Batur Convertible

The exterior design of the Batur Convertible followed the three principles established by the Batur Coupé: Resting Beast, Endless Bonnet and Upright Elegance. However being a convertible significant changes were made to allow for a roof that could be raised or lowered at speeds of up to 30 mph and the maintain the aerodynamic performance of the Coupé.
 

A sleek integrated spoiler was then designed to maximise the air flow over the rear of the car, serving both function and aesthetics. Further to this, an iconic feature of the cockpit was designed that became known as the Airbridge – a sleek curved structure rising up behind the two seats, created to direct fast-moving air in such a way that occupants of the car were never made uncomfortable by the wind, even at high speeds.
 

Like the Batur coupé before it, the Batur Convertible represented a sleeker, more focused vision of luxury, where sustainable materials and innovative methods of production are used to achieve new forms and textures.

An array of innovative new finishes were made available for the Batur cars, from hallmarked 18-carat rose gold to aerospace-inspired, machine-detailed titanium. 18-carat rose gold was available as an option for numerous interior accents, from the ‘Charisma’ rotating dial to the 12 o’clock ring at the top of the steering wheel and the organ-stop air vent controls. Laser-etched veneers, meanwhile, showcased an entirely new technological process, allowing for unmatched levels of detail on high-gloss surfaces finished in wood, colour-matched paint and carbon fibre.
 

On the outside, details such as 3D-printed titanium exhaust finishers allowed the Mulliner team to create details that had simply never been seen before.

The Batur Convertible provided more than just a glimpse into the future of Bentley convertible design. It also offered a window into the way future Bentleys will be designed and manufactured, using specific materials and techniques to achieve a more sustainable vision of luxury.
 

Where leather was used, for example, it could be commissioned in sustainable form, thanks to a production process that uses less water and aldehyde than traditional tanning. There was also the option to select traceable, low carbon leather. Leather-like textiles made from by-products of the coffee roasting process were also included in the interior’s design, as were details such as floor carpets made from recycled yarn.

A number of technology-driven features were developed for the Batur and the Batur Convertible. For example, to deliver the ultimate in music reproduction, Bentley’s high-end audio partner NAIM created the first hand-built speaker and bespoke sound processor set-up ever made for an automotive partner.
 

Another example is the bespoke animated light sculptures developed for the Batur, which projected an animated ‘light through cut crystal’ effect onto the road, the moment the door is opened. A landmark in digital personalisation, the system comprised ten lenses and an advanced Digital Micromirror Device (DMDTM) that included 415,800 microscopic mirrors, each one only one fifth of the width of a human hair. Together, they created an animated visual that was unique to each car, according to a design created in collaboration with the customer.

On the outside, details such as 3D-printed titanium exhaust finishers allowed the Mulliner team to create details that had simply never been seen before.