Bentley Batur Completes Development Program

Batur, the ultimate high-performance luxury grand tourer crafted by Mulliner, has completed its full development program, ensuring it meets the highest standards of performance and durability. The production of customer vehicles is now underway, with each car meticulously handcrafted over approximately four months, culminating in the completion of the final unit by the end of 2024.

Following the creation of two development prototypes (known as Zero and Zero-Zero), 18 customer Batur models will be hand-built at Mulliner’s workshop. No compromises are made in Bentley’s rigorous testing program, which includes durability trials on controlled tracks, real-world road conditions, high-speed tests exceeding 200 mph, rough terrain evaluations, and 600 hours of simulated solar exposure—equivalent to five years of Arizona desert conditions—ensuring that sustainable materials used in Batur’s structure are built to last a lifetime.

The Zero prototype is not an ordinary development car. It was built to the same exceptional level of craftsmanship as the upcoming 18 customer vehicles. Its advanced exterior design features the Purple Sector theme, enhanced by front air intakes, side panels, and rear diffusers finished with high-gloss natural fiber. The main front grille, made from polished dark titanium, is accentuated by horizontal shadow-line strips that flow from the central Purple Sector, gradually darkening toward the black crystal edges. Similarly, the engine cover receives a satin titanium finish, as do the 22-inch wheels featuring glossy black crystal spokes.

The second development prototype, Zero-Zero Engineering, showcases a striking Marina Teal finish. These unique finishes, along with new components such as one-of-a-kind front lighting modules, have undergone intense durability testing, including a 2,500-kilometer European journey, high-speed track evaluations, and prolonged exposure to extreme climates. In total, over 800 exclusive and unique components were tested, validated through 160 consecutive weeks of intensive development work.

The W12 engine powering Batur traces its roots back to the 2003 Continental GT. Literally and figuratively, this engine has driven Bentley to the pinnacle of luxury automotive brands. With every successive generation, it has become more powerful, precise, and efficient. Now, as Bentley embarks on its full transition to electric mobility, the W12 in Batur serves as a celebration of this iconic powertrain and highlights its final, peak performance. Delivering a maximum output of 750 horsepower (PS), it is the most powerful W12 ever produced, making it Bentley’s highest-energy propulsion system to date. The new air intake system, upgraded turbochargers, modified internal coolers, revised engine parameters, transmission system, and electronic stability control were all pushed to their limits during more than 100 weeks of intensive propulsion system development. This exceptional engine performance perfectly complements Bentley’s most advanced chassis technology, including speed-adaptive air suspension, active anti-roll control, electronically limited-slip differential (eLSD), four-wheel steering, and torque vectoring.

Advanced technologies used in the creation of Batur enable Mulliner to offer customers unprecedented levels of personalization in the modern era. New sustainable materials like natural fibers, combined with cutting-edge techniques such as 3D-printed recycled gold, give Mulliner designers nearly limitless creative freedom, empowering clients to bring their unique visions of the ultimate high-performance luxury car to life.

Every detail was carefully scrutinized during development, including options such as 18-karat yellow gold for the Charisma Dial and a ventilation control system called “Organ Stop.” These components were manufactured using 3D-printed recycled gold and subjected to tests ranging from thermal stress to resistance against sunscreen chemicals.

Having successfully passed every test with outstanding results, Batur is now ready for the next phase of its journey. All 18 Batur units have been reserved, and each client can now actively participate in the collaborative creation process, guided by expert designers from Mulliner’s team. Beyond selecting colors and finishes for nearly every surface, each Batur will be handcrafted over the coming months in Mulliner’s workshop located within Bentley’s carbon-neutral factory in Crewe, England.

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