests in all cover everything from the quality of the surface finish of the gold “organ stop” ventilation controls to the new W12 engine hardware and software. Over 58 weeks of vehicle validation have been scheduled across the two pre-series cars, supplementing 100+ weeks of vehicle development already completed to validate the increased engine power, making the Batur the most powerful Bentley in history with at least 740 PS.
The first activity for one of the development Batur’s – Car #0 – is an extensive 2,500 kilometre drive across Europe to simulate real world conditions. The route leaves Germany and travels through Italy, France and Spain before high speed testing work is undertaken at proving grounds.
Paul Williams, Chief Technical Officer for Mulliner, comments:
“At the start of the project it was clear that this car had to be the ultimate GT and so every element from the exterior design, engine power and hand-crafted interior has been created without compromise.
“There are a number of unique features that bring new challenges. For example, the exterior headlamps are very compact LED units and made to our styling teams challenging proportions, which transforms the exterior appearance of the car but are complex to produce. We’re also working with the most powerful development of the W12 in its 20-year history, which brings an enormous validation programme.
“Even small details such as the angle of the diamond in the front grille representing the cylinder angle in the W12 engine have had to be considered. And even though there will only be 18 Baturs produced, the level of quality has to be identical to every one of the 15,000 cars Bentley is currently producing each year.”
At the proving grounds, Batur Car #0 will begin seven weeks of durability work on handling tracks, mixed road conditions, high speed testing and abusive surface conditions. During all of these activities data and feedback are collated ensuring the technical targets are being met.
When the proving ground work is complete, another 7,500 kilometres of real world driving will be undertaken before environmental testing commences. In just under four weeks the car will endure 600 hours of solar loading – equivalent to five years in an Arizona desert. This is particularly important for the new sustainable materials used in the exterior components, as an alternative to carbon fibre.
By the time the first customer deliveries begin, over 810 unique parts will have completed 160 weeks of testing and development, delivering the ultimate coachbuilt grand tourer.
The Pinnacle W12 Grand Tourer
The Batur will also be the most powerful Bentley yet, with a 729+ Bhp (740+ PS) version of the iconic, hand-assembled 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine that has metaphorically and literally powered Bentley’s success for the last two decades.
Over 100+ weeks of powertrain development have already been completed to confirm the new air intake system, modified turbochargers, revised intercoolers and new calibrations for the engine gearbox and electronic stability control for the pinnacle W12.
As the engine enters its twilight years as part of Bentley’s Beyond100 transformation journey to being fully electrified, the Batur forms the first part of a celebration of the W12’s extraordinary power, torque and refinement. Engine performance will be matched to the most advanced Bentley chassis ever, with Speed-tuned air suspension, electric active anti-roll control, eLSD, four-wheel steering and torque vectoring.
Batur Car #0
All 18 customer Baturs are already reserved. Each one is being designed collaboratively with each customer, guided by Mulliner’s in-house design team.
Customers will be able to specify the colour and finish of practically every surface of the Batur, to create a car as individual as they are. From the main exterior paint to the surface finish of the air vents, and literally everything in between, each customer will specify even the tiniest of details.
The engineering development car – Batur Car #0 – has had the same level of attention to detail as a customer’s own specification. The exterior paintwork is a bespoke colour – Purple Sector – that provides a deep vibrant colour across the curvaceous surfaces. The bodywork is underscored by front splitters, side skirts and rear diffuser in a high gloss natural fibre finish.
The front of the car features a grille of exceptional art – with the main matrix finished in Gloss Dark Titanium, accented with contrast chevrons in a horizontal ombré pattern that flows from Purple Sector in the centre and gradually darken to the sides to Black Crystal. The “endless bonnet” line is finished in Satin Titanium paint, as are the 22” wheels – with the spokes in Gloss and Satin Black Crystal to match the grille.
One small addition customers will not receive that can be seen on Batur Car #0 are the small white arrowheads found at the edges of the body panels. These markers help to provide feedback on panel movement and any form of relaxation whilst the car is undertaking the durability testing.
Looking To The Future Of Coachbuilding
The Mulliner Bacalar was the first coachbuilt project in recent years which gave significant insight into Bentley’s customers and customer choice. For Batur an even greater selection of options have been developed, not only including colours, materials and finishes, but also new technology such as the Mulliner by Naim Audio system. This takes the Naim Audio system from the Continental GT and transforms it with 20 new Focal speakers, exclusively configured for Batur and custom tuned into a truly immersive class-leading Audio experience.
The design team have given the Batur a unique character with a combination of high end materials and finishes. This is a significant stepping stone towards sustainable material and construction methods, from Additive Manufactured Gold to sustainable hide and natural fibre veneers.
Using advanced manufacturing techniques it is possible for tooling investment to be kept to a minimum which drives lower material and energy usage in the manufacturing processes. Pending successful testing, Mulliner also plan to use natural fibres as an alternative to carbon fibre is some areas of the car. This is a significant reduction in carbon required to produce the materials in these parts.
Sustainability plays a key role in the Batur to help drive the development of sustainable features for future generations of coachbuilt Bentley’s, using Mulliner’s coachbuilding experience as the platform for innovation in line with Bentley’s sustainability goals.
Nautical-themed Continental GT Convertible celebrates the best of the yachting industry
Handcrafted detailing reflects exclusive character of French Riviera
Unique paintwork offered in Aegean Blue, Aquamarine or Caribbean Blue
Distinctive features include marine knot seat logos, Linen hide trim and personalised Riviera Collection treadplate plaques
Mulliner caters to the needs of Bentley’s most discerning customers with its World’s oldest coachbuilder can trace its roots back 500 years
[source: Bentley]
Munich, Germany – Bentley Motors has launched an exquisite Mulliner Riviera Collection to celebrate the elegant world of the yachting industry. Based on the driver-focussed Continental GT Convertible, the ultimate expression of open-air grand touring, the Mulliner Riviera Collection is only available through Bentley Monaco, the elite hub of luxurious Mediterranean sailing.
