Crewe, March 3, 2020 Mulliner, Bentley’s personal bespoke arm, has created the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar. As the world’s most prestigious coachbuilder, Bentley Motors Mulliner has crafted this rare two-door Bentley of this era, and once again launched a new body customization work.
The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar model is limited to 12 units, which organically integrates rarity, exclusiveness, luxury style and strong power. With this masterpiece, the Bentley brand looks forward to the future of personalization of ultra-luxury cars. Each Mulliner Bacalar is custom built by specialists from the Mulliner division at Bentley Motors’ headquarters in Crewe, UK, according to the specific needs of each customer.
The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is named after the beautiful Laguna Bacalar Lake on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The Bentley brand’s method of naming models after scenic landmarks began in 2015, naming Bentayga models after Bentayga.
The Mulliner Bacalar showcases the expertise of Bentley Motors Personalization in creating rare bespoke cars for Bentley customers. The “Barchetta” roofless design incorporates new sculptural body lines and offers a range of exclusive features and materials to choose from. Bentley’s Mulliner design team works closely with each client to create a unique and rare car.
With the launch of this contemporary bespoke two-door, Mulliner, Bentley’s personal bespoke division, has unveiled a new strategy. This world-renowned coachbuilder will cover three business areas: Classic models (Classic), Mulliner models (Collections), and body customization (Coachbuilt).
The glorious history of Bentley’s Mulliner division can be traced back to the 16th century, with its early core business focusing on bespoke luxury carriages. As such, the Mulliner Bacalar is a marvel of nearly 500 years of bespoke bodywork and a rich heritage.
Adrian Hallmark, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: “The Mulliner Bacalar is yet another example of the ultra-luxury sports touring car produced by the Bentley brand, and a reflection of the quality of the team at the factory at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, UK. of excellent skills.
“The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is a new bespoke two-seat Bentley designed to achieve exclusive, unbounded luxury travel. The car incorporates a series of forward-looking innovative concepts, and its design is inspired by the centenary of the Bentley brand The Bentley EXP 100 GT concept car revealed on the occasion.
“The limited-edition Bentley Mulliner Bacalar offers 12 discerning Bentley customers the opportunity to co-create and an extraordinary bespoke experience.
“Our customers look forward to the Mulliner Bacalar as much as we do. Together with fans of the Bentley brand, we will create exclusive, handcrafted cars and continue to create new possibilities in the field of automotive design and manufacturing.”
With superb craftsmanship, selected materials and advanced technology have been organically combined on the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar. The car’s design concept is derived from the elegant and award-winning Bentley EXP 100 GT concept car, which recently won the “Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year” at the French Festival Automobile International (French Festival Automobile International) Award, and was named “Concept Car of the Year” by GQ Magazine.
The Mulliner Bacalar model is based on a future-oriented design concept. The Bentley team has achieved a dynamic body shape with sculptural lines, aiming to propel the Bentley brand into a new journey into the next extraordinary century. The eye-catching rear of the car adopts tapered design lines, which are in line with the classic Barchetta sports car design, and then show the surging power of this model, creating a comfortable cockpit full of enveloping feeling for the driver.
The enveloping cockpit contains tough lines and refined finishes, and the new center console has an increased slope, presenting a coherent visual experience with the instrument panel and door panels. The luggage space is located behind the two seats, which forms a whole with the front row design.
The EXP 100 GT concept car released in July 2019 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bentley brand showcased a series of car making materials in line with the concept of sustainable development. It was used by Bentley artisans in the creation of the Mulliner Bacalar in just eight months. Among them, the Bentley brand uses rice husk ash to synthesize the body paint in a sustainable way to achieve a rich metal-like texture. In addition, the car also uses natural British wool, and natural dead trees from the Fenlands of East Anglia that have been sleeping in the river for more than 5,000 years.
The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is powered by Bentley’s enhanced 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine. This engine is the most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the history of the Bentley brand, with a maximum power of 659 horsepower and a peak torque of 900 Nm.
The car is also equipped with an advanced Active All-Wheel-Drive System (Active All-Wheel-Drive System), which can change the torque distribution between the front and rear axles. In normal driving, the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar relies primarily on rear-wheel drive to ensure excellent efficiency and dynamic performance. The transmission system is one of the core systems of the car, enabling this two-seater ultra-luxury sports touring car to provide customers with an exclusive unbounded grand tour experience.
