Bentley announced on Tuesday that it has reached the final stages of development for the limited-edition Batur Convertible, with production of customer vehicles set to commence soon. Originally launched as a coupe in 2022, the Batur served as a farewell to Bentley’s iconic W-12 engine, which ceased production in July. The convertible variant was introduced in May and will see a limited run of 16 units, two fewer than the coupe.
Despite the small production size, the development program for the Batur Convertible has been extensive, mirroring that of Bentley’s regular production models. Over the course of a year, the program included 120 individual tests, featuring a long-distance drive from Germany to Spain and high-speed runs at the Idiada proving grounds near Barcelona.
Two prototypes were constructed for this rigorous testing, evaluating every detail from the gold-accented dashboard controls to the custom engine control software for the 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W-12 engine. With an impressive output of 740 horsepower—the highest for the W-12—the Batur coupe can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 209 mph; the convertible is expected to perform similarly.
The prototypes recently completed their journey from Germany to Spain and are currently undergoing seven weeks of durability testing at Idiada. These tests will assess handling, road performance, and the convertible roof, which can be opened or closed in just 19 seconds while traveling at speeds up to 30 mph.
The Batur and Batur Convertible are among the last Bentley models to feature the W-12 engine. Bentley has introduced a replacement powertrain: a V-8 plug-in hybrid that debuted in the updated Continental GT Speed and the Flying Spur Speed, generating 771 hp, with lower-rated versions expected for future models.
Looking ahead, Bentley plans to transition into electric vehicles, with its first EV slated for release in late 2026.
Related Topics:
