Producing 659 PS (650 bhp) and 900 Nm (667 lb.ft) of torque, the engine for the first customer Bentley Mulliner Bacalar has now completed assembly and production testing at Bentley’s center of excellence for W12 engines.  The Bacalar spearheads a return to coachbuilding by Bentley Mulliner and features an enhanced version of Bentley’s peerless 6.0-liter, W12 TSI engine, the most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world.  Since the first introduction of the twin-turbocharger W12 in 2003, the refinement of the engine has seen an increase of up to 27 percent in power, 38 percent in torque and a reduction of 28 percent in emissions. This has been realized through evolution and optimization of the crankcase, improvements in the oil and cooling systems, twin-scroll turbocharging technology and more effective injection and combustion processes. Each W12 engine is hand-built over 6.5 hours by a team of 45 craftspeople before undertaking a highly sophisticated test regime of over an hour via three specialist diagnostic machines during the engines assemble. The testing not only provides feedback on the quality of each engine but also provides multiple checkpoints to catalog the exact behavior of each engine from the moment of manufacture. Quality Guaranteed Through Testing The three tests that the Bacalar engine has already been put through are part of Bentley’s exceptional quality control processes. The first test is for leakage and can be undertaken after the engine has been assembled to the point that fuel, water and oil systems can be closed – a production stage known as a “short engine”. The leakage test is conducted by pressurizing each of the systems, for fuel, oil and water individually. The different cavities are pressurized to values between 0.2 – 5.0 bar respectively and then measured whilst the pressure decays over time. The reduction in pressure versus time represents the quality of the sealing of the engine assembly. If the pressure drops faster than expected, a leak is indicated. A fluid is sprayed on to the exterior of the engine to pin-point any leakage paths. The second and most advanced test is Cold Test. The engine is loaded on to a testbed plate and connections are made to the engine loom and all engine systems, whilst a large electric motor couples to the engine via the crankshaft.  “Motoring” the engine via the crankshaft allows the testbed to collect data from a suite of sensors. The facility measures 600 individual properties and characteristics of the engine during a 15-minute cycle. Due to the low running speed of 120 RPM for the test, finer details and any inconsistencies can be identified thanks to a sample rate that highlights even the briefest of anomalies that would be invisible if the engine was firing or running at speed. This fine detail analysis is also valuable for confirming the precise timing of the engine. Using positioning information from sensors on the crankshaft, crankcase and camshafts along with cylinder compression values, the Cold Test can confirm the engine timing is accurate and therefore achieving the best possible combustion cycle.  In order to gather cylinder-specific data, Cold Test is carried out before the exhaust manifolds, turbochargers and other ancillaries are fitted. The third and final test – Hot Test – checks the complete engine assembly once these parts are installed, and simulates real world usage in the vehicle.  When the engine arrives for hot testing, a UV dye is added to the engine to help identify any leaks. The coolant and fuel system are pressurized with air and nitrogen respectively for a final check before introducing the necessary fluids ready for testing. The engine is cranked to build oil pressure before the ignition system is energized and then left to idle whilst the engine test technician listens for any refinement issues and checks for leaks with a UV lamp. Each W12 is then tested for a minimum of 21.5 minutes and runs up to 3,800 rpm with a maximum load of 300 Nm. One in every one hundred engines receives a full eight-hour power test, achieving 6,000 RPM, and must achieve 900Nm. Since the installation of the three testbeds in 2002, over 100,000 W12 engines have been handcrafted in Crewe and passed through the test facility. Engine Technology Advancements Bentley’s legendary 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12, created in 2002, has evolved into the latest iteration of W12 engine used across today’s current model range. The unique W-configuration means that the engine is 24 per cent shorter than an equivalent V12, benefitting packaging and maximizing usable cabin space. The latest generation of W12 was launched in the Bentayga in 2016. A thoroughly reworked engine included a crankcase 30 percent stronger than its predecessor, while the cylinder surfaces were coated to reduce friction and improve corrosion resistance. A low-alloy steel coating is applied to the bores using an Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) process. Improvements were also made to the cooling system, with the engine featuring three separate coolant circuits. The first is designed to bring the cylinder heads up to optimum operating temperature as quickly as possible for best engine performance and low emissions. The second cools the engine block and oil system, while the third handles the thermal load of the turbochargers. Each system has a dedicated water pump, allowing optimized individual control. The W12 combines high-pressure direct fuel injection (200 bar injection pressure) with low-pressure port injection (six bar). The combination of these two systems maximizes refinement, lowers particulate emissions and optimizes power and torque delivery.  Twin-scroll turbochargers minimize turbo response time and provide a more efficient exhaust package. The exhaust assemblies for the three front and three rear cylinders are separate from one another which then feed the twin-scroll impellers. The turbocharger housing is welded directly to the exhaust manifolds and feature integrated speed sensors, allowing the engine to monitor turbo performance for maximum efficiency. Bentley’s Variable Displacement system shuts down half of the engine under defined conditions. Intake and exhaust valves, fuel injection and ignition are all shut down on defined cylinders, with the engine running as a six-cylinder for improved efficiency. The system will run in this mode in gears three to eight, below 3,000 rpm and up to 300 Nm torque output.

The new Bentley Bentayga V8 has been recognized as the definitive luxury SUV, with the awarding of 4×4 magazine’s Luxury SUV title in their annual 4×4 of the Year awards sponsored by BFGoodrich. The important award celebrates the Bentayga’s benchmark position as the original and best luxury SUV, and comes after the car was previously heralded as the Performance SUV of the Year by the same magazine. Editor of 4×4 magazine, Alan Kidd, comments: “Until this last year, we’ve always seen the Bentayga as a performance SUV. But its pace and dynamics have been so dominant in its character, it has been easy to overlook the luxury that’s a critical element of any Bentley. “That’s why the new Bentayga is so significant. It remains magnificent to drive, with a masterful lightness of touch on the road – but now this is matched by an interior whose seats, fascia and electronics have all been replaced by new items. The improvement is emphatic. “We think the latest version of Bentley’s design language is far better suited to the Bentayga’s proportions, too. It now has the looks to go with its athleticism. “The Bentayga may well go hand in hand with a membership of several exclusive clubs. But the most exclusive of all is the club for vehicles which have triumphed in more than one class in these awards. A former Performance SUV of the Year is now our Luxury SUV of the Year. For one model to reach such heights in two separate categories is truly remarkable.” Consideration for the award was made during Bentley’s “Toy Box” event in October, which included an on- and off-road drive in new Bentaygas. Wading of up to half a meter, side slopes up to 35 degrees and challenging ascent and descent gradients were all tackled with ease by the Bentayga’s intelligent off-road systems. The new Bentayga was the first car launched under Bentley’s Beyond100 business plan in 2020, following a first-generation featuring more than 20,000 cars – more than any of its competitors. A new exterior design adopts the Bentley design DNA now prevalent across the entire model range, giving Bentley the freshest and most modern product family of any luxury car company. Combining the abilities of a performance grand tourer, a luxury limousine, a spacious family car and an off-roader, the new Bentayga follows its predecessor’s mantle of having the broadest brief of any car on sale today. The Bentayga established the luxury SUV sector, and has been enhanced to create the ultimate in power, luxury and usability. Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, England, the new Bentayga is now on sale in all markets around the world. Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing, Chris Craft, comments: “The Bentayga has been the definition of the luxury performance SUV ever since we first launched it five years ago. I’m delighted that 4×4 magazine has conferred this award, recognizing the handcrafted luxury inherent to every Bentayga after having previously commended the car’s performance. That combination of these two seemingly immiscible attributes is what makes every Bentley special, and with the Bentayga we then add every-day practicality, the latest onboard technology and all-terrain usability. It really is the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything car.” 

Bentley is taking the next step on its journey to a sustainable future with the launch of the new Bentayga Hybrid – the only electrified true-luxury SUV in the world, and a model that Bentley predicts will become the best-selling member of the new Bentayga family.