The handcrafted detailing of the Mulliner Riviera Collection reflects the exclusive character of the French Riviera, home to the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show every summer. This includes a choice of three unique exterior palettes for Monegasque customers – Aegean Blue (aegeanblue; metallic UNI; 6546 / 9560200; Bentley), Aquamarine (aquamarine; metallic UNI; 6525 / 9560153; Bentley) and Caribbean Blue (caribbeanblue; metallic UNI; 6518 / 9560125; Bentley) – created to mirror the colours of the Mediterranean Sea. The same paintwork also extends to a Carbon Fibre Bodykit and Boot Lid Spoiler.
Inside a Continental GT Convertible cabin that offers unparalleled levels of luxury and cutting-edge technology, Mulliner Riviera Collection models display sailing-inspired features, such as marine knot logos on the headrests, Linen hide and Alcantara trim, and personalised Riviera Collection treadplate plaques. Hide Riviera key cases, embroidered Riviera trim emblems and a bespoke interior Colour Split add to the nautical theme.
Balazs Rooz, Regional Director Bentley Europe, commented:
“The Mulliner Riviera Collection shows how Bentley has responded to the high customer demand for personalisation and bespoke exclusivity. Bentley Monaco’s understanding of the yachting world, a key focus of the principality, together with the know-how of our Mulliner designers, have created truly exceptional and unique cars. This will complement the breath-taking Mediterranean coastline and surroundings where this one-off Continental GT Convertible will likely be driven and enjoyed.”
Mulliner Riviera Collection highlights how anything is possible for Bentley’s most discerning customers. The world’s oldest coachbuilder is based at the home of Bentley, in Crewe, England, and now offers craftsmanship on three levels. Curated by Mulliner are cars and features available in the online Bentley Configurator. Mulliner Bespoke are cars and features only available through the retailer, such as the Mulliner Riviera Collection, while Mulliner Coachbuilt are truly unique, one-off cars hand-built by the Mulliner team such as the recently unveiled Mulliner Batur.
The roots of Mulliner date back to the 1500s, when the company created luxurious, horse-drawn carriages in England. In 1923, Mulliner craftsmen worked on a Bentley chassis for the first time, hand-building the bodywork for the 3 Litre model exhibited at the Olympia Show in London.
In 1952, Mulliner coachbuilt the body for one of the most iconic Bentley’s ever. The R-Type Continental was the inspiration for today’s Continental GT. It was followed five years later by the Continental Flying Spur, a special, four-door saloon built on the Bentley Continental chassis. By 1959, Mulliner had officially become a part of Bentley Motors, setting up its workshops in Crewe.
Mercedes-Maybach opens its first ‘Maybach Atelier’ in Shanghai in October for a comprehensive digital and physical luxury experience in retail.
The new multifaceted and holistic retail format highlights Maybach’s creator aura, where guests can immerse themselves in the brand.
Further Maybach Ateliers will open globally over the coming years through to 2030, in line with developing sales channels to present a cohesive brand strategy.
[source: Mercedes-Benz]
Mercedes‑Maybach, the luxury legend that keeps reinventing itself, is embarking on the next chapter of its historic journey with the Maybach Atelier. In keeping with the brand’s sophisticated yet progressive design, the Ateliers will offer: salons privés for more private conversations and meetings in an exclusive setting, physical and digital art programmes, 3D haptic configuration and a new concept for digital installations. And of course, you will be able to purchase a car, expertly guided by Maybach consultants.
On October 21, 2022, the world’s first Maybach Atelier opened in Shanghai – a city bursting with creativity and inspiration – in the heart of the metropolis, located at No. 558 at the Bund Finance Center. The exclusive opening event was themed ‘Heritage with Innovation’. Investors, artists and high-end customers were invited to experience the brand’s core elements in connection with contemporary Chinese ‘rites’ such as the Arts, music and culture.
An Art Exhibition, which opened officially at the Shanghai Fosun Art Center, was curated to express the Mercedes‑Maybach brand and MANUFAKTUR label – to unite creators and connaisseurs in redefining the boundaries of culture. The Exhibition saw Maybach collaborate with three Chinese artists on individual installations that spanned the mediums of paper cutouts, ink graffiti and immersive digital. Three highlight cars were presented over the course of the event, they were: the Project MAYBACH show car, Mercedes‑Maybach S 680 by Virgil Abloh (WLTP combined fuel consumption: 14.3‑13.4 l/100 km | combined CO₂ emissions: 326‑304 g/km)[1], and a Mercedes‑Maybach S 680 MANUFAKTUR (WLTP combined fuel consumption: 14.3‑13.4 l/100 km | combined CO₂ emissions: 326‑304 g/km)1. Equipped with the
Dolby Atmos® and the Burmester® high-end 4D Surround Sound System, the Maybach by Virgil Abloh provided guests the ultimate in-car audio experience. The MANUFAKTUR model showcased an even more individualized experience to meet customers’ needs at the top end of the Mercedes‑Benz portfolio.
Jan Madeja, President & CEO of Beijing Mercedes‑Benz Sales Service Co., Ltd., says: “Building on Mercedes‑Maybach’s global success over the years, especially in China, it is only natural for us to open the world’s first Maybach Atelier in Shanghai. Here, we are bringing Chinese customers the finest experience through Maybach’s utmost attention to detail and state-of-the-art technology.”
“With the Maybach Atelier we continue to build on the brand’s pioneering aura and creator DNA to develop unique moments, in alignment with our customer’s lifestyles. With this new, dedicated retail concept we celebrate artistic interpretations of how we elevate the Maybach excellence to magic, creating moments that represent the brand’s rich heritage and progressive future”, says Daniel Lescow, Head of Mercedes‑Maybach at Mercedes‑Benz Group AG. “We are delighted for this next Mercedes‑Maybach chapter and look forward to future openings in upcoming years.”