The quota of 12 Bentley Mulliner Bacalar models has been fully allocated.
Mulliner, Bentley’s personalization arm, is working on body customization
The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar model gives Bentley customers the opportunity to work closely with a team of professional designers to enhance the exclusive characteristics of the car through a variety of selected materials and unique configurations. With the launch of the Mulliner Bacalar, Bentley Mulliner Coachbuilt becomes one of three business areas within the Mulliner division. The second business is led by the Bentley Mulliner Classic team. For example, in 2019, with the launch of 12 4½-liter Bentley Blower race car continuation models equipped with a supercharger, the Bentley Blower race car that came out in 1929 was reborn. Each continuation model is handcrafted by a dedicated team in the Mulliner division, paying homage to a pre-war racing legend. The business team also painstakingly restored a 1939 Bentley Corniche in 2019.
In addition, a third business team was responsible for creating the Bentley Mulliner models (Bentley Mulliner Collections). The division will continue to expand new possibilities for Bentley’s core car range, such as the recently released new Continental GT Mulliner Convertible. At the same time, this department is also committed to meeting other personalized customization needs of customers. All models of the Bentley brand offer customers a range of personalization options: from body paint, leather and stitching combinations, to bespoke configurations.
Tracy Crump, Head of Commercial Operations, Mulliner, Bentley’s personalization department, said: “Mulliner has inherited the Bentley brand spirit of ‘never say the best’, and on this basis, it has continued to ‘beyond the extraordinary’. In the process of crafting the Mulliner Bacalar models, We provide customers with the opportunity to express their own tastes and preferences, and create their own ultra-luxury sports touring vehicles. In addition, the Bentley Motors Mulliner Classic Team is committed to giving new life to the iconic classic models of the Bentley brand. At the same time , the Bentley Mulliner model team will continue to provide personalized customization services for Bentley customers.”
Bentley Mulliner Bacalar: Interpreting the concept of the future with a sculptural and dynamic design
A pure ‘roofless’ Barchetta, the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar combines luxury with performance in a two-seater, roofless design. Mulliner Bacalar models are handcrafted according to the individual needs of different customers, interpreting the new possibility of ultra-luxury two-seater convertible cars. This model organically integrates traditional skills and advanced technology, bringing the driver and passengers an unbounded grand tour.
The body panels of the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar have been redesigned, taking inspiration from the Bentley EXP 100 GT concept car. Mulliner Bacalar door handle components have been inherited from the new Continental GT, including the convenient keyless entry system.
Stefan Sielaff, Bentley Motors Design Director, said: “The Mulliner Bacalar not only incorporates the forward-looking concept of the EXP 100 GT concept car, but also inherits the century-old history of the Bentley brand. The Bentley brand has a long history of open cockpit design. Among them, Sir Birkin’s exclusive Blower model launched in the late 1920s is one example. We need to constantly break through tradition and unremitting innovation, and strive to bring customers more expressive models. In addition, we in the design process Always adhering to the concept of sustainable development. The Bentley brand has realized this commitment just a few months after announcing its vision for the future.”
The Mulliner Bacalar features lightweight aluminum for the rear panel and roof panel, and carbon fiber for the doors and fenders. Thanks to 3D printing technology, designers can create even more unique vehicles.
The car has a wider rear waist design, and the rear track is about 20 mm longer than the new Continental GT, achieving a more powerful and sporty appearance. The Mulliner Bacalar is fitted with bespoke 22-inch painted wheels that leave their own ruts on long road trips. The horizontal front and rear lights echo each other, not only adding a dynamic style, but also in line with the Bentley EXP 100 GT concept car.
Bentley’s design team looked for unique ways to give the car its own meaning based on the traditional logo pattern. It is worth mentioning that the word “Bacalar” is decorated on the rear panel, and the surface is sprayed with a paint surface made of rice husk ash. Among them, the design of the capital letter “A” echoes the edge lines of the lower bumper of the car body, forming exquisite details.
The exterior design of each Mulliner Bacalar is completed in collaboration with the respective client, who can choose their preferred rare paint finish, exterior finish and design style. The Mulliner Bacalar models offer customers the opportunity to experience the bespoke heritage of the Bentley brand and to participate in shaping the car of their dreams.