Following the recent launches of the new Bentayga V8 and Bentayga Speed, the new Bentayga Hybrid becomes the third model in the most successful luxury SUV portfolio the segment has ever seen.

The new exterior and interior design emphasises Bentley design DNA across the entire model range, giving Bentley the freshest and most modern product family of any luxury car company.

The new Bentayga Hybrid offers the ultimate in electric luxury, with smooth and silent progress through urban environments, whilst having the grand touring capability to escape the city and explore further. Customers of the Bentayga Hybrid can escape the noise of the city through the refined and acoustically-isolated serenity of the cabin without engine interference, using up to 31 miles of electric-only range (NEDC), before physically leaving the city behind with the comfort of a total combined range of 536 miles (NEDC).

Delivering the same level of comfort and luxury, yet with a quieter and more refined driving experience, the Bentayga Hybrid brings a selection of new technologies and connected car services, positioning the new product as the most technically advanced Bentayga to date.

Introducing the very latest on-board technology and an even more cosseting cabin, the new Bentayga is significantly revised both inside and out from the previous generation.

Subtle exterior badging complements the new Bentayga’s exterior design now prevalent across the entire model range, giving Bentley the freshest and most modern product family of any luxury car company.

Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, Adrian Hallmark, comments:

“The Bentayga Hybrid is the next step on our journey to becoming the world’s leading sustainable luxury mobility company. Bentley will transform from a 100-year-old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury, and the Bentayga Hybrid is the first model to pioneer our company’s recently announced Beyond100 strategy.”

Bentley’s research shows over 90 per cent of customers use their first-generation Bentayga Hybrid on a daily basis or several times a week, and nearly 100 per cent of customers use EV mode, with half of them consistently undertaking journeys of less than 30 miles.

During previous retailer training, 78 per cent zero emissions journeys were achieved regularly over a 500 mile activity. In a more urban environment, one of Bentley’s development drivers achieved 67 per cent zero emissions over 672 miles around San Francisco, and in the UK, Chris Cole – Project Leader for the Bentayga Hybrid achieved 64 per cent zero emissions commuting to and from the factory.

In real world terms, the majority of journeys can be achieved completely in electric only, with zero emissions, delivering more benefits environmentally and building on Bentley’s new reputation for sustainability for the future.

Hybrid Powertrain Drives Further Technological Advancements

The Bentayga Hybrid’s electrified powertrain consists of 12 main components in three key areas. Firstly the distribution of electricity; the charge point is located on the left-hand side of the car, opposite the fuel flap and is specific to the region of the vehicle. An LED provides a visual indicator showing the state of charge of the battery, which can be charged at a rate of 7.2kW/h.

The 17.3 kWh lithium battery consist of 168 individual cells with an expected life of 100,000 miles or eight years, and can be charged to 100 per cent in as little as two and a half hours (region specific). The power electronics convert the energy stored from the high voltage battery to supply the E Motor or supplement the existing 12v vehicles electrical infrastructure.

Conversion of stored energy into smooth, effortless performance is via the 94 kW (126 bhp) E Motor which can produce up to 258 lb.ft (350 Nm) of torque. The E Motor is housed within the transmission between the gearbox and internal combustion engine and can deliver full torque instantaneously from stationary, providing silent and rapid vehicle acceleration.

A 3.0 litre twin-scroll turbocharged V6 engine supplements the E Motor when additional torque is required or when speeds above 84 mph are requested. To warn pedestrians of the vehicle’s near silent movement, a dedicated speaker emits an exterior sound at low speeds.

The Bentayga Hybrid not only has different drive modes but can also use the information stored via the Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Navigation system to achieve the very best efficiency, via feedback through the throttle pedal.

The Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Accelerator Pedal provides a pressure point when in EV Drive to denote the boundary between pure electric and hybrid power. This encourages the driver to stay in EV Drive for as long as possible but can also be disabled if required.

Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Braking blends seamless integration of braking between the E Motor and conventional hydraulic braking, to provide a conventional feel to the brake pedal for comfort and the driving experience while maximising recuperation of energy.

A dedicated button allows control over the three E Modes – EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode. These will enable the driver to manually manage battery usage during a journey – though this can also be managed automatically by the car.

EV Drive mode is engaged as soon as the car is switched on, and maximises the electric driving experience. This is ideal for city driving and for shorter journeys. The Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Accelerator Pedal provides feedback to the driver using a pressure point to denote the boundary between pure electric and hybrid power. Using predictive data from the Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Navigation database, the pedal will vibrate when approaching a junction or speed limit decrease, advising the driver to lift off the throttle, saving energy whilst also giving the maximum opportunity for regeneration. Haptic feedback through the throttle pedal of the transition between the E Motor disengaging and the internal combustion engine starting encourages the driver to stay in EV Drive for as long as possible, maximising efficiency. In pure electric drive, the E Motor continues to function up to speeds of up to 84mph.

Hybrid Mode maximises vehicle efficiency and range using data from the intelligent navigation system. This mode is suited for longer journeys and uses predictive E-Mode and engine coasting whilst following directions from the navigation system. Inputting a destination, the car will automatically engage the correct Drive Mode for each part of the journey, constantly calculating the most efficient use of battery charge and storing electrical energy for sections of the journey where it is most useful – such as when arriving in the city. The system will reduce on-board charge to zero just as the vehicle reaches its destination, maximising overall efficiency.

Hold Mode balances engine and electric power to hold high voltage battery charge for later use. This is the default mode when in Sport is to provide consistent boost and recuperation.

The new Bentayga Hybrid is delivered with all of the required market specific cables, facilitating charging of the vehicle at the home or via industrial charge points at work or in public car parks. In addition to the standard equipment supplied customers can also choose a Bentley branded wallbox available as a no cost option* providing an attractive solution housing the charge unit and neatly storing the charge cables.

The latest release of the My Bentley in-car and remote connected car services are available through the new Bentayga Hybrid. In-car services are now delivered through an embedded SIM, meaning they no longer require a data connection from a customer’s mobile device.

Remote services – subject to regional availability – are accessible through the My Bentley app and are further improved, including the technology levels and range of features. Four specific features for the new Bentayga Hybrid can be found in the convenient features and are as follows:

MY CAR STATISTICS – which provides an overview of vehicle data. You can view the time and date of recent trips as well as last trip distance, average speed, travel time and average fuel/electric consumption.

MY BATTERY CHARGE – allows you to remotely initiate vehicle charging as long as your vehicle is plugged in. You can select the time you plan to leave and the charging system will calculate a rate of charging to achieve the highest level of charge in line with your departure.

MY CABIN COMFORT – lets you remotely heat or cool the cabin to an optimum temperature of 22°C ahead of your journey.

E-CHARGING – identifies the nearest charging point locations in the area or at a destination of your choice, allowing you to navigate to the most convenient location. You can filter the results by distance, bay availability and charging rate.

Bentley Research Proves Effectiveness of Bentayga Hybrid

As part of Bentley’s journey towards electrification and the recently announced Beyond100 strategy (delivering a product range composed entirely of plug-in hybrids or battery electric vehicles by 2026), a research activity has been undertaken to understand customer usage of the Bentayga Hybrid in detail.

Over 90 per cent of customers use their first generation Bentayga Hybrid on a daily basis or several times a week and nearly 100 per cent of customers use EV mode, with half of them consistently undertaking journeys of less than 30 miles.

In real world terms, this means that the majority of the journeys, whether office commuting or school runs, can be achieved predominantly whilst producing zero emissions.

New Bentayga Hybrid – Summary

The new Bentayga Hybrid builds upon the latest design and feature content offered by the newest iteration of the Bentayga product line.

Adopting the new Bentley family DNA, the exterior of the new Bentayga has a more modern and purposeful look, and concurrently the interior has been re-imagined and now contains a modernised, unparalleled combination of luxury materials and exquisite, intricate craftsmanship.

A next generation infotainment system is integrated seamlessly into the handcrafted, Bentley ‘wing’ dashboard design and features a 10.9-inch display screen with edge-to-edge graphics. The all-new digital display includes super high-resolution and dynamic graphics which are configurable to suit driver preferences.