The Shanghai Atelier is merely the beginning, as more Maybach Ateliers and other brand dedicated retail formats will open around the world over the coming years through to 2030. In tandem with the Atelier launches, sales channels and concepts will evolve to embody the true personality of Mercedes‑Maybach and create further awareness for the brand within the Mercedes‑Benz portfolio.
At its heart, Mercedes‑Maybach stands for state-of-the-art technology, exquisite craftsmanship and discerning luxury – driven by its aspiration of creating the ‘best of the best’. The brand has ever since inspired royalty, world leaders, luminaries and connoisseurs alike. Now, through Maybach Atelier, there is a dedicated space to demonstrate how Mercedes-Maybach continues to create new experiences by combining tradition with visionary concepts for the requirements of the future.
[1]The stated figures are the measured “WLTP CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 3 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures.
Three new, curated and pastel-coloured Continental GTCs for Bentley Beverley Hills showcase Mulliner design and craftsmanship
Jetstream II, Sage Green and bespoke Hollywood Blush Pink combine to form a unique and striking trio
Customer demand for Mulliner features and individuality continues to expand exponentially
Special paint finish orders more than double since 2020
Mulliner personal commission orders triple in two years
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – Bentley Beverly Hills has used the dizzying portfolio of finishes, materials and features on offer via Bentley Mulliner to commission a limited edition of three Continental GTC Speed models in colours and finishes that recall the golden age of Hollywood.
1920’s residents such as Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Will Rogers and Rudolph Valentino gave Beverley Hills a cachet that it has never lost, and the colours of that Art Deco era have been brilliantly evoked in the Jetstream Blue, Sage Green and Hollywood Blush Pink finishes of the three Mulliner Bentleys.
The first of the three Beverley Hills special edition Continental GTC Speed models features Jetstream II blue finish for both the bodywork and the 22” ten-spoke wheels, with the subtlest of pinstripes to the wheel edge. Highlights of the interior include Linen main hide and contrast stitching with secondary hide in Imperial Blue. Sweeping from waist rail to waist rail across the dashboard is a high gloss Piano Linen over Imperial Blue dual veneer. All models feature the Styling, Touring and City specifications and as a subtle nod to Hollywood’s golden era the words ‘The Beverly Hills’ are rendered in a ‘30s typeface on the illuminated sill plate.
The second of the three Beverly Hills commissions mirrors the specification of the first, but with the pastel tone of Sage Green as the dominant exterior colour on bodywork and wheels. The interior’s dual colour split features Cumbrian Green and Linen, with the same two colours inventively used as a dual veneer on dash and waist rails.
The final Beverly Hills commission of the trio is finished in a subtle, pale ‘Hollywood Blush’ pink. A harmonious contrast is provided by the sumptuous interior, with Linen as the main hide and the deep red Cricketball hide as the secondary contrast. The same two colours are selected for the dual veneer on dashboard and waistrails.
Describing the inspiration for the three-car Beverly Hills Collection, Danika Quinn, Bentley Brand Manager comments:
“Beverly Hills has always been the epitome of glamour, particularly during Hollywood’s Golden Age. This collection is a nod to the bygone era of Old Hollywood encapsulating the spirit of that time; bold white wall tires, soft colour palettes and unique designs that illustrate the “class” of classic cars. The experts at Bentley Mulliner brought my vision to life and helped curate a masterpiece collection for Bentley Beverly Hills that not only exemplifies the allure and grandeur of yesteryear, but also one that highlights the refinement and grace of modern-day Bentley craftsmanship.”
With its W12 engine delivering 659 PS (650 bhp), a 0-60 mph sprint time of 3.6 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds) and a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h) the Continental GT Speed Convertible sits alongside its coupe sibling at the performance pinnacle of the Continental GT family. The Beverly Hills Collection shows what can be achieved through the Mulliner personal commissioning process, where customer, retailer and Mulliner’s design team collaborate to create truly unique cars.
Bentley and Mulliner: a 99-year partnership
Mulliner’s association with Bentley goes back to the earliest days of the company. Now Bentley’s in-house personal commission division, Mulliner plays a key role in defining the company’s future design DNA, as demonstrated to stunning effect by the extraordinary new Batur coupé. From special features and finishes to unique and limited-edition coachbuilt vehicles, the Mulliner name continues to represent the ultimate in Bentley design and craftsmanship.
Customers are showing an increasing appreciation of the individuality that a Mulliner feature can bring to their chosen Bentley. Since 2020, the percentage of Bentleys with specific Mulliner features continues to grow. The demand for Mulliner special paint finishes has more than doubled; and the number of Mulliner personal commissions, bringing a truly individual vision to life in the Mulliner atelier, has tripled.
Regional teams are also taking advantage of the unique ability to curate bespoke collections, specific to their own customers interests and passions.
Originally founded in 1760 with a contract to provide coaches for the Royal Mail, the Northampton-based firm of F. Mulliner was still making horse-drawn carriages as the 20th century dawned. It took the vision of pioneer motorist Henry Jervis Mulliner to propel them into the automotive age. His coachbuilding business H.J. Mulliner established close ties with Bentley Motors, starting with the coachwork for a Bentley 3 Litre at the 1923 Olympia Motor Show. Thus began a family tree of Mulliner Bentleys whose highlights include the Speed Six Saloon in which Woolf Barnato beat the Blue Train, and the inspired synthesis of lightweight materials and aerodynamic design that was the 1952 R Type Continental.
As well as offering curated Bentley models such as the Continental GT Mulliner, Flying Spur Mulliner and Bentayga Mulliner, the division is the home of Bentley’s most exclusive vehicles, both recreating the distant past of the company and exploring its future design direction.
The craftsmen and women of Mulliner Classic painstakingly recreate legendary Bentleys from the past, including the recent series of twelve 4½ Litre Supercharged ‘Blower’ Bentleys based upon the company’s own Birkin Team Car. Last year, Mulliner Classic embarked on its most ambitious and challenging project to date: the resurrection of a truly legendary coachbuilt Bentley, the 6½ litre Bentley Speed Six works racing specification.
In contrast to the work of Mulliner Classic, Mulliner Coachbuilt looks to the future, researching and developing new and sustainable luxury materials and bringing to life the vision of Bentley’s design team. Two such examples are the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar, a two-seat barchetta created as an edition of twelve, and the Bentley Mulliner Batur, a limited edition of 18 hand-built coupés unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2022. Already sold out, Batur affords a glimpse of the road ahead for the styling, features and materials that will define Bentley in the years to come.
New Batur coupé previews new design language for Bentley
New design DNA shows direction for future Bentley BEVs
The next coachbuilt model from Mulliner – the oldest coachbuilder in the world, for over 250 years
Limited to just 18 series examples, all reserved by Mulliner clients and priced at £1.65m (exc. taxes and options) each
Most powerful Bentley in history, with 1,000 Nm development of iconic W12 engine now generating more than 740 PS
Endless array of options includes parts crafted in titanium, sustainable Natural Fibre composites and even 3D printed 18K gold.
Chassis technology including eLSD, four-wheel steering and 48V electric active anti-roll bars bring dynamism to match design and performance
Batur makes debut at Monterey Car Week in front of Bentley customers
Deliveries begin in mid-2023 after extensive development programme
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England and Monterey, CA – Bentley Motors has today unveiled the Bentley Batur – a new two-door grand touring coupé limited to 18 series pieces that embodies the start of a design revolution at Bentley.
Created by Director of Design Andreas Mindt and his team, the Batur is a showcase of a new design DNA that will ultimately guide the design of Bentley’s future range of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).
The collection of just 18 series examples of the Batur is the latest project by Bentley’s in-house bespoke and coachbuilding division, Mulliner, and succeeds the Bacalar – a run of 12 individually specified, designed and handcrafted Barchettas that relaunched coachbuilding at Bentley. Like its predecessor – the Bacalar – the Batur is named after a beautiful natural body of water. Lake Batur is an 88m deep, 16 km2 crater lake in Kintamani on the island of Bali, Indonesia, and provides nutrient-rich water to both local hot springs and agriculture.
The Batur will also be the most powerful Bentley yet, with a 740+ PS version of the iconic, hand-assembled 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine that has metaphorically and literally powered Bentley’s success for the last two decades. As the engine enters its twilight years as part of Bentley’s Beyond100 transformation journey to being fully electrified, the Batur forms the first part of a celebration of the W12’s extraordinary power, torque and refinement. Engine performance will be matched to the most advanced Bentley chassis ever, with Speed-tuned air suspension, electric active anti-roll control, eLSD, four-wheel steering and torque vectoring.
All 18 examples of the Batur have already been reserved. Each one will be designed collaboratively with each customer, guided by Mulliner’s in-house design team. Customers will be able to specify the colour and finish of practically every surface of the Batur, to create a car as individual as they are. Each one will then be handcrafted over the course of several months in Mulliner’s workshop at Bentley’s carbon neutral factory in Crewe, England, with first deliveries expected in mid-2023.
The Batur was unveiled at Bentley’s Signature Party at Monterey Car Week, in front of almost 500 VIP guests, by Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark, who comments:
“The Batur is a significant car for Bentley. Far more than the heir to the highly successful Bacalar, the Batur showcases the design direction that we’re taking in the future as we develop our range of BEVs. Andi Mindt and his team have reimagined the classic Bentley design cues into a stronger, bolder design that remains both elegant and graceful.
“Beneath the beautiful exterior lies the most powerful engine we’ve ever developed. Our W12 engine is easily the most successful twelve-cylinder automotive engine in history, and as it approaches its retirement to make way for future hybrids and BEVs, we want to mark its accomplishments.
“The 18 lucky customers who have already reserved their Batur will enjoy an unrivalled co-creation experience with our Mulliner Design team in specifying their cars. The Batur is the next step in Mulliner’s expansion, demonstrating the demand for truly bespoke vehicles that combine luxury and performance in ways that only Bentley can deliver.”
A Design Revolution
The design of the Batur is the work of Bentley’s Director of Design, Andreas Mindt, and his team including Head of Exterior Design, Tobias Suehlmann and Head of Interior Design, Andrew Hart-Barron. The Bentley design DNA that has driven the creation of the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga families has been revolutionised for the Batur, introducing new themes, approaches and details. The new form language defines a new chapter for Bentley design, as part of Bentley’s Beyond100 transformational journey to become the world’s leading sustainable luxury mobility company.
The Batur previews the design principles that are driving the development of the company’s first BEV – due in 2025 – and the families of cars that follow.
Andreas Mindt explains the design:
“For any design team, the chance to redefine our own rules is the most exciting challenge. We have reimagined the Bentley design language, keeping some continuity to the past and present while also drastically changing key elements.
“The design of a modern Bentley should always be potent, inspirational and harmonious. The form has to be strong and muscular whilst remaining graceful – there must be both elegant flow and muscularity. The term we use is the “resting beast stance” – picture a lion or tiger, laying low in attack position in long grass. That powerful shape – of ultimate power at rest, that looks fast even when stationary – is one that drives our new interpretation of the classic Bentley power line and haunch.
“A mark of power and prestige has always been a long bonnet. Our new design cues include a line that stretches from the bonnet along the whole length of the car, connecting the bonnet into the body, making the car long and lean and giving an elongated proportion to the front end. We call this feature the “endless bonnet”, and it’s the only accent highlight to the cleaner shape. Meanwhile the visual mass of the car is moved rearwards, giving the impression that the car is sat on the rear axle, which adds further depth to the haunches.
“At the very front of the car, we’ve modernised the famous Bentley grille and made it lower and more upright, to give a stronger face and a more dominant stance. This upright elegance brings self-confidence with a luxury stance. The grille is flanked by a new headlight shape and design, an evolution of the design used on Bacalar and maintaining the single large headlight either side. These are matched with all-new tail-lamps at the rear, that sit either side of a deployable spoiler.
