£2m Batur is the most powerful Bentley ever before it goes electric

The most powerful Bentley in history is unveiled today with a £2million price-tag as the luxury British car-maker celebrates the ‘twilight’ of mammoth petrol engines in the face of an accelerating electric revolution.

For although the exclusive new 200mph Bentley Mulliner Batur is powered by a vast 6.0-litre W12 gas-guzzling petrol engine developing more than 740 horse-power – equivalent to seven Ford Fiestas – such technology which dominated the 20th century has now reached its pinnacle and faces imminent ‘retirement’ in the 21st.

But it deserves to go out with a bang – and a big celebration, says Bentley who unveiled the Batur at Monterey Car Week in California in front of nearly 500 VIP Bentley customers from around the world.

We have been lucky enough to have an early exclusive viewing in the UK with the firm’s CEO and chief designer before it set off for the USA.

The most powerful Bentley ever: Daily Mail Motoring Editor Ray Massey had an exclusive first look at the new £2miilion Batur before it was shipped off to California to debut at Monterey Car Week

Bosses say the sporty Batur grand tourer coupe’s styling also marks the start of a design revolution that will drive the look of their forthcoming new generation family of pure electric limousines and sporty grand tourers as part of its second-century ‘Beyond 100’ strategy.

The company said: ‘It is a showcase of a new design DNA that will ultimately guide the design of Bentley’s future range of Battery Electric Vehicles.’

Named after an 88m deep crater lake on the island of Bali in Indonesia, only 18 examples of the new Batur are being sold – and all have been reserved by customers.

Prices start from £1.98million (£1.65m plus VAT) though customers choosing a wide range of bespoke options to individually personalise their individual car are expected to spend well in excess of £2million, and possibly as much as £4million.

The ‘endless array’ of options includes parts crafted in 3D printed 18K gold, titanium, and – for the environmentally and ethically concerned super-rich – natural fibre composites, says Bentley.

The company said: ‘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.’

Bosses say the sporty Batur coupe’s styling also marks the start of a design revolution that will drive the look of their forthcoming new generation family of pure electric limousines and sporty grand tourers as part of its ‘Beyond 100’ strategy

The Batur’s grille is flanked by a new headlight single large headlight shape and design, matched with all-new tail-lamps at the rear, that sit either side of a deployable spoiler

Riding on 22-inch wheels, first deliveries begin in mid-2023 following an extensive development programme.

The British car-maker, employing 4,000 at its factory in Crewe which currently undergoing a major green transformation in readiness for the switch to electric vehicles, said: ‘Bentley Motors has today unveiled the Bentley Mulliner Batur – a new two-door grand touring coupé limited to 18 series pieces that embodies the start of a design revolution at Bentley.

‘The Batur previews the design principles that are driving the development of the company’s first battery electric vehicle – due in 2025 – and the families of cars that follow.’

The Batur is the latest project by Bentley’s in-house bespoke and coachbuilding arm Mulliner, whose history goes back 250 years to the age of coach and horses.

The Batur features a lot of unique features, including speed-tuned air suspension, electric active anti-roll control, four-wheel steering and torque vectoring

Riding on 22-inch wheels, first deliveries begin in mid-2023 following an extensive development programme

The a cossetting 2-seat interior is designed for grand touring and customer can choose from a variety of green and ethical interior materials

It follows on from the earlier the Bacalar – a run of 12 individually specified, designed and handcrafted Barchettas that relaunched the division.

Bentley said: ‘The Batur will be the most powerful Bentley yet, with a 740+ PS version of the iconic, hand-assembled 6-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 transformation journey to being fully electrified, the Batur forms the first part of a celebration of the W12’s extraordinary power, torque and refinement.

Will it fit in my garage? Bentley Mulliner Batur

Built: Crewe, England

Number to be built: 18 (all reserved)

Price: from £1.98million (£1.65million plus VAT)

First deliveries: mid-2023

Length: 4,850mm

Width: 2,187mm

Height: 1,405mm

Wheelbase: 2,851mm

Weight: 2,273kg

Seats: 2 Doors: 2

Engine: 6.0 litre W12

Power: 740 horse-power (hp)

Transmission: 8 speed double-clutch automatic

Top speed: 200mph-plus

0 to 62 mph: 3.4 seconds (estimate)

Wheels: 22 inch/Pirelli tyres

‘Engine performance will be matched to the most advanced Bentley chassis ever.’