The latest hardware and software bring all-new navigation with satellite maps, online search and other features. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard for the first time, alongside the existing wired system, along with Android Auto (market dependant). Rear seat occupants benefit from the introduction of a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet, similar to that introduced in the all-new Flying Spur.

Connectivity around the car has been significantly improved, with USB-C data ports and a wireless phone charger now standard. The new Bentayga range is now provided with an embedded SIM, as with the latest Continental GT models, meaning My Bentley connected car features no longer require customers to provide their own data connection. My Bentley in-car and remote services is a continually developing range of services available to customers through a dedicated app, available both on Apple iOS and Android mobile platforms.

The luxurious interior can be further enhanced with the application of dark tint diamond brushed aluminium trim for the first time in a Bentley, as well as two straight-grained veneers new to Bentayga: Koa and Crown Cut Walnut. Mulliner Driving Specification adds a new quilting design, and micro piping detailing is a new option for the seats.

Bentayga Adopts Bentley’s New Design Language

The exterior design of the new Bentayga range has been completely refreshed from the previous generation to create an even more stylish and purposeful car. Every panel at the front and rear of the car has been altered to give it a cleaner and more modern look.

JP Gregory, Head of Exterior Design at Bentley Motors, comments:

“We spent a long time examining how to improve the proportions and character of the car. New Bentayga is still instantly recognisable as a Bentley but now has a much greater road presence, a more self-confident looking SUV from whatever angle you look at the car. The prouder grill and higher, more focused elliptical headlights give a much more modern expression.”

At the front, a larger and more upright new matrix grille allows the Bentayga’s elegant bonnet to sweep down to the very edge of the chrome work. This gives the car a more dominant, upright profile and pushes the new elliptical LED matrix headlamps further apart, raising them 30 mm higher leading to a more muscular aesthetic. The new headlamps also include the marque’s now-signature cut crystal design, which makes them appear to sparkle even when not lit.

Perhaps the most dramatic design changes have been reserved for the rear of the car, where the new Bentayga range is radically different from its predecessor. In line with the Continental GT, it features elliptical tail lamps for the first time.

The lights feature within an all-new, full-width tailgate, resulting in a cleaner, more contemporary look. The licence plate has moved down into the bumper, allowing for prominent Bentley lettering above.

The dynamic new looks are further accentuated with a breadth of individualisation possibilities, including the contemporary urban appeal of the Blackline Specification that replaces all exterior chrome with black versions.

Craftsmanship Redesigned

The Bentayga’s fine handcrafted cabin has been reimagined for the new model. Already universally acclaimed as the benchmark for luxury SUV interiors, new Bentayga Hybrid now contains a modernised, unparalleled combination of luxury materials and exquisite, intricate craftsmanship.

Bentley designers have created an even more relaxing environment for passengers, wherever they travel. Among the major changes to Bentayga’s more contemporary interior are new door trims and steering wheel, plus a redesigned centre fascia and digital instrumentation cluster. These are complemented by new seats that further improve on the industry-recognised benchmark for seat comfort.

Two versatile seating configurations are available in the new Bentayga Hybrid. The standard five-seat benefits from an all-new seat frame, doubling the travel of the rear-seat recline angle, and the optional four-seat layout features two individual rear seats separated by a centre console.

The ergonomics of the four-seat configuration are further enhanced from a 30 mm increase in knee room in the upright seated position, with an improvement of almost 100 mm in the reclined position, helping to make luxury travel even more comfortable.

A new quilting design is included in Mulliner Driving Specification cars, while customers can choose from eight sustainably-sourced veneers including two straight grained options new to Bentayga – Koa and Crown Cut Walnut.

Information At The Press Of A Button

The new Bentayga range now has a fully digital driver’s information panel similar to the Continental GT and new Flying Spur. The display brings a contemporary look to the cockpit, can be customised to the driver’s requirements and features real-time lighting effects with elegant animations.

The standard Bentayga tachometer that displays engine speed is replaced with a dial showing when the car is operating in pure EV Drive, or engine speed if the combustion engine is operating for the Hybrid version. A battery status dial replaces the coolant temperature gauge.

Setting new standards in the sector for customer technology interfaces, the new Bentayga introduced a new, cutting-edge infotainment system. A bigger and brighter, high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen, with an anti-reflection and anti-glare coating and much improved touch functionality, now spans the entire width of the centre fascia for a more contemporary look.

The infotainment screen can display energy flow in each of the three E Modes, showing whether the vehicle is being powered by energy supplied by the battery, or the combustion engine – or whether energy is flowing back to the battery in order to charge it.

The Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Navigation system features free text, context-specific search entry, including an address or point of interest. Navigation is improved with a three-dimensional building display, satellite maps, content in the driver’s next generation Head-Up Display and several other useful features. The Head-Up Display can now project traffic information, street names and distance to destination too.

As well as the usual array of media sources, wireless Apple CarPlay is now standard in the new Bentayga range (in addition to the previous standard wired system), along with Android Auto for the first time in a Bentley. With a corresponding phone plugged in to one of the car’s USB-C sockets, the central infotainment screen mirrors the smartphone display.

Bentley has today announced details of the new Bentayga – the definitive luxury SUV, and the first car launched under Bentley’s Beyond100 business plan. With more than 20,000 Bentaygas handcrafted since the car’s launch – more than any of its competitors – the new Bentayga is set to build on an incredible success story to date.

A new exterior design adopts the Bentley design DNA now prevalent across the entire model range, giving Bentley the freshest and most modern product family of any luxury car company. Introducing the very latest onboard technology and an even more cosseting cabin, the new model is significantly revised both inside and out.

Combining the abilities of a performance grand tourer, a luxury limousine, a spacious family car and an off-roader, the new Bentayga follows its predecessor’s mantle of having the broadest brief of any car on sale today.

The car that established the luxury SUV sector has been enhanced to create the ultimate in power, luxury and usability. Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, England, the extraordinary new Bentayga builds further on the outstanding success of its predecessor.

Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, comments:

“From its moment of launch nearly five years ago, the Bentayga has been the very definition of the luxury SUV. Like the Continental GT, the Bentayga created an entirely new part of the market, and since we set the benchmark many others have joined the sector, but no other car can offer a breadth of ability to rival the Bentayga.

“With the new Bentayga, we’re repositioning the pinnacle of the luxury SUV segment to be even higher, even further away from the competition. We’ve listened to our customers and made improvements to the areas most important to them, and the new Bentayga is a thoroughly modern and beautiful extension of the original car’s abilities and achievements.”

New Bentayga – Summary

Key to the new Bentayga is its strikingly dynamic look, which draws inspiration from the marque’s new design language, introduced by the third-generation Continental GT and all-new Flying Spur. Together, the three cars form a new family that are more visually connected than ever before. The bold styling offers an imposing road presence, with every panel at the front of the car redesigned for a cleaner, modern look.

The larger, assertive matrix grille is now more upright, while new, intelligent LED matrix headlamp technology includes the signature Bentley design inspired by cut crystal glassware. A more aggressive front bumper emphasizes the performance characteristics of the car. Heated, wet-arm windscreen wipers are introduced for the first time, with 22 washer jets in each arm.

At the rear, the new Bentayga has undergone a major transformation, with a total redesign of the rear surfaces including a new full-width tailgate with new encapsulated lamps, while the licence plate has been moved down into the bumper for a cleaner appearance. Wide, split tailpipes leave no doubt that this is a powerful performance car. A 20 mm increase to the rear track width brings dynamic benefit and repositions the wheels in their arches to improve the car’s stance. The wheels themselves are a new design, unique to Bentayga.

The Bentayga’s highly praised interior has been significantly revised in the latest model. Among the major changes are a new centre fascia and steering wheel, new door trims and all-new seats – now available with ventilation in the rear of the five-seat cabin option. Passengers in the rear also enjoy significantly more space, with legroom increased by up to 100 mm depending on configuration.