“Overall, the form is cleaner and simplified, and we rely more on curvaceous surfaces bisected in the right places to reflect light and dark and bring more muscle to the design.”
The Next Exceptional Mulliner Project
The Batur is the heir and successor to the Bacalar, the 12-off Barchetta design that brought coachbuilding back to Mulliner. Mulliner has become adept at delivering complex projects, including the Bacalar and the Blower Continuation Series – the world’s first continuation of a pre-war car. The coachbuilding skills that have been reborn through both projects will combine with generational handcraftsmanship to deliver the 18 Baturs that are to be built, each one entirely and meticulously by hand.
Paul Williams, Director of Mulliner, comments:
“With Bacalar, we proved the appetite of our clients for truly bespoke and individual Bentleys. We’re building on that story with the Batur, and the fact that all 18 cars are already reserved is testament to the fact that our design team is creating cars that our clients want to buy. Batur is not only a beautiful handcrafted Bentley – it is the next member of a distinguished line of cars coachbuilt by Mulliner, which include the W.O. Bentley’s favourite car in the 8 Litre and the now truly-iconic R-Type Continental.”
Mulliner’s in-house design team will co-create every Batur with its customer, working together for several hours through a specially-created Mulliner visualiser that allows any part of the car to be customised in colour and surface finish. Endless samples of unique materials bring texture to the process, and the resulting designs will be truly individual and created by the customer – limited only by their imagination. From the main exterior paint to the surface finish of the air vents, and literally everything in between, each customer will specify even the tiniest of details.
Through handcrafted materials and exceptional colours, each Batur will then be brought to life by Mulliner’s team of automotive artisans in a process taking several months for each car.
Exterior Details
Beyond the exterior form of the car lies an almost endless array of choices for each car’s future owner to make. Paint choice is infinite – starting with the full Mulliner colour palette and travelling beyond into fully bespoke paint and even hand-painted graphics.
The aerodynamic additions of front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser can be crafted in both carbon fibre or new, sustainable Natural Fibre composite.
The exterior brightware can be any mix of light and dark, satin or gloss or even titanium. As per the first car, another option is graduated contrast colour to the front grille, for a vibrant ombre effect.
The Batur sits on unique 22” wheels, with the ‘standard’ option being painted in Black Crystal and then surface bright machined and polished. A darker option combines dark gloss faces with satin spokes, while customers can also choose to paint-match the wheels to the body with or without contrast finish, or to choose a totally different contrast colour.
The car revealed in Monterey has been specified to showcase the Batur’s form language. The exterior paintwork is a bespoke colour – Bonneville Pearlescent Silver – that provides flowing contrast across the curvaceous surfaces. The bodywork is underscored by carbon fibre front splitters, side skirts and rear diffuser painted in Black Crystal. The front of the 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 Hyperactive Orange in the centre and gradually darken to the sides to Black Crystal. The “endless bonnet” line is finished in Satin Titanium paint, as are the 22” wheels – with the spokes in Satin Dark Titanium to match the grille.
A Cabin of Sustainable Bespoke Beauty
The two-seat interior space of the Batur is designed for ultimate personalisation and long-distance grand touring. Inspired by the success of the interior design of the Bacalar, the Batur builds on the core elements of the Bacalar’s cabin design and adds new sustainable luxury features.
Every element of the cabin is tailored to the customer’s specifications. Clients can choose from a variety of sustainable interior materials, including:
Low-carbon leather sourced from Scotland, which travels significantly smaller distance than leather sourced from outside the UK.
Sustainable tannage leather from Italy, in five different colours.
Dinamica, an alternative suede-like sustainable material to leather.
The range of veneers available for the fascias include a new material for Bentley – Natural Fibre composite, which is a sustainable alternative to carbon fibre. Available as a 2×2 twill weave and finished in satin lacquer, the Natural Fibre composite brings a new sustainable texture to the cabin. Regardless of the veneer chosen, the passenger fascia panel is finished with a unique etching of the audio signature of the W12 engine – and bespoke etching is also available.
The final sustainable elements are the carpets, which are matched to the leather and made from recycled yarn, in a first for Bentley.
Clients will choose between bright or dark treatments to the interior brightware and titanium options are also available. Certain controls – like the organ stops for ventilation – are even available in 3D-printed 18K gold.
The interior of the launch Batur has been trimmed by hand in a stunning combination of black, red and orange – specifically, Beluga, Hotspur and Hyperactive. Beluga main hide is contrasted with new, even more sustainable low CO2 Mulliner Hyperactive Orange leather. A complementary texture is provided through the use of Dinamica – a suede-like alternative to leather – in both Beluga and Hotspur. Unique “Batur Chevrons” to the outer wings of the seats are finely embroidered by hand in Snap Orange thread, whilst the remainder of the upholstery carries a white thread in contrast throughout. The soft elements are completed with a new feathered artisan piping in Beluga, with Hyperactive Orange piping to the seat centres and a Hyperactive Orange finish to the lower spoke of the steering wheel.
The veneers to the Instrument Panel, fascias and doors are Gloss Black painted, with a ‘guitar fade’ to Fine Brodgar that flows from the fascias to the doors, before fading back to black. The fascia is completed with a unique piece of art – a laser-etched sound wave, which represents the unique sound generated by the W12 engine. The metallic elements of the interior are a blend of Black Anodised Aluminium and Satin Titanium, completed with a hallmarked 18 karat gold Bentley Dynamic Drive Selector and ‘12 o’clock’ steering wheel centre band.
The Mighty W12
The Batur features the most powerful engine yet fitted to a Bentley. The 6.0-litre W12 that started the rebirth of Bentley with the Continental GT in 2002 has been through several design iterations since, and is now the most advanced twelve-cylinder engine in the world. It has always been hand-crafted in Bentley’s carbon neutral factory in Crewe, England.
