Bentley Batur, currently testing
The limited edition Bentley Batur coupe is undergoing testing ahead of its scheduled mid-2023 delivery launch.
The two development vehicles have undergone more than 120 individual tests, totaling 58 weeks of testing for the two vehicles, Bentley said in a press release. These tests will evaluate high-speed stability, aerodynamics, cabin noise, durability, and quality of materials.
The first development vehicle, Car 0, began its testing program with a 1,553-mile drive across Europe from Germany through Italy, France, and Spain. It will then undergo seven weeks of durability testing at Bentley's proving grounds, followed by another 4,660 miles of real-world driving.
In addition, according to Bentley, Car 0 will be exposed to 600 hours of direct sunlight over a four-week period, the equivalent of five years in the Arizona desert; Batur is using several new materials, including a highly sustainable natural fiber alternative to carbon fiber, and this part of the testing program allows engineers to know the long-term durability.
Although it is a development vehicle and will not be delivered to customers, Car 0 is finished inside and out to match the production car, including a custom paint color called Purple Sector. The only indication that it is a test car is a small white arrow affixed to the exterior so that engineers can track any shifts in the body panels.
In the Batur, Bentley's familiar twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 is tuned to produce 730 hp and 740 lb-ft of torque. The added power comes from new air intakes, a revised turbocharger, and an improved intercooler. The stability control has also been recalibrated. According to Bentley, all of these changes were validated after more than 100 weeks of development.
Unveiled at the 2022 Monterey Car Week in August, the Batur bridges Bentley's combustion engine past with the electric vehicles of the future. It is based on the Bentley Continental GT Speed framework, but its styling heralds a future electric model scheduled for launch in 2025.
Only 18 Baturs will be built for customers, and despite a price tag of $1.95 million per car, all production slots have already been filled. This testing program may seem like a lot of effort for such a small number of vehicles, but it is a mandate for any new car. For example, Bugatti, another Volkswagen Group brand, recently completed a similar development process for its Centodieci hypercar, limited to just 10 units.