Unique wrap-around cockpit
Bentley artisans have created a unique cockpit for the luxurious interior of the Mulliner Bacalar. Mulliner designers took full advantage of the model’s structural features, not only integrating the interior and exterior, but also further demonstrating the unique style of the two-seater layout through the wrap-around cockpit design.
Harsh lines and refined finishes meet and blend, and the inclination of the center console increases to connect with the instrument panel and door panels, creating a unique enveloping cockpit atmosphere. The design is further extended to the rear cabin, and the semi-enclosed storage space for suitcases is located behind the seats.
An ingenious bespoke space has been specially designed to accommodate luxury luggage from Schedoni, the Italian brand that has been designing luggage for cars for nearly 140 years. The exclusive suitcase for the Mulliner Bacalar model inherits the interior design concept of the vehicle and uses the same craftsmanship and materials. Two refined suitcases blend the interior and exterior and wrap around the seats to create a true two-seater cockpit.
Unique design details and configurations demonstrate the exquisite body craftsmanship inherent in Mulliner Bacalar models, providing customers with many ways to express their personal taste and customize their exclusive interior space.
Every detail is unique. The Bentley brand’s iconic “bull’s-eye” air outlet has a new knurled pattern. This innovative detail is also used in other interior components, such as the control buttons on the steering wheel, the multimedia and climate control keys, and the sophisticated speaker controls. Each detail is further enhanced by exquisite Dark Bronze and Midnight Black Titanium trims.
The master controls feature a dark anodized titanium finish, and the iconic ‘bull’s-eye’ air vents are finished with metallic dark bronze trim, once again adding luster to the details.
The interior details can be customized in many ways, and each new car is jointly created by the customer and the Bentley Mulliner team. Customers can choose the desired configuration from a variety of exquisite colors and high-quality materials according to personal preferences.
In the cabin, fine Beluga leather is stitched together with Bentley’s traditional semi-gloss leather and natural wool to create a ‘tone-on-tone’ effect in dark tones. Exclusive to the wrap-around cockpit, Khamun leather, used by the Mulliner division, is complemented by a striking new Yellow Flame exterior paint colour.
Every detail in a Mulliner Bacalar model has been carefully thought out. The inside of the new “D”-shaped steering wheel is trimmed in Alcantara, and the upper center of the steering wheel is marked with a sharp contrasting color center line. The gear lever is also finished in Alcantara with dark bronze details. Unique leather doors, cockpit seats, digital instrumentation, and car key design all enhance the luxurious texture of the cockpit.
The central position of the center console is equipped with a “Bentley three-sided flip center control panel”. Among them, the MMI digital display is carefully designed with a customer-configurable home screen. The flip-panel system consists of 40 moving parts, and when the engine is started, the delicate panels, crafted from riverbed wood, switch to a high-resolution touchscreen.
Three configurable windows display functions selected by the driver and occupant, such as telephony, multimedia and navigation. The interface is designed like a smartphone, and the use process is simple and clear. The third panel of the “Bentley three-sided flip center control panel” is three exquisite analog dials, which respectively display the outside temperature, compass and timer, which can return the driver and passengers to a quiet and pure cockpit atmosphere.
Each Mulliner Bacalar also features a unique chronograph face design adorned with its own logo lettering.
Owning a Bentley Mulliner Bacalar can be an extraordinary journey of discovery. Every detail of the vehicle has been thoughtfully designed. Over time, customers will continue to discover brand new details.
From precious moldings, unique finishes and driver controls, to seat embroidered logo graphics with 148,199 intricate stitchings, Mulliner Bacalar models feature a range of details and components never before seen in a Bentley brand.
Ingenious craftsmanship and selected materials in line with the concept of sustainable development
The Bentley brand has joined hands with experts in different fields to create the new Mulliner Bacalar model. Each Mulliner Bacalar adopts innovative technology that conforms to the concept of sustainable development. The ingenuity and exquisite craftsmanship that distinguishes peers have gone through centuries of honing and precipitation, and the materials used are all obtained through sustainable and environmentally friendly methods.
The wrap-around cockpit dashboard is cut from precious riverbed wood, a sustainable timber source that falls naturally and has been found sleeping under rivers for more than 5,000 years in the East Anglia Moors, England.
The wood has a striking black grain, a natural feature developed over thousands of years in wetlands. In a tightly controlled environment, the wood undergoes an air-drying process to prevent damage and retain its unique natural properties. The straight grain of this wood echoes the contours of the interior of the Mulliner Bacalar models, creating a dynamic air.