For the Batur, a new intake system, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers and extensive recalibration more than 740 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, to deliver exceptional performance for this new pinnacle grand tourer. This development of the engine is in celebration of its achievements over 20 years, over which time it has been developed to produce nearly 40% more power while fuel economy has improved by 25%. For the Batur, the W12 is paired with Bentley’s eight-speed double-clutch transmission, and a sports exhaust to provide a soundtrack in keeping with the level of performance. The entire exhaust system is in titanium, while the finishers are 3D-printed in titanium in a first for Bentley.
As Bentley moves towards the era of electrification, the W12 is entering its twilight years. Before its retirement, this engineering masterpiece is worthy of commendation, and the Batur is the perfect home for the ultimate development of W12 performance.
A Chassis System to Match
As well as being the most power and most exclusive Bentley coupe to date, the Batur will also be the most dynamic.
Adaptive three-chamber air springs each have three switchable chambers, changing the volume of the air spring and so its effective stiffness. The driver can select the balance between ride comfort and body control using the four-mode Drive Dynamics Control in the centre console, choosing between Sport, Bentley, Comfort and Custom.
The Drive Dynamics Control also changes the behaviour of the 48V electric active anti-roll control system, which can provide up to 1,300 Nm of anti-roll torque in 0.3 seconds 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 maximised through the use of an electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) 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 Batur rides on bespoke 22” wheels with Pirelli tyres.
Flying Spur Mulliner now available with Blackline Specification
Contemporary alternative exterior to Bentley’s most luxurious and powerful model
22” wheel design, with self-levelling centre badge, exclusive to Mulliner
Available with Bentley’s V6 Hybrid, V8 and W12 powertrains
Almost every one in five Continental GT Mulliner orders now specified with Blackline
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – Revealed at the prestigious Monterey Car Week in California in 2021, the elegantly appointed Flying Spur Mulliner sits at the pinnacle of the Flying Spur family, combining the very finest in modern craftsmanship and breath-taking luxury. The introduction of Blackline Specification to the Flying Spur Mulliner builds on the increasing customer popularity of the GT Mulliner Blackline, with an uptake of nearly 20 per cent. Contemporary external treatments replacing bright chrome are now offered across all Mulliner models.
The Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline Specification replaces all of the exterior brightware (excluding the Bentley ‘Winged B’ badge) for gloss black versions. In place of the satin silver upper mirror caps typical of a Flying Spur Mulliner, for the Blackline Specification the mirrors are finished in gloss Beluga black. The signature Mulliner matrix wing vents are also blackened, and finished with bright Mulliner branding. The radiator grille remains black with bright edges to the 3D design and the lower bumper grilles are also finished in black.
The Blackline Specification also offers an optional black 22” Mulliner wheel with contrast polished ‘pockets’, or alternatively 22” Mulliner gloss black wheel with self-levelling badges featuring chrome rings are also available. The new specification allows Mulliner customers further visual contrast with lighter exterior palettes or elegantly blend in with darker colour choices.
The luxurious interior of the Flying Spur remains unchanged from the existing Mulliner edition, allowing customers to enjoy any colour combination they choose as part of Mulliner’s limitless offering, or one of eight recommended three-colour combinations, using Bentley’s wide palette of hides and threads.
The Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline Specification is available with Bentley’s V8 and W12 powertrains, as well as the new V6 Hybrid. When equipped with Bentley’s 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12, the Flying Spur Mulliner accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds) and is capable of a top speed of 207 mph (333 km/h). The new generation 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 delivers a top speed of 198 mph (318 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds). The new V6 Hybrid accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds) with a top speed of 177 mph (285 km/h).
Curated Luxury
The interior of the Flying Spur Mulliner offers a unique choice of exquisite detail and tactile finishes, and demonstrates the skilled craftsmanship of all Mulliner products. There are eight individually curated interiors to choose from consisting of three colours – a main, secondary and an accent.
One of the bolder curated interiors – Flare – is a combination of Beluga leather to the instrument panel, door trims and headlining while a rich red leather called Hotspur emphasises the style of the seats. Linen micro-piping, embroidery and accent line combines a third colour into the unique Mulliner interior.
The Mulliner Driving Specification is fitted as standard, bringing the “Diamond-in-Diamond” quilting to the seats, and three-dimensional leather to the doors. Contrast seat piping matches the accent that surrounds the occupants from the centre console, around the instrument panel and finishes beneath the door waistrail, highlighting the Bentley B chrome inlays.
Modern craftsmanship and breath-taking luxury combine in the diamond milled technical finish that is applied to the centre and rear consoles. The centrepiece feature on the dashboard alongside chrome bullseye vents is a stunning, brushed silver Mulliner clock.
The classic Bentley theme continues in the LED driver’s instrument panel, with stylish new and exclusive Mulliner graphics. The now famous Bentley Rotating Display, sports pedals, heated duo-tone 3-spoke steering wheel and panoramic sunroof further add to the luxurious ambience.
Unique Mulliner electrically-operated picnic tables are mounted to the rear of the front seats and can be deployed with a single press of a button. The veneered tables, which feature unique overlay, lower and self-level to reveal a leather-trimmed surface with a recess for a pen or stylus. Holding the button down returns the table gracefully to its home position.
Mulliner returns to Monterey Car Week
Mulliner will debut a stunning new model – the Batur – later this week at Monterey Car Week. So much more than the successor to Bacalar, the Bentley Mulliner Batur reveals an all-new design language for Bentley that showcases themes and forms that will define Bentley’s future range of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).
Eight cars now handed-over to customers around the world
Last four cars in final preparation by hand ready for delivery
Array of bespoke specifications shows diversity of customer requests
All cars created in Bentley Mulliner’s dedicated workshop in Crewe
Detailed spec of one Bacalar shows depth of customisation
Mulliner looks to the future for next bespoke model
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – Bentley Mulliner is completing the final stages of handcraftsmanship of 12 of the rarest Bentleys of the modern era – the exquisite Bacalar. The Bacalar is the ultimate expression of two-seat, open-air luxury and was the first in a new series of pinnacle bespoke projects that have spearheaded a return to coachbuilding by Bentley Mulliner – the oldest coachbuilder in the world. The imminent completion of the Bacalars will allow the Mulliner team to focus attention towards their next project, which will be revealed soon.