A next-generation infotainment system is integrated seamlessly into the handcrafted, Bentley ‘wing’ dashboard design and features a 10.9-inch display screen with edge-to-edge graphics. The all-new digital display includes super high-resolution and dynamic graphics which are configurable to suit driver preferences.

The latest hardware and software bring all-new navigation with satellite maps, online search and other features. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard for the first time, alongside the existing wired system, along with Android Auto (market dependant). Rear seat occupants benefit from the introduction of a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet, similar to that introduced in the all-new Flying Spur.

Connectivity around the car has been significantly improved, with USB-C data ports and a wireless phone charger now standard. New Bentayga is now provided with an embedded SIM, as with the latest Continental GT models, meaning My Bentley connected car features no longer require customers to provide their own data connection. My Bentley in-car and remote services is a continually developing range of services available to customers through a dedicated app, available both on Apple iOS and Android mobile platforms.

The luxurious interior can be further enhanced with the application of dark tint diamond brushed aluminium trim for the first time in a Bentley, as well as two straight-grained veneers new to Bentayga: Koa and Crown Cut Walnut. Mulliner Driving Specification adds a new quilting design, and micro piping detailing is a new option for the seats.

The new model will initially be launched in Bentayga V8 guise offering supercar performance balanced with everyday usability, with the plug-in Hybrid and W12-powered Speed versions to follow this year. The V8’s 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged petrol engine develops an impressive 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft (770 Nm) of torque.

Chris Cole, Product Line Director for Bentayga, comments:

“With new Bentayga, our objective was relatively straightforward – to take the best and make it even better. To do this, we listened closely to our existing Bentayga customers, then addressed their comments to ensure the new model offers an even more complete, all-round proposition.

“New Bentayga reflects the truly sophisticated qualities and design make-up of other members of the Bentley family, such as the new Continental GT and all-new Flying Spur. It was already the pinnacle of the luxury SUV sector but now we have taken it even higher.”

Bentley Bentayga – Defining The Luxury SUV Sector

The original Bentayga defined a new sector when it was introduced in November 2015. It set the benchmark as the world’s first true luxury SUV and offered customers a Grand Touring experience that was unrestricted by terrain.

At launch, the Bentayga was the fastest, most powerful and most exclusive SUV in the world. The result of a £840 million investment programme, it created 1,500 jobs in the United Kingdom and ensured Bentley was the first luxury brand to offer an SUV.

Designed with arguably the broadest remit in automotive history, Bentayga had to offer the performance of a supercar, the ride comfort of a limousine, a semi-autonomous driving capability, a range of powertrain options, and off-road ability to rival the very best premium SUVs – whilst retaining the craftsmanship, luxury and quality of a Bentley.

With class-leading performance from a range of petrol, diesel and hybrid engines, Bentayga has gone on to win a string of major international awards. It has been a stunning success for Bentley and in 2019 accounted for 45 per cent of the company’s global sales.

Since its original launch, the segment created by the Bentayga has welcomed a number of new models from rival brands. Yet despite the arrival of these newcomers, Bentayga has continued to be the best-selling luxury SUV.

Alongside its sales performance, the Bentayga has been driven on every terrain imaginable across the planet – racing kite surfers on Danish beaches, crossing inhospitable deserts in Chile and Bolivia, trekking across Iceland, dune surfing in the Middle East, and setting a new SUV record at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. Special editions equipped for fly fishing, field sports and even falconry have been created and released, while Bentayga Speed remains the fastest SUV in the world with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h).

Bentley is now introducing the new Bentayga to reinforce its position as market leader. Close attention to feedback from original Bentayga owners – of which up to 70 percent were new to the brand – has prompted particular focus on the exterior presence, infotainment system and rear seat package, and the new model is set to raise the bar once again.

A New Exterior Design

The exterior design of the new Bentayga has been completely refreshed to create an even more stylish and purposeful car, showcasing Bentley’s new design language. Every panel at the front and rear of the car has been altered to give it a cleaner and more modern look – but with no change to the car’s coefficients of drag or lift.

JP Gregory, Head of Exterior Design at Bentley Motors, comments: “We spent a long time examining how to improve the proportions and character of the car. New Bentayga is still instantly recognisable as a Bentley but now has a much greater road presence.

“What we have achieved is a significant step forward. New Bentayga is a more self-confident looking SUV from whatever angle you look at the car. The prouder grill and higher, more focused elliptical headlights give a much more modern expression – a real statement of intent.”

A number of the intricate design details draw inspiration from the latest members of the Bentley family, including the third-generation Continental GT and the new Flying Spur limousine.

Key to these is the new matrix grille. Larger and more upright than before, it allows the Bentayga’s elegant bonnet to sweep down to the very edge of the chrome work. This gives the car a more dominant, upright profile and pushes the new LED matrix headlamps further apart, raising them 30 mm higher.

New elliptical headlamps are seen for the first time on a Bentley. They include the marque’s now-signature cut crystal design, which makes them appear to sparkle even when not lit. They now also illuminate with a contemporary wake-up sequence.

In profile, the muscularity of the design is clearly visible. A new, longer vent is positioned above the sculpted power line on the side of the front wing, while the lower door mouldings are also completely new, alongside discreet V8 badging.

A striking new 22-inch wheel design is available in two finishes, expanding the number of available wheel designs to five – all of which are unique to Bentley. The dynamic stance of the car has been improved by adjusting the lateral position of the wheels in the arches, reducing the horizontal space between surface of the wheel and the edge of the arch at all four corners.

Perhaps the most dramatic design changes have been reserved for the rear of the car, where the new Bentayga is radically different from its predecessor. In line with the Continental GT, it features elliptical tail lamps for the first time. The lattice pattern offers a unique jewellery-like appearance when illuminated, with a deep, three-dimensional glow. The lights also offer an animated ‘welcome’ feature with a sweeping direction indicator.

The lights feature within an all-new, full-width tailgate, resulting in a cleaner, more contemporary look. The licence plate has moved down into the bumper, allowing for prominent Bentley lettering above. Larger, oval-shaped split sport tailpipes echo the design of the rear lamps, while a new, longer roof spoiler gives new Bentayga a visually longer, more elegant profile and makes the whole car look more athletic.

Two new colours are also added to the already extensive Bentayga palette – Viridian, a dark shade of metallic green based on the colour of the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car, and Patina – a luxury-focused mid-tone off-white.

The dynamic new looks are further accentuated with a breadth of individualisation possibilities, including the contemporary urban appeal of the Blackline Specification that replaces all exterior chrome with black versions.

A Unique Cabin Reimagined

The Bentayga’s fine handcrafted cabin has been reimagined for the new model. Already universally acclaimed as the benchmark for luxury SUV interiors, new Bentayga now contains a modernised, unparalleled combination of luxury materials and exquisite, intricate craftsmanship.

Bentley designers have created an even more relaxing environment for passengers, wherever they travel. Among the major changes to Bentayga’s more contemporary interior are new door trims and steering wheel, plus a redesigned centre fascia and digital instrumentation cluster. These are complemented by new seats that further improve on the industry-recognised benchmark for seat comfort.

Darren Day, Head of Interior Design at Bentley Motors, said: “The interior of Bentayga has always been highly admired for its exceptional build quality, relaxing atmosphere and luxurious ambience.

“Alongside from the more obvious changes to the centre console, seats and door trims, it’s the little features customers may not notice at first that add up to make the difference in new Bentayga. It might be the new, horizontal grab handle in the door, or the unique seat stitching – each one emphasising how the design team has gone the extra mile. New Bentayga will be a voyage of discovery for our customers.”

A new centre fascia houses the latest-generation infotainment screen, enhancing the visual appeal and practicality of the class-leading Bentayga and sat within the famed Bentley ‘wings’ design ethos across the dashboard.

The central pair of traditional ‘bullseye’ centre vents have been replaced by a sculptured single vent with a flowing chrome bezel, that sits above the main infotainment screen and integrates the Breitling clock into its form. A long pocket along the side of the centre console carries smaller items, such as a mobile phone, while a wireless inductive phone charger with signal booster is situated directly in front of the gear lever.

Three versatile seating configurations are available in new Bentayga. Apart from the standard five-seat, an optional four-seat layout features two individual rear seats separated by a centre console. A three-row, seven-seat configuration offers the ultimate in practicality and flexibility.

The five-seat Bentayga benefits from an all-new seat frame, which doubles the travel of the rear-seat recline angle. All the seats now have a more sculpted shape, especially around the shoulder area. New foam and cover designs are standard, while Contrast Stitching and Hand Cross Stitching deliver extra design detail. Seat micro piping is also available for the first time on Bentayga. The five-seat configuration now also has the option of rear-seat ventilation, previously available only on the four-seat cabin.

The four-seat Bentayga benefits from a 30 mm increase in knee room in the upright seated position, with an improvement of almost 100 mm in the reclined position, helping to make luxury travel even more comfortable.

A new quilting design is included in Mulliner Driving Specification cars, while customers can choose from eight sustainably-sourced veneers including two straight grained options new to Bentayga – Koa and Crown Cut Walnut.

Unique to new Bentayga, a stunning, dark tint diamond brushed aluminium finish trim is available as an option in a Bentley for the first time. Evoking the Bentley matrix grille design, this exquisite finish is produced via an intricate process of brushing the aluminium precisely, from multiple directions, to achieve a contemporary three-dimensional effect.

Cutting-edge Infotainment

Setting new standards in the sector for customer technology interfaces, the new Bentayga introduces a new, cutting-edge infotainment system. A bigger and brighter, high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen, with an anti-reflection and anti-glare coating and much improved touch functionality, now spans the entire width of the centre fascia for a more contemporary look.

Content in the primary window can be selected either via hard keys beneath the screen, or from the main menu screen. A customisable dashboard can also be set up to show three favourites, such as phone, navigation or media.

The advanced navigation system features free text, context-specific search entry, including an address or point of interest. Navigation is improved with a three-dimensional building display, satellite maps, content in the driver’s next generation Head-Up Display and several other useful features. The Head-Up Display can now project traffic information, street and names and distance to destination too.

As well as the usual array of media sources, wireless Apple CarPlay is now standard in the new Bentayga (in addition to the previous standard wired system), along with Android Auto for the first time in a Bentley. With a corresponding phone plugged in to one of the car’s USB-C sockets, the central infotainment screen mirrors the smartphone display.

The new Bentayga now has a fully digital driver’s information panel similar to the Continental GT and new Flying Spur. The display brings a contemporary look to the cockpit, can be customised to the driver’s requirements and features real-time lighting effects with elegant animations.

The high-resolution screen can be viewed in either Classic or Expanded format. In Classic, the display shows the traditional two-dial design of speedometer and tachometer. In Expanded, the right dial is replaced with an area for maps and media information.

The latest release of the My Bentley in-car and remote connected car services are available through the New Bentayga. In-car services now being delivered through an embedded SIM, as with the latest Continental GT, meaning online services no longer require a data connection from a customer’s mobile device.

Essential features including real time traffic information and over-the-air map updates will be available to all customers in Bentley connected car markets. New connected features such as online music, green traffic light prediction, and local hazard information will become available depending on market.

Remote services – subject to regional availability – are accessible through the My Bentley app and are further improved, including the technology levels and range of features our customers now come to expect – from ‘find my car’ and ‘lock my car’, through to car status and statistics – including integration with other functions such as the park heater where fitted.

Luxuriously Equipped

New Bentayga is characterised by the introduction of a wealth of new, innovative and technologically advanced features that take the onboard experience to a higher level.

Two levels of audio system are offered in new Bentayga. The Bentley Signature Audio is now fitted as standard, offering exceptional quality by delivering 590 W of power through 12 speakers. The optional Naim for Bentley system delivers 1,780 W of power via no less than 20 speakers including active bass speakers under both front seats, with super-tweeters located in each A and B-pillar for higher frequencies. Unmatched in the automotive sector, Naim for Bentley audio also offers eight listening modes, ranging from Digital Media to Classic. The Naim for Bentley speaker grilles are redesigned and now include an illuminated Naim badge.

Onboard air ionisers emit negatively charged particles from the central air conditioning vents, enhancing cabin air purity and customer wellness. These create a static charge around pollutants such as dust or allergens in the air, which in turn cause them to stick to the nearest surface.  The result is to remove such contaminants from the air that the customer breathes.

Rear seat passengers in the new Bentayga enjoy a technology upgrade with a new, larger Touch Screen Remote control tablet, similar to that introduced in the all-new Flying Spur. The five-inch display shows more contemporary graphics and has extra processing power through an onboard quad-core processor and 1 GB of RAM. The unit can control a range of functions, from rear seat heating and massage, to the media system and navigation, to mood lighting and window blinds.

New Bentayga has a full suite of driver assistance systems and the very latest headlamp technology. This includes three automatic modes for low beam and a matrix system, which allows the customer to drive continuously on high beam without blinding other road users.

Each matrix headlamp contains 82 powerful LEDs to improve functionality and road safety. They ingeniously allow the pool of light to be continuously shaped by automatically switching off certain LEDs to ‘box out’ other road users.

The three adaptive headlamp settings include Town mode, which operates below 30 mph and projects a short but wide beam, making it perfect for urban areas. Country mode is for travel between 30 and 60 mph and lifts the beam to a narrower field of light. Motorway mode further lifts the beam and intensifies the light to improve visibility.

Visibility and convenience are further aided by new wet arm windscreen wipers, which include an array of 22 heated washer jets in each arm. The system means no distracting spray and dramatically improves the cleaning of the glass.

New Bentayga continues to offer all the key features that made the original model such a hit, ranging from the practicality of a hands-free powered tailgate and refrigerated bottle cooler, to the safety-focused City Specification Pack and rear view camera.

Performance & Efficiency

New Bentayga is powered by Bentley’s proven 4.0-litre, 32-valve dual twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine, which combines immense power with impressive fuel economy. Mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the V8 offers supercar performance, developing 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft (770 Nm) of torque, resulting in a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds (100 km/h in 4.5 seconds).

The class-leading performance of the new Bentayga V8 is complemented by a range of 397 miles (639 km), with CO₂ emissions of 302 g/km. This refined efficiency (21.2 mpg / 13.3 l/100 km combined) is partly due to the ability of the engine to de-activate four of its eight cylinders in suitable conditions, without compromising the drive.

Bentley Dynamic Ride – the world’s first electric active roll control technology – has been further enhanced in new Bentayga by a 20 mm track increase at the rear, reducing steering effort and improving response linearity.  Bentley Dynamic Ride instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, comfort and handling.

New Bentayga offers the widest range of on and off-road drive settings of any SUV courtesy of Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Mode and the optional All-Terrain Specification. Up to eight modes – four on and four off-road – are available, allowing drivers to select the perfect dynamic set-up for any surface or road condition at the turn of a dial.

Later, new Bentayga will be offered as an efficient Hybrid, the luxury sector’s first true plug-in hybrid. Benefiting from its introduction in the previous generation model, the Hybrid will be Bentley’s most efficient model ever and is the company’s first step towards electrification.

There will also be a performance-focused Speed model, with even more purposeful styling. The Speed is the pinnacle of the Bentayga range and will be powered by Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine.

For further details and ordering information, please contact your Bentley specialist at Bentley of Houston.

Bentley of Houston has received the first of our all-new Bentley Bentayga Hybrid.

With its seamless combination of electric power and turbocharged V6 petrol engine, the Bentayga Hybrid offers a unique spread of abilities. It’s capable of zero-emissions electric-only motoring for up to 16 miles and can be either charged overnight at home or in just 2.5 hours at a rapid charging point. With CO2 emissions of just 124g/km* (199 g/mile), it also delivers the exhilarating performance Bentley has made its own, with the combination of internal combustion engine and electric motor generating huge reserves of power and typical Bentley levels of torque.    

The new Bentayga Hybrid can be distinguished by its Hybrid badging to the sides and rear, chrome grille and twin quad tailpipes. The standard selection of five hide colours includes the recently launched Cricket Ball, and the standard specification veneer is Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus. A more extensive range of options and accessories can be chosen.    

