Bentley Motors unveiled its latest coachbuilt creation, the Batur Convertible, at an exclusive four-day event hosted at Bab Al Shams Resort, Dubai. As only the third bespoke model of the modern era by Bentley’s in-house division Mulliner, and limited to just 16 examples globally, the Batur Convertible represents more than craftsmanship—it marks a closing chapter for the brand’s revered W12 engine and a statement on the future of personalised luxury.
Rooted in Bentley’s heritage of grand touring and open-cockpit design, the Batur Convertible is not a radical reinvention but a subtle evolution. Its profile blends design cues from the earlier Bacalar barchetta and Batur coupe while introducing functionality unique to a convertible. A distinctive wraparound cockpit and dramatic airbridge behind the seats recall early Bentley sports cars, reinforcing the sense of an immersive, driver-focused experience. The airbridge and tapered cowls aren’t simply decorative—they shape a semi-enclosed luggage compartment and visually ground the car’s two-seat configuration.
The Batur Convertible is also among the final Bentleys to house the brand’s iconic W12 powertrain. The 750 PS, 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine is the most potent version ever built by the marque and will end production later this year. Its presence here feels both celebratory and reverent—a high-performance farewell to an engine that has defined the brand for two decades. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and a titanium sports exhaust system, the car promises a refined but assertive driving experience.
From a design perspective, the Batur Convertible adheres to Mulliner’s philosophy: the customer plays an active role in the creation of each car. Through a dedicated Mulliner visualiser and direct consultation, buyers can customise nearly every surface, finish, and material. From hand-painted exterior graphics to 3D-printed rose gold driver controls, the creative process is defined by openness, not limitation. The result is a car that exists not as a model, but as a commission—shaped by its future owner and executed by some of the most skilled craftspeople in the automotive world.
Personalisation goes beyond aesthetics. Materials are sourced and treated with care, and production takes place at Bentley’s carbon-neutral facility in Crewe, England. Rose gold accents on key touchpoints—including the drive mode selector and organ stop vents—are produced in collaboration with heritage goldsmiths in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Even the convertible roof system reflects this attention to detail: a combination of insulation, acoustic treatment, and rapid operation (deployable in just 19 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h) allows the car to shift between enclosed refinement and open-air freedom at the push of a button.
While the event in Dubai served as a launch, it also acted as a symbolic passing of the torch. The Batur Convertible is the final celebration of Bentley’s internal combustion-era coachbuilding. With the brand’s Beyond100+ strategy set to make Bentley fully electric by 2035, this car may be remembered as the last of its kind—a bridge between the traditions of coachbuilding and the technological future of luxury mobility.
Mulliner’s approach to the Batur Convertible echoes the traditions of custom car building: one client, one vision, one result. The exclusivity is not in branding alone, but in the entire process. Every Batur Convertible will be handcrafted over several months, and no two will be alike. In this sense, each car serves as a time capsule—not only of the customer’s preferences but also of the era it represents.
It is fitting that Dubai—a city known for its appreciation of design, rarity, and high craftsmanship—served as the host for the Batur Convertible’s global debut. The Middle East remains a stronghold for Mulliner commissions, where discerning clients seek more than ownership; they seek authorship.
As Bentley gradually shifts its focus to sustainable materials and electrified drivetrains, the Batur Convertible reflects both an ending and a beginning. It celebrates mechanical excellence while hinting at a quieter, cleaner future. It offers performance, yes—but also process, collaboration, and meaning.
In a luxury landscape increasingly defined by tech and trends, the Batur Convertible is a reminder that some of the most meaningful creations are those shaped slowly, by hand, with intent.