Eight Bacalars – each in a unique colour designed by its customer – have now been handed to their owners around the world, with the final four cars in the last phases of preparation in Mulliner’s Crewe workshop for transport and delivery. With each car taking around six months to complete, the last tasks and quality checks mark the end of a long and incredibly detailed process to craft each Bacalar according to its owner’s wishes.
Bacalar has been brought to life by Bentley Mulliner to revive its specialism in providing rare coachbuilt cars to only a few discerning customers. A roofless Barchetta design with all-new and highly muscular coachwork, embracing a myriad of options and materials, each Bacalar is truly unique, the result of direct interaction between the Bentley Mulliner design team and each individual customer. As with every car in the series, strictly limited to 12 examples, all cars have had every detail specified by their owners, and as such are totally bespoke to them.
Each carbon fibre body is finished in a bespoke colour for each individual customer with no two cars being the same. The cars sit on unique 22” Tri-Finish wheels, with polished faces, dark grey satin spokes and accent highlights to complement the exterior.
Maria Mulder, Head of Colour, Materials and Finishes, comments;
‘Designing a Bacalar is an exercise in imagination, with the material, colour and finish of practically every interior and exterior surface being bespoke. Regardless of your personal style, whether it be to specifying your Bacalar with a bold Yellow Flame exterior paint synthesised with rice husk ash, or a more subtle Moss Green that reflects Bentley’s heritage, developing your own artisan piping, or co-create a unique fabric blend, the Bacalar has provided all of these opportunities.’
Uniquely designed details and features in the cabin emphasise the coachbuilt character of the car, with an almost infinite number of ways for the 12 customers to express their personal taste and commission a unique interior.
Sustainable, ethically-sourced materials previewed in the EXP 100 GT concept car have now become reality in a number of the Bacalars. These include paint containing ash from rice husks, which provides a sustainable way of delivering a rich metallic finish, natural British wool and 5,000-year-old Riverwood sourced from the ancient Fenlands of East Anglia.
From the use of precious inlays and unique finishes to the driver controls, to the 148,199 individual stitches needed to embroider the unique Bacalar quilt on each seat, owners will find details and components not seen before on a Bentley.
Due to the nature of these personal commissions, Bentley is not able to reveal the identity of the customers nor where the cars will be heading. However, each customer shares a love of driving, along with an avid appreciation for craftsmanship, authenticity & attention to detail, all deeply associated with Mulliner.
A Perfect Example
One of the finished Bacalars took pride of place on Bentley’s show stand at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, during which time it was handed over to its new owner by Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark. The specification of the car is a perfect example of how every detail of a Bacalar was chosen by its customer.
This Bacalar was finished in bespoke Sunset Orange (sunsetorange; metallic UNI; 6809 / 9560100; Bentley), with customised tri-colour 22” wheels in dark grey satin with polished faces and gloss black highlights providing a bold contrast to the vibrant exterior. The centres of the headlamps were colour matched to the Sunset Orange bodywork, either side of a set of gloss black grilles and surrounds. The bonnet vents provided a textural difference being finished in satin carbon fibre, as were the wing mirrors. Satin carbon fibre also gave additional definition to the ‘power humps’ behind the front seats – accented with Sunset Orange brightware – along with the side skirts and rear diffuser, complemented by exhaust finishers with gloss black outers and matte black inners.
Side vents and the rest of the exterior brightware are in gloss black, as are the insides of the exterior door handles.
A white and black cabin with Mandarin Orange accents creates a striking contemporary interior theme. A satin carbon fibre technical finish encapsulates the occupants, sweeping from one side of the cabin to the other, matching the exterior technical details harmoniously. Every panel and detail of the interior was specified to the customer’s choice, through careful combinations of leather and Alcantara in white, black and orange, gloss and satin metals in black, dark tint and bright chrome finishes, and the twin usage of both gloss and satin carbon fibre.
Mandarin Orange leather accentuates the form of the top roll, the centre line in the steering wheel and both the door release and gear lever. This continues with further stitching details to the rear of the seats within the oval perforated Beluga piping and hand cross stitching along the door following the styling line around to the centre console.
The Bacalar is the extreme example of how the tiniest of details included in every Bentley can accumulate to form a cabin unlike any other. This customer’s car is no exception, and details include:
The analogue clock faces of the Bentley Rotating Display provide a splash of contrast in Bacalar Blue.
The carpets feature a ‘diamond carved’ pattern, with binding and stitching in Mandarin Orange.
The split line between satin carbon fibre and gloss black in the luggage area – usually unseen and hidden by luggage – was specified to be in satin dark tint
The bespoke luggage that fits behind the seats feature Alcantara uppers to match the car, along with embroidery in Mandarin Orange and oval-perforated beluga piping with a Mandarin Orange core – exactly replicating the finish to the back of the fronts seats
Infinite Choice
The specification of every Bentley is a voyage of discovery, with even a ‘standard’ model being configurable in literally billions of ways. The process of designing a Mulliner goes even further – with infinite combinations of materials, colours and finishes. The exquisite grand tourers that result are only bounded by the law of the land and the imagination of the customer. The next coachbuilt model from Mulliner – to be revealed soon – will be no exception.
Two decades of Bentley in China marked with new Mulliner Bentleys
Four families of 20 cars each showcase stunning Mulliner designs
Each family inspired by a different iconic London location
Mulliner’s designers create unique specifications to reflect unique characters, matched by artisanal handcraftsmanship
New colours, veneers and bespoke details used for the first time
‘The Guard’ Continental GT pays homage to the Royal Guards
‘The Carnaby’ Continental GTC celebrates Carnaby Street in Soho
‘The Pall Mall’ Flying Spur inspired by the Bentley State Limousine
‘The Savile Row’ Bentayga inspired by the world’s most famous tailors
All 80 V8-powered cars to be sold in China
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – Bentley Mulliner has created a unique collection of new Bentleys to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the British marque’s presence in China. Each of the four special models has been inspired by a famous location in London, where W.O. Bentley founded Bentley Motors in 1919.
Mulliner’s considered design and meticulous handcraftsmanship have been applied to the Continental GT, Continental GTC, Flying Spur and Bentayga to create the four families of cars within the collection, with each one numbered as one of 20 to denote its exclusivity.
The four models – The Guard, The Carnaby, The Pall Mall and The Savile Row – introduce unique designs, embroidery and Mulliner features that characterise the cars and celebrate their iconic London muses. 20 cars in each family are due to be individually handcrafted by Mulliner, and all are destined for Chinese clients.
The Guard
The first car in the collection is The Guard, inspired by the famous Royal Guards who protect the Royal Household. St James Red (saintjamesred; metallic UNI; 6331 / 9561031; Bentley) pearlescent paint with a Beluga roof mimic the red tunic and 18” black bearskin hats worn by the Guards. The bodywork is complemented by 21” ten-spoke wheels, painted black but with a bright machined finish, and a carbon fibre Styling Specification body kit (front splitter, side sill extensions, rear diffuser and boot lid spoiler) also painted in Beluga but finished with a Moonbeam pinstripe. Subtle ‘The Guard’ exterior badges in black, denoting the car as one of 20, adorn the front wings.
Inside the cabin, a bespoke three-tone colour split in Linen, Beluga and Hotspur is completed by Beluga lambswool rugs. Veneers match the leather, being finished in Piano Hotspur over Piano Black, demonstrating Mulliner’s ability to paint wood veneer to match any interior hide or exterior paint hue. Contrast stitching and piping add the final accents of colour.
The gold tunic buttons of the Guards’ uniform are reflected by Gold Organ Stops to control the cabin heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, while the speakers of the Bang & Olufsen sound system are finished in black and gold to match. Headrest embroidery, an overlay to the passenger fascia and bespoke treadplates all carry The Guard graphics.
The Carnaby
The Convertible model in the collection is The Carnaby, based on Carnaby Street in London’s Soho district. Known for its energetic and lively atmosphere and bright colours, Carnaby Street has inspired an equally vibrant Bentley available in four different colours – Radium (radium; metallic UNI; 6640 / 9560236; Bentley), Jetstream II (jetstreamii; metallic UNI; 6572 / 9560249; Bentley), Orange Flame (orangeflame; metallic UNI; 6201 / 9560002; Bentley) and Onyx (onyx; metallic UNI; 6935 / 95g0161; Bentley). 22” wheels are black-painted and then finished with a solid white (Arctica) accent, which is matched by an Arctica pinstripe to the Styling Specification body kit. The Carnaby badging is fitted to the front wings.
Inside, bespoke Radium hide accents and matching contrast stitching in both Radium and Silver bring a splash of vibrancy through Beluga leather, along with a colourful diamond motif set into the passenger fascia, that represents the four colours in the family.
The centre console features new dark tint diamond brushed aluminium, while embroidery uses the same diamond motif as the fascia – with the exterior colour shown more boldly in the four-colour design.
The Pall Mall
In 2002, the same year that the first Bentley was sold in China, Bentley delivered a new State Limousine to Her Majesty The Queen, in celebration of her Golden Jubilee. 20 years later, the car is still the official State Limousine of Her Majesty, and often seen on formal and state occasions.
The Pall Mall Flying Spur is a 2022 homage to the State Limousine, featuring bespoke duo-tone Beluga (beluga; non-metallic UNI; 6901 / 9561026; Bentley) over Claret (claret; mica metallic UNI; 6322 / 9560117; Bentley) paint with matching 22” ten-spoke wheels in a claret-painted and bright-machined finish. Exterior bright chromework and a “The Pall Mall” badge to the C-pillar complete the regal exterior.
In the four-seat cabin, a bespoke and unique front-to-rear colour split separates the rear seats from the front, flowing from Imperial Blue in the front to the bespoke hide colour of Baroda Blue (colour-matched to the hide in the State Limousine) for the rear seats. A full length centre console separates the two rear seats. The veneer uses one wood species with two different finishes – Open Pore Burr Walnut over High Gloss Burr Walnut, for a beautiful combination of pattern and texture. The rear doors are finished with Burr Walnut, while the backs of the front seats house picnic tables finished in Piano Baroda Blue.
The finishing touches to the cabin include bespoke micro-piping in Pale Gold, contrasting with seat piping in Imperial Blue. A bespoke crown motif is embroidered to the seats, and the rear seats include loose leather-trimmed cushions. The crown motif is also repeated as a veneer overlay in Gold to the centre rear console, the passenger fascia and the rear door panels.
The Savile Row
The final car in the collection is The Savile Row – a Bentayga that uses the world-renowned home of tailoring as its inspiration. Traditional tailoring materials are given a modern twist, with a design that pays respect to the craftspeople of Savile Row.
Clean Cumbrian Green (cumbriangreen; metallic UNI; 6615 / 9560152; Bentley) bodywork is twinned with 22” ten-spoke wheels, Cumbrian Green-painted and with a bright machined finish. Inside, the four seat cabin with rear centre console uses a beautiful bespoke colour split in Cumbrian Green and Portland hides, with carefully selected areas of contrast stitching. Mulliner’s ‘Serenity’ seat quilting to the seats, doors and backboard is complemented by bespoke and exclusive High Gloss Burr Elm veneer on the fascias, centre consoles and door waistrails – the first time this veneer has been used in a modern Bentley.
Embroidery showing a suit and bow tie is stitched to the headrests, while the special model is also denoted by an overlay in the passenger fascia and by bespoke treadplates, along with exterior badging to the D pillar.
Summary
The 80 cars of this special collection will be sold exclusively in China over the coming months, with the first examples due to make their global debut in China shortly. Customer demand for these unique examples of Mulliner’s incredible design and artisanal handcraftsmanship skills is already extremely high.