The instrument panel is carefully finished in wood veneer and is divided into two opposite parts by a 3 mm wide chrome strip. The upper wood veneer has a natural open-pore texture and a semi-matte finish that brings out the original grain and color of the wood.
The underlying veneer surface is high-gloss, adding a modern touch to traditional craftsmanship. The lower fascia veneer of the Mulliner Bacalar model is fused with Piano Black, further interpreting the unique concept of customization. As a car without a roof, the elegant design of the Mulliner Bacalar is immediately apparent.
Bentley Motors’ Mulliner division has partnered with traditional British textile workshops to produce bespoke natural wool fabrics, similar to those used in haute couture garments. The Mulliner department designs textile fabrics for Mulliner Bacalar models based on its exquisite craftsmanship and centuries-old heritage. Customers can also work together to customize exclusive blended fabrics.
This traditionally produced fabric is used to upholster seat upholstery, seat backs and side supports of headrests. In addition, the fabric is used to create interior contours, adorn the sides of the center console and the lower fascia, before blending into the door trim.
To promote sustainable craftsmanship and support specific industries, Mulliner Bacalar models’ floor mats are artfully woven in England using the finest natural yarns. The pure wool dark suede floor mat is handcrafted for the driver and passengers and the rear compartment suitcase, and inherits the same embroidery pattern as the seat.
In addition, thanks to Bentley’s sincere cooperation with local suppliers in the Peak District of the United Kingdom, Mulliner Bacalar models also provide customers with the option of customizing exclusive hand-made trims, thereby enhancing the dynamic atmosphere of the seats. This trim can be designed and customized with unique patterns, color combinations, and personalized embossed patterns, such as the customer’s personal signature, or patterns with special meanings.
Mulliner Bacalar paintwork is made from sustainable materials. The distinctive lacquer finish provides striking color transitions, allowing the Mulliner Bacalar’s exterior to take on different shapes and contours in different light.
The finish is a synthesis of iron oxide and silica. The process utilizes rice husk ash, a by-product of the rice industry, and the synthetic product contains 90% pure silica, thus reducing the adverse environmental impact of rice husk landfills.
Each Mulliner Bacalar is handcrafted by the Mulliner Division at Bentley Motors’ headquarters in Crewe, UK. Bentley is the UK’s first carbon-neutral ultra-luxury car manufacturer.
A driving experience second to none
The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar organically integrates hand-crafted configuration and advanced technology to achieve an extraordinary driving experience that is second to none.
The car uses Mulliner’s new custom body, equipped with a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine, and is equipped with an advanced drivetrain.
Paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed gearbox, it brings a more agile and efficient shifting experience. The adaptive chassis is equipped with the 48-volt Dynamic Ride System (48-volt Dynamic Ride System), which can ensure rapid response and excellent handling in any road conditions.
The air suspension system controls the driving comfort and lateral roll force, reduces the movement of the driver and passengers during the driving process of the vehicle, and brings a precise driving experience.
The storied history of Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke bespoke division Mulliner has a long history with the Bentley brand. Mulliner was founded in the 16th century as a saddlery brand, and its exquisite custom craftsmanship has been passed down through hundreds of years to this day.
In the 1760s, the Mulliner family business refocused on carriage manufacturing, and gained fame by customizing and maintaining carriages for the Royal Mail. With the advent of the motor vehicle, Mulliner gradually exited the horse-drawn carriage business and began to concentrate on automobile bodywork.
Mulliner then customized a 3-litre two-seater Bentley for the Bentley brand and exhibited it at the Olympia Show in London in 1923. Since then, the two companies have established a partnership that has lasted for nearly a century. In the 1920s alone, Mulliner built the chassis for more than 240 Bentleys, becoming a preeminent coachbuilder.
Mulliner provided the bodywork for the Bentley Continental Type R launched in 1952, making it one of the most elegant Bentley cars to date. The Continental R-Type was one of the fastest four-seater sports cars of its time, and its timeless aesthetic laid the foundation for the contemporary Continental GT.
In 1959, Mulliner became the personalization department of Bentley Motors. The Mulliner division then opened a studio at Bentley Motors’ headquarters factory in Crewe, UK, where it has continued to operate. Today, the Mulliner division of Bentley Motors has about 40 employees, including professional craftsmen who have worked in Mulliner for more than 40 years, and apprentices who are learning the art of carmaking.
