A ride into the THE FUTURE

The limited-edition Batur packages Bentley’s finest with hints of what’s to come.

Owning a Bentley already puts you in a special fraternity of car owners. But with a bit of luck, you can step into a club even more exclusive. By mid-year, the historic British luxury automaker will release the Batur, a limited-edition coupe constructed by the company’s bespoke Mulliner division. Named after an idyllic volcanic lake in Bali, it’s the successor to the outgoing Bacalar and closely resembles the iconic Continental, Bentley’s other two-door model. In fact, the Batur is outfitted with the same 6.0-liter W-12 engine as the Continental—but there are important differences too.

Engineers equipped the new grand tourer with an upgraded intake system and improved turbochargers, giving the engine a maximum output of 729 horsepower—79 more ponies than its predecessor. It’s the most powerful W-12 combustion engine in the lineup, and perhaps Bentley’s last. A series of changes are on the horizon as Bentley further ventures into its Beyond100 initiative to develop a line of electric vehicles. And representatives, including new design director Andreas Mindt, say the Batur is a peek into the EV future. Changes are evident inside and out. From the front, familiar circular headlights were dropped in favor of teardrop-shaped lamps with a trio of efficient LED projectors. The profile resembles a modern muscle car, but the rounded tail softens the look and improves aerodynamics— a departure from the angled lines of other Bentley models. Though technically not an EV, the Batur is as eco-friendly as any non-electric can get. Instead of carbon fiber, manufacturers use high-performance composite material made from flax in body and trimwork to lower their environmental footprint. Leather found in the Batur is processed using methods that involve less water and aldehyde than traditional tanning. And the list will continue to grow.

One thing Bentley hasn’t changed is its commitment to making luxury the standard. Every Batur driver can enjoy bespoke 22-inch wheels, carbon ceramic brakes and rear steering. Owners can also make their car one-of-a-kind with options such as the bespoke titanium exhaust system and the 18-carat gold interior detailing. What’s next for Bentley? One can hardly wait to see.

The estimated starting price for the Bentley Batur is $2 million.