Created by Mulliner, Bentley’s in house bespoke division and the longest standing coachbuilder in the world, the Batur Convertible follows the exquisitely hand-crafted Bacalar barchetta and Batur coupe.

The Batur Convertible furthers the innovative design DNA introduced by its coupe sibling that will ultimately guide the design of Bentley’s future
cars.

The Batur Convertible retains the most powerful version of Bentley’s iconic W12, with a hand-assembled six-litre twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine that has served as the beating heart of many Bentleys over the past two decades.

Putting down 750hp and 1,000Nm of torque through a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic gearbox, this will be the last time this engine layout makes an appearance in any Bentley.

The architecture of the Batur Convertible has allowed Mulliner’s designers to seize the opportunity to create a theme that not only blends the design of the Bacalar and Batur but includes the usability of a convertible.

The designers also chose to highlight the two-seater character with a ‘wraparound’ cockpit inspired by the design of the Bacalar.

The ‘airbridge’ behind the seats and tapered cowls at the rear hark back to the barchetta sports cars of old, whilst underlining the promise of a dynamic, driver-focused adventure in a cosseting, cocooned environment.

The airbridge and tapered cowls are not only aesthetic, but also provide a semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the two front seats.

The soft-convertible roof is constructed with a combination of insulation material, sealing system refinements and acoustic treatments, and can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds while travelling at speeds of up to 50 km/h, transforming the car from a luxurious coupe into an open-top Grand
Tourer at the touch of a button.

Mulliner’s in-house design team will help co-create every Batur Convertible with its customer, working together through a specially created Mulliner visualiser that allows any part of the car to be customised in colour and surface finish.

Endless samples of unique materials bring texture to the process, and the resulting designs will be truly individual and created by the customer, limited only by their imagination.

The pictured engineering development car, Batur Convertible Car #0, has had the same level of attention to detail as a customer’s own specification.

The exterior paintwork is a bespoke colour, Vermillion Gloss over Vermillion Satin Duo tone, and the bodywork is underscored by front splitters,
side skirts and rear diffuser in high gloss carbon fibre.

A sports exhaust is installed to provide a soundtrack in keeping with the level of performance. The entire exhaust system is in titanium, while the finishers are 3D-printed in titanium.

The front grille features the main matrix finished in Gloss Dark Titanium, accented with contrast chevrons in a horizontal ombré pattern that flows from Beluga in the centre and lighten towards the outside in Vermillion Gloss.

The “endless bonnet” line is finished in Gloss Dark Titanium paint, as are the 22-inch wheels, with the spokes in Gloss and Satin Black Titanium with Vermillion Gloss accents.

In the cabin, the highly exclusive option of 3D printed rose gold includes key driver touch points, such as the Bentley Drive Mode Selector, encircling the start/stop button and used to change chassis modes, and complementing the front grille.

Rose gold can also applied to Bentley’s iconic Organ Stop vent controls in the dashboard, as well as a rose gold insert marker on the steering wheel itself.

This is all done in collaboration between Bentley Mulliner and expert goldsmiths based in the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, England, where jewellery has been made for centuries, to craft the unique parts.

Photo Credits: Bentley

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Automobili Lamborghini presented a limited edition ‘All Terrain’ Ad Personam special series of the Huracan Sterