A new ultra-exclusive coachbuilt Bentley
is here, named after the Laguna Bacalar in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Created
by the company’s Mulliner coach-building division, the Bacalar boasts daring
looks, inspired by the 2019 EXP 100 GT Concept.
The rounded headlights and thin LED DRLs
flank the new grille that has become smaller compared to the show car. The
overall shape of the bumper carries over, albeit with bigger side creases and
more generous lower air intakes, while the hood features a similar design and
the front wheel arches are less bulky. It sits on 22-inch wheels and has a 20
mm wider rear track than the Continental GT.
With an Aston Martin vibe, the back end
looks more toned down compared to the EXP 100 GT. The bumper is different and
incorporates a diffuser that leaves room for the rectangular tailpipes, because
unlike the study, which had an electric powertrain with four motors that
developed a combined output of 1,340 horsepower and 1,491 Nm of
torque, the Bacalar packs an internal combustion engine.
Let’s take a look at the elegant cockpit, with an open-top
view of the sky above and rollover protection behind the seats. This is the
company’s second two-seater since 1930 and is jammed with everything expected
from a 21st century Grand Tourer, including a digital instrument cluster,
rotating display inspired by the Continental GT and lots of buttons surrounding
the gearshift lever that are used to control pretty much every function of the
car, from the HVAC to the traction control.
The wraparound dashboard is cut from
5,000-year old Riverwood, a sustainable material from naturally fallen trees, and
each seat features 148,199 individual stitches to create the unique quilt. The
clock, positioned between the middle air vents, and a lot of luxury
appointments, including two-tone leather, chrome strip and glossy black
accents, as well as the ‘Bacalar’ logo embedded into the steering wheel and
seatbacks, complete the unique styling. The car is also offered with a bespoke
pair of travel cases that are trimmed to match the interior details, all of
which are said to be “sustainably sourced”.
Lying at the heart of the Bacalar is the
6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 gasoline engine, matched to an eight-speed dual-clutch
automatic transmission and all-wheel drive that varies the torque split between
the two axles. It produces 659 PS, 24 PS more
than the Continental GT, and 900 Nm of torque. The car also
features the 48-volt Dynamic Ride System that offers “a responsive ride and
exceptional handling and refinement in all conditions”, according to Bentley.
Production of the Bacalar is limited to
just 12 units and all of them have already been spoken for.