This includes speed-tuned air suspension, electric active anti-roll control, four-wheel steering and torque vectoring.

Bentley said each of the 18 reserved Baturs will be designed ‘collaboratively’ with each customer guided by Mulliner’s in-house design team – specifying the colour and finish of every surface ‘to create a car as individual as they are’.

Each will then be handcrafted over several months in Mulliner’s workshop at the Bentley’s factory. The level of personalisation will be limited ‘only by their imagination’, said Bentley.

Bentley chairman and chief executive Adrian Hallmark, who unveiled the car in front of nearly 500 guests at the Californian extravaganza said: ‘The Batur is a significant car for Bentley. It showcases the design direction that we’re taking in the future as we develop our range of battery electric vehicles.’

He added: ‘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 electric vehicles, we want to mark its accomplishments.’

Design chief Andreas Mindt said modern Bentleys must be ‘potent, inspirational and harmonious’ while balancing being muscular and graceful.

He said: ‘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.

‘The long ‘endless’ bonnet signifies power and prestige.

‘The visual mass of the car is moved rearwards, giving the impression that car is sat on the rear axle, which adds further depth to the haunches.

‘Overall, the form is cleaner and simplified,’ he said.

Design chief Andreas Mindt said modern Bentleys must be ‘potent, inspirational and harmonious’ while balancing being muscular and graceful

The interior of the launch Batur has been trimmed and embroidered by hand in a combination of black, red and orange. The show car also has a hallmarked 18 karat gold Bentley Dynamic Drive Selector

Vegans and vegetarians are catered for with ‘Dinamica’ material – a suede-like alternative to leather that’s animal-product free

The Bentley grille has been made lower and more upright, to give a stronger face and a more dominant stance: ‘This upright elegance bring self-confidence with a luxury stance’.

The grille is flanked by a new headlight single large headlight shape and design, matched with all-new tail-lamps at the rear, that sit either side of a deployable spoiler.

The show car is in a Bonneville Pearlescent Silverto shade to highlight its curves.

Customers can choose fully bespoke paint, even hand-painted graphics, carbon fibre or natural fibre composites. The Batur’s 22′ wheels come as standard in Black Crystal but with many options.

The a cossetting 2-seat interior is designed for grand touring and customer can choose from a variety of green and ethical interior materials.

This includes ‘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 colour and ‘Dinamica’, a suede-like alternative to leather, which may appeal also to vegans and vegetarians.

The Batur is the latest project by Bentley’s in-house bespoke and coachbuilding arm Mulliner, whose history goes back 250 years to the age of coach and horses

Veneers for the fascias include a new natural fibre composite as an alternative to carbon fibre. It is available as a 2×2 twill weave and finished in satin lacquer.

The fascia also includes a unique piece of art – a laser-etched sound wave representing the unique sound or audio signature generated by the W12 engine. Bespoke etching is also available.

Carpets are matched to the leather and made from recycled yarn.

Titanium is used as a highlight, but Bentley notes: ‘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 and embroidered by hand in a combination of black, red and orange.

The show car also has a hallmarked 18 karat gold Bentley Dynamic Drive Selector.

Veneers for the fascias include a new natural fibre composite as an alternative to carbon fibre. It is available as a 2×2 twill weave and finished in satin lacquer

The front seats in the show car we saw early features a mix of materials, the Bentley logo embossed into the headrests and the Batur marque in the chair back

The fascia also includes a unique piece of art – a laser-etched sound wave representing the unique sound or audio signature generated by the W12 engine. Bespoke etching is also available

Bentley said of its W12 engine: ‘The Batur features the most powerful engine yet fitted to a Bentley. Over 20 years it has been developed and refined to produce nearly 40 per cent more power while fuel economy has improved by 25 per cent.’

The engine is paired with Bentley’s eight-speed double-clutch transmission, and a titanium sports exhaust ‘to provide a soundtrack in keeping with the level of performance’.

Boosting dynamic performance, the driver can select a balance between ride comfort and body control using the four-mode Drive Dynamics Control in the centre console which offers Sport, Bentley (for everyday driving), Comfort and Custom.

A 48-volt active antiroll system enhances stability as part of a suite of electronic handling and traction aides and a powerful Carbon-Silicon-Carbide braking system.

Bentley’s current standard line up comprises: Continental GT, Continental GTC, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Bentayga EWB, with new electric models in the pipeline.