Bentley raises its game with reveal of handcrafted, super-exclusive Bacalar
For the top end of the automotive industry, in a place only the most well-heeled of society are able to access, the latest trend is offering vehicles with a level of exclusivity that requires pockets deeper than the Marianas Trench.
A bevy of high-end manufacturers have been producing their own limited-run models, like Bugatti with the Divo, Chiron Pur Sport or Centodiecvi; Aston Martin with its V12 Speedster; the Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet Collection; or McLaren with the likes of the Speedtail or Elva.
Well, it seems as though Bentley saw the actions of its British compatriots and thought it could get in on the action too, with the luxury marque producing its own ultra-exclusive and seriously desirable special edition.
Enter the Mulliner Bacalar. Limited to just 12 units worldwide, the new open-top tourer from Bentley must surely be one of the most sought-after collector’s items for automotive enthusiasts with more money than they know what to do with.
Considering the production numbers of some of the aforementioned models like the Elva (399), V12 Speedster (88) and Divo (40), the rarity of the Mulliner Bacalar becomes clearer.
Touted by Bentley as its most bespoke and exclusive car of the modern era, each example of the Bacalar will be handcrafted in accordance with each owner’s taste, which will be overseen by Bentley’s Mulliner bespoke division.
Like other Bentleys of its ilk, the Bacalar is powered by the stonking 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12, which scores an extra 18kW of oomph over the Continental GT, with final outputs standing at an imposing 485kW/900Nm.
Power is fed to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and while no official performance figures have been given, a zero-to-100km/h sprint equal to or better than the Continental GT Convertible’s 3.8 seconds seems likely.
If the Bacalar looks familiar, it’s because its basic design has been lifted from last year’s EXP 100 GT concept car, however it is otherwise unique when compared to other Bentley models, sharing no body panels with any other model apart from its door handles, which have been taken from the Continental GT.
Carbon-fibre and lightweight aluminium have been used to construct the Bacalar, ensuring its weight is kept down compared to some of its portlier stablemates.
With its lack of a roof, Bentley calls the Bacalar a Barchetta, or “a luxury, two-seat, open-air performance car” that chief executive Adrian Hallmark has called the “ultimate expression of an open-top, luxury grand tourer”.
“Bacalar is a rare and remarkable Bentley, and whilst clearly defined, will be an extraordinary and collaborative experience for just 12 discerning people who will now co-create, collect, drive and treasure one of 12 being built”, he said.
With a higher window line, more steeply raked windscreen and sleeker silhouette, the Bacalar has a meaner and stealthier look than its stablemates, with the headlights, lower air intake ducts and bonnet largely carried over from the EXP 100 GT.
The only main difference from the front is the grille, with the Bacalar sporting a black mesh grille instead of chrome.
From the rear, the Bacalar features flat, thin LED tail-lights, signature dual chrome exhaust tips, a subtle rear diffuser and an integrated lip spoiler.
Riding on 22-inch tri-finish alloys, the Bacalar has a rear track measuring 20mm wider than the Continental GT, while ride comfort is ensured with the use of Bentley’s Dynamic Ride System adaptive chassis, which uses a 48-volt on-board electrical system to make constant suspension updates.
Steeping inside the luxurious Bacalar cabin, occupants are greeted by a unique interior layout headlined by a custom wraparound cockpit with a steeply raked centre console that flows upwards into the dashboard and around to the door panels.
Extra cabin space is included behind the seats with a semi-enclosed storage compartment that has been designed specifically to fit custom Schedoni fitted luggage cases, which have been tailored to suit the Bacalar and are available as an optional extra.
The exact interior specification and finish will vary from customer to customer due to the extensive customisation available, however all 12 examples will move with the times by introducing a number of sustainable materials.
Paint finishes will contain rice husk ash in order to produce a metallic finish, the wood used for the wraparound dashboard is made exclusively of fallen wood, and the yarn for the carpets and cloth surfaces are also naturally produced.
Spec borrowed from other Bentley models includes a D-shaped steering wheel with Alcantara leather inserts, a digital instrument cluster, Bentley Rotating Display, configurable infotainment system and a unique analogue clock face.
It is still unknown if any of the 12 Bacalars will be making their way to Australia, however if they are, it’s unlikely they will leave the Point Pipers or Tooraks of upper-crust suburbia.
Bentley’s Mulliner bespoke customisation service has been used to enhance a number of its models, including the Flying Spur sedan and Bentayga SUV.
However none of those can hold a candle to the Bacalar, one of the rarest and most unique models in Bentley’s long and storied history.
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