Bentayga Hybrid combines Bentley’s grand touring pedigree on the open road with the serenity and refinement of EV power in urban driving. This is a compelling proposition for the ‘new luxury’ audience; all the benefits of hybrid and EV motoring without any compromises in performance, luxury or usability. 

As well as the usual choice of Bentley driving modes (Sport, Bentley, Comfort and Custom) the Bentayga Hybrid owner will enjoy a choice of three different hybrid driving modes. EV mode, as the name implies, uses only electric power. With a high voltage 348V twin-string battery producing 13kWh of usable energy, the result is a compelling combination of near-silence and impressive performance. An intelligent accelerator pedal and a unique rev counter with an EV segment before zero rpm enables the driver to anticipate the precise point at which the petrol engine will seamlessly cut in.

The second mode, Hybrid Mode, is anticipated to be the choice of most customers, most of the time. This mode makes intelligent use of both petrol and electric power sources to maximise vehicle efficiency and range. Full throttle will still summon up the two combined power sources for truly exhilarating performance. A final mode, Hold, conserves the electric energy.

Bentley has ensured that the ownership experience is as smooth as the Bentayga Hybrid itself. No new driving techniques need be mastered, the interplay between modes is seamless and the smoothness and silence of the drivetrain needs to be experienced to be believed. Battery charging, cabin heating and cooling can all be controlled remotely via the MyBentley smartphone app.

To learn more or to schedule your test drive of the new Bentayga Hybrid please call 713-850-1530 or email our concierge.

TAILORED TO THE FINAL STITCH: THE BENTLEY MULLINER BACALAR

• Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is the most bespoke Bentley ever made
• Six example specifications created by Bentley Design Team showcase a possible range of customization – but customer choice is limitless
• Each of the 12 cars produced to be totally unique
• Customers to co-create Bacalar with the Bentley Mulliner Team
• ‘Design your own Bacalar’ competition opens  

As the first product in Bentley Mulliner’s new Coachbuilt portfolio, the new Bacalar affords its 12 customers even greater opportunity to express their personal tastes in the form of the ultimate open-air Grand Tourer. While work on the new car is paused until Bentley’s Crewe headquarters reopens, the process of developing the unique, bespoke specification of each example can begin.

“Design your own Bacalar Competition”

Sharing not one exterior body panel with any other Bentley model, the Bacalar is a true statement of master craftsmanship, with ultra-bespoke interior finishes being limited only by the imagination of customers

The style of each of the 12 Bacalar examples will be uniquely specified in collaboration with individual customers and the Bentley Mulliner team. Never before seen paint options, exterior treatments, interior finishes and materials are the essence of what makes the Bacalar a genuine coach-built car.

All aspects of Bacalar have been exquisitely designed in such detail that it will require time for owners to uncover each and every detail that form a complete Bacalar.

To showcase a variety of possible themes and options, Bentley Mulliner has created six example Bacalar specifications, illustrating some of the characters and styles the Bacalar is able to represent.

Maria Mulder, Head of Colour and Trim at Bentley, comments:

“The six example specifications we have created each have their own personality and purpose, but what they share in common is that only Bacalar can reflect this level of personalization and attention to detail.”

“Regardless of your personal style, whether it be to spec your Bacalar with a bold Yellow Flame exterior paint synthesized with rice husk ash, or a more subtle Moss Green that reflects the car’s heritage, or to develop your own artisan piping, or co-create a unique fabric blend, the Bacalar gives you these opportunities”.

A newly-developed color pigment, synthetically manufactured with the use of rice husk ask to add a metallic quality, intensifies the drama, form and contours of the Bacalar’s hand-crafted exterior, which can be used to create an unlimited number of exterior paint colors.

Creating an individual artisan piping will be part of every Bacalar ownership experience. This piping can be designed and customized to feature unique patterns, color combinations and personal embossed effects, such as a customer’s signature or special, individual customer motifs.

Co-creating a fully bespoke fabric blend using centuries-old methods in collaboration with a traditional British textile mill presents yet another unique opportunity to customize Bacalar’s interior finish.

The Clerkenwell

“The Clerkenwell” specification typifies the spirit of the Brooklands racetrack where early Bentleys competed, and encapsulates a modern, effortless style accentuated by British racing heritage. The name refers to the Central London borough of Clerkenwell, home to a collection of the city’s oldest architecture, as well as some of its finest creative minds.

Focusing on the classic contrast of dark green and browns, Moss Green exterior paint is paired with Cumbrian Green and Golden Oak hides, contrasted with stitching in Saddle thread and the use of Cheltenham Tweed. The veneer is a new concept – Honey Larch – providing a further contrast to the interior. Exterior brightware is in Dark Bronze Glass, carrying the color theme out of the cabin and linking the interior and exterior palettes.

The Menlo

Taking risks and pushing the limits of what’s possible with an attitude that will change the world encapsulates the spirit of “The Menlo” – named after Menlo Park, Palo Alto, California, where many of the greatest entrepreneurs gather at leading technology companies.

The bold and unmistakable color of Cobalt runs throughout The Menlo, defining the car’s exterior finish as well as its interior atmosphere. Contrasting the subtlety of a Beluga hide with accents of Cyber Yellow truly highlights the interior’s definition and surfaces. The ultra-modern textile of Anthracite Alcantara is complemented by a Piano Black veneer. 

The Fulton

An eye for detail discovers the extraordinary in all it sees, designed for those in the know and creating a more esoteric theme. Downtown Chicago’s Fulton River District provides inspiration for this specification.

The deep and evocative exterior finish of Lacquer Red is exemplified by light, revealing all of the Bacalar’s true design in detail. 5,000 year old Open Pore Riverwood alongside Piano Black veneer embellishes the interior with a sense of history and depth, coupled with hides of perforated Mulliner Beluga and Hotspur accents. Gloss black brightware and Beluga Alcantara textile adds to the understated theme.

The Greenwich

Heritage style meets contemporary minimalism in a car inspired by bespoke tailoring and the English countryside – London’s Greenwich borough is therefore the natural association; ever-evolving, but never forgetting its roots.

The new and bespoke exterior paint of New Grey captures all that the Greenwich represents; classic yet evolving. Cricket Ball hide is the distinctive touch of British, flattered by a Grey Tweed textile. Open Poor Riverwood in parallel with High Gloss Riverwood once again contrasts the new with the old. Details of matt black brightware and Camel contrast thread finish off the interior theme.

The Brickell

 “The Brickell” refers to Miami’s financial district, defined by its high-rise buildings, luxury apartments, art galleries and boutique stores.

The Brickell therefore is a brave statement of intent, most notable by its new concept Atom Silver paint contrasting with strong exterior and interior accents in concept Hyperactive. Brunel hide adds to the confidence of this car’s specification, alongside the exclusiveness of Open Pore Riverwood and Piano Black veneer. Grey Tweed textile adds a touch of class and sophistication.

The Randwick (demonstration car)

This is a car handcrafted to inspire awe, provoke conversation and seek out like-minded company, which is why “The Randwick” was selected as Bentley’s demonstration car. The glimmering rays of sunshine found in Sydney’s glamorous Randwick suburb epitomize the car’s tone.

Yellow Flame paint enlightens the cars exterior, exemplified by Gloss Black highlights, showing off the Bacalar’s exterior in even greater detail. This theme continues through to the interior, where Beluga hide and Grey Tweed textile is contrasted by bright Khamun accents. Dark Bronze decorates brightware with an exquisite and unique finish, never before seen on a Bentley. The classic combination of Open Pore Riverwood and Piano Black veneers complete the interior.

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Bentley Mulliner has revealed the all-new Bacalar at the home of Bentley in Crewe, England this morning. The rarest two-door Bentley of the modern era, and the ultimate expression of two-seat, open-air luxury, this definitive Grand Tourer spearheads a return to coachbuilding by Bentley Mulliner – the oldest coachbuilder in the world.

Just 12 examples of this striking, limited-edition model are being created, guaranteeing rarity and exclusivity, and offering supreme luxury and breath-taking performance. Bacalar looks to the future of bespoke luxury motoring – each model will be handcrafted in Bentley Mulliner’s workshop in Crewe, according to the individual customer’s personal tastes.

This exceptionally rare car is appropriately named after Laguna Bacalar in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, a lake renowned for its breath-taking natural beauty, continuing Bentley’s strategy of naming cars after remarkable landmarks which started with Bentayga in 2015.

Bacalar has been brought to life by Bentley Mulliner, reviving its specialism in providing rare coach-built cars to only a few discerning customers. A roofless Barchetta design with all-new and highly muscular coachwork, embracing a myriad of options and materials, each Bacalar will be truly unique, the result of direct interaction between the Bentley Mulliner design team and the individual customer.

The most exclusive two-door Bentley of the modern era launches a new Bentley Mulliner operation and forms part of a new strategy for the world’s oldest coachbuilder that will see the division offer three different portfolios: Classic, Collections and Coachbuilt.

Bentley Mulliner has an illustrious history and can proudly trace its roots back to the 1500s when the company’s original focus was customizing luxurious, horse-drawn carriages. The remarkable Bacalar is, therefore, the culmination of almost 500 years of expertise and heritage in the art of vehicle design.

Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, comments:

“The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is our ultimate expression of an open-top, luxury grand tourer, and of the immense capabilities of our team in Crewe.

“In Bacalar, we have created a fully bespoke Bentley, orientated towards a two-seat open-top experience, and carrying a number of the forward-thinking elements of future luxury, first heralded in our EXP100GT as part of our Centenary celebrations last year.

“Bacalar is a rare and remarkable Bentley, and whilst clearly defined, will be an extraordinary and collaborative experience for just twelve discerning people who will now co-create, collect, drive and treasure one of twelve being built.

“Our customers are as excited as we are about Bacalar, as it brings our team and discerning enthusiasts together, to create the finest bespoke, hand-built cars, and push the boundaries of our imagination and capabilities.”

A masterpiece of craftsmanship, the Bacalar is a seamless fusion of materials with an intelligent curation of technology. It draws on design DNA from the beautifully sculpted, award-winning EXP 100 GT which was recently crowned ‘Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year’ at the prestigious French Festival Automobile International and ‘Concept Car of the Year’ by GQ magazine.

A statement of purpose for the future, Bacalar now propels Bentley into a new century of extraordinary, as the design team has envisaged the most dynamically sculpted model to date. The dramatic, tapered cowls at the rear hark back to the Barchetta sports cars of old, whilst underlining the promise of a dynamic, driver-focussed adventure in a cosseting, cocooned environment.

Pure in line and execution, the distinctive, wraparound cockpit flows from a new, steeply angled center console seamlessly into the dashboard and doors. These then wrap rearwards towards the semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the two seats.

Sustainable, ethically-sourced materials previewed in the EXP 100 GT concept car last year have now become reality in the Bacalar – just eight months after first being previewed. These include paint containing ash from rice husks, which provides a sustainable way of delivering a rich metallic finish, natural British wool, and 5,000-year-old Riverwood sourced from the ancient Fenlands of East Anglia.

The Bacalar features an enhanced version of Bentley’s peerless 6.0-liter, W12 TSI engine. The most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world, it produces 659 PS (650 bhp) and 900 Nm (667 lb.ft) of torque.

An advanced Active All-Wheel-Drive System varies the torque split between front and rear wheels. It allows the Bacalar to use rear-wheel drive as much as possible during normal driving for optimum efficiency and dynamic performance. The drivetrain is at the heart of the Bacalar, creating the ultimate open-air, two-seat luxury Grand Tourer available in the world today.

All examples of the exquisite Bentley Mulliner Bacalar have already been allocated to customers from around the world.

Bentley Mulliner Returns To Coachbuilding

With the Bacalar, customers will again have the ability to work closely with a team of specialist designers to enhance their vehicles with a selection of unique materials and specially curated options. The Bacalar will be the first – but other new bespoke Bentleys will follow as part of the Bentley Mulliner Coachbuilt portfolio – one of three new divisions of the Bentley Mulliner organization.

The Bentley Mulliner Classic offering was introduced last year with the announcement that Bentley’s 1929 Team Blower is to be reborn with a new build of 12 supercharged 4½-litre examples of the iconic car. These models, each individually handcrafted by a team of specialists from Bentley Mulliner, will form the world’s first pre-war race car continuation series. This subdivision of Mulliner also completed an immaculate restoration of the 1939 Bentley Corniche last year.

The third arm of the business – Bentley Mulliner Collections – will continue to offer customers luxury-focused derivatives of the core Bentley range, such as the new Continental GT Mulliner Convertible, as well as the opportunity to personalize their new Bentley.  An expansive number of options is available across the full line-up of current production cars – from unique color-matched paint, hide and thread combinations, to bespoke feature content.

Tracy Crump, Bentley Mulliner’s Head of Commercial Operations, comments:

“While Bentley’s motto is ‘Be Extraordinary’, at Bentley Mulliner we look to take it one step further, ‘Beyond Extraordinary’. With the new Bacalar we have been able to do exactly that, providing a select number of customers with the opportunity to express their personal taste in a truly remarkable grand tourer. Meanwhile, Bentley Mulliner Classic will breathe new life into the most iconic cars from our past, while our Collections team continues their work to offer a bespoke service to each and every Bentley customer.”

Bacalar – A Dynamically-Sculpted Design For The Future

The new Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is a genuine ‘roofless’ Barchetta – a luxury, two-seat, open-air performance car, the likes of which has never been seen before. Handcrafted to the individual customer’s personal tastes, Bacalar is the ultimate expression of an open-top Grand Tourer: a spirited GT combining traditional handcrafted techniques with the latest cutting-edge technology.

The Bacalar shares no body panel with any other car in the Bentley model line-up and derives inspiration from the dramatic EXP 100 GT concept car conceived to mark the company’s centenary last year. Indeed, it only shares one exterior component with a Continental GT – the door handle, simply because it contains the keyless entry system.

Stefan Sielaff, Bentley’s Director of Design, comments:

“You can clearly see echoes of the EXP 100 GT in the Bacalar, as well as the influence of the past. Bentley has a rich history of open-cockpit cars – the design of the Birkin Blower Bentley of the late 1920s was also an inspiration. We needed to push the boundaries as far as possible – customers were asking what Bentley’s take on a more expressive-looking car at this price point would look like. We were also tasked with starting to deliver on Bentley’s promise to use sustainable materials. Within less than a year of revealing our future-focused concept, we have already delivered on this promise.”

The rear clamshell and top deck of the Bacalar are crafted from lightweight aluminum, while the doors and wings are carbon fiber. Combined with the use of three-dimensional printing, it has allowed designers to create an even more distinctive car.

The Bacalar sits on extended haunches, with the rear track 20 mm wider than a Continental GT, to provide a more muscular, sporting stance. They house bespoke, 22-inch tri-finish wheels with dramatic depth and contour on the road. The unique front and rear horizontal lights add the distinctive, dynamic character that was first seen on the EXP 100 GT.

Instead of a traditional badge, Bentley designers went the extra mile to find a special way to identify the car. Uniquely, the Bacalar name appears on the rear panel, ‘hidden’ behind the lacquer of sustainable rice husk paint, with the capital ‘A’s influencing the contours of the lower bumper area.

The exterior look of each model will be completed in collaboration with individual customers, who are able to further personalize their car, choosing from rare paint options, exterior treatments, and design themes. The Bacalar represents a return to the exciting early years of Bentley, allowing owners to help shape the car of their dreams.

A Unique Wraparound Cockpit

Inside the luxurious cabin, Bentley craftspeople have created a cockpit-like no other. The architecture of the Bacalar has allowed Bentley Mulliner designers to seize the opportunity to create a theme that not only blends the interior and exterior together but also emphasizes the two-seater character with a ‘wraparound’ cockpit design.

Pure in line and surface execution, the wraparound design flows from a steeply angled center console into the dashboard, before sweeping into the door panels. These then wrap towards a uniquely styled, semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the seats.

This ingenious space is purposely designed for bespoke Schedoni fitted luggage, the Italian company that has designed luxury luggage for the automotive industry for almost 140 years. Created exclusively for the Bacalar, the optional luggage perfectly matches the trim and materials of the cabin. These two luggage ‘pods’ flow from the interior into the exterior, enveloping the seats and creating a true two-seater cabin.

Uniquely designed details and features in the cabin emphasize the coach-built character of the car, with an almost infinite number of ways for customers to express their personal taste and commission a unique interior.

Every detail has been uniquely designed. A new, knurled pattern was created for the iconic ‘bullseye’ vents – a pattern that was repeated around the interior on areas like the steering wheel controls, media, and climate controls and even the intricate speaker frets. Each element has a fine, Dark Bronze detail to further enhance the finish, with Midnight Black Titanium detailing.

The dark, anodized titanium finish on the main controls and metallic dark bronze on the iconic Bulls-eye air vents have been used to highlight further details.

The interior can be finished in any number of ways, with each car co-created and commissioned in conjunction with the Bentley Mulliner team. Every car will be individually specified and finished using any of the many Bentley colors and materials available.

The finest Beluga leather is carefully sewn together with Bentley’s heritage semi-gloss leather and natural wool to create a dark ‘tone-on-tone’ character. For the first demonstration car, the use of Bentley Mulliner’s Khamun accent leather highlights the wraparound cabin theme and matches the new and unique Yellow Flame exterior paintwork perfectly.

Every element that falls to hand has been specifically designed for the Bacalar. A new D-shaped steering wheel features Alcantara inserts, with a contrast accent top marker. The gear-shifter is also finished in Alcantara with Dark Bronze detailing. Unique leather strap door and seat releases, unique digital instrumentation, and a unique key design enhance the luxurious cabin still further.

At the heart of the center console is the now-famous Bentley Rotating Display. This digital MMI display has been elegantly designed by Bentley with a customer-configurable home screen. The system involves 40 moving parts and revolves the Riverwood veneer when the engine is started to reveal the high-resolution touchscreen.

Three configurable windows are able to display the driver’s preferred functions, such as telephone, media and navigation. The interface is designed to operate like a modern smartphone, with menus that are structured and simple to follow. The third side of the Bentley Rotating Display presents three, elegant analog dials that display outside temperature, a compass and chronometer – providing an alternative to the touchscreen when the driver wants to digitally detox.

Each car also features a unique clock face with individual one-of-12 badging.

Owning a Bacalar is the start of a journey of discovery for the owner. Every element has been carefully and meticulously designed with a depth so great that over the course of time, each customer will discover new and interesting details.

From the use of precious inlays and unique finishes to the driver controls to the 148,199 individual stitches needed to embroider the unique Bacalar quilt on each seat, owners will find details and parts not seen before on a Bentley.

Sustainable Craftsmanship And Ethically-Sourced Materials

Bentley has entered into collaborative relationships with carefully selected industry experts to create the new Bacalar. Each one uses sustainable and innovative techniques that exemplify the best craftsmanship that the world has to offer, in many cases fine-tuned over centuries, and using ethically-sourced materials.

A focal point of the cabin is the wraparound dashboard cut from rare Riverwood, sustainable wood from naturally fallen trees that has been preserved for 5,000 years in peat bogs, lakes and rivers found in the Fenlands of East Anglia, England.

This exquisite wood was chosen for its striking black aesthetic, the result of lying untouched in wet earth for thousands of years. The wood has been air-dried in a controlled environment over a long period of time to prevent damage and conserve its unique, natural characteristics. The straight grain enhances the Bacalar’s sweeping interior contours, giving it genuine soul and drama.

Once veneered, the dashboard is literally sliced in two, creating an upper and lower element divided by a 3mm chrome strip. The upper Riverwood is finished as open pore – a semi-matt finish that shows off the veneer’s grain and color.

The lower panels are a high gloss finish but with a modern twist to the traditional process. The Bacalar’s lower dashboard blends seamlessly from veneer into a high gloss piano black, further underlining the unique and bespoke finishes that are available. Because the Bacalar has no roof, this stunning marquetry is clearly visible from outside the car.

Bentley Mulliner has also collaborated with a traditional British textile mill to produce bespoke natural wool cloth akin to a fine tailor’s suit. Bentley Mulliner has embraced the expertise and knowledge of these centuries-old methods to create an exclusive and unique woven cloth especially for the Bacalar, and customers will have the option to co-create their own bespoke fabric blend.

This traditionally-produced textile is used in the seat inserts, seat backs and the side of the head restraints. Following the interior styling lines, it also flows from the side of the center console and lower instrument panel into the doors.

Further promoting sustainable craftsmanship and supporting a unique industry, the luxury overmats are precision woven on traditional Wilton looms in England using the finest natural yarns.  These Wilton-woven pure wool deep pile carpets are hand-carved for the footwell and rear luggage compartment, following the embroidered pattern found on the seats.

Thanks to a partnership with another local supplier, based in the nearby Peak District, the Bacalar also offers customers the rare opportunity to create individual artisan piping, chosen to enhance the dynamic styling lines of the seat architecture. This piping can be designed and customized to feature unique patterns, color combinations and personal embossed effects, such as a customer’s signature or special, individual customer motifs.

Even the paintwork on the Bacalar has been specially chosen for its sustainable characteristics. The pigment reflects an eye-catching transition of color that intensifies the drama, form and contours of the sculpted exterior in different lights.

The pigment is synthetically-manufactured silicon dioxide platelet coated with iron oxide. This synthetic process uses rice husk ash – a by-product from the rice industry – to create 90 percent pure silicon dioxide, thereby reducing rice husk landfill waste.

Each Bacalar will be hand-crafted in Mulliner’s dedicated workshop at the Bentley factory in Crewe – the world’s first certified carbon neutral factory for luxury car production.

A Unique Driving Experience

The Bentley Bacalar combines bespoke, hand-crafted luxury with state-of-the-art technology to guarantee an extraordinary driving experience.

With all-new coachwork brought to life by Bentley Mulliner, at the heart of the Bacalar is Bentley’s renowned 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine mated to a technically-advanced drivetrain.

The Bacalar’s dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission offers faster, more efficient gear changes. An adaptive chassis uses Bentley’s intelligent, 48-volt Dynamic Ride System to ensure a responsive ride and exceptional handling and refinement in all conditions.

The air suspension system controls ride comfort and lateral roll, cushioning passengers from excessive movement, as well as making the Bacalar feel effortlessly precise.

The Legend Of Mulliner

The legend of Mulliner is woven into the very fabric of Bentley. The tradition of bespoke craftsmanship has been passed down from generation to generation since the 1500s, when Mulliner was founded as a saddler.

In the 1760s, the Mulliner family business refocused on coachbuilding and rose to prominence when it was commissioned to build and maintain carriages for the Royal Mail postal service. With the arrival of the motor car, the company stepped away from horse-drawn carriages and focussed on coachbuilding for mechanical propulsion.

The then independent Mulliner crafted a bespoke, 3-litre, two-seater Bentley for the 1923 Olympia Show in London, creating a bond between the two companies that would last for decades. Mulliner bodied over 240 Bentley chassis in the 1920s alone and became renowned as the very best of the new coachbuilding firms.

Perhaps the most famous was Mulliner’s design for the 1952 R-Type Continental, still considered one of the most beautiful cars of all time. The fastest, four-seat sports car of the era, the R-Type’s iconic beauty continues to influence design today through the Bentley Continental GT.

Mulliner cemented its partnership with Bentley in 1959 by becoming part of the business. It later moved into the old engineering experimental department at Bentley headquarters in Crewe and has remained there ever since. Today, around 40 employees, ranging from specialists with over 40 years of Mulliner experience to apprentices learning the skills that have been honed over decades of manufacturing, work for the company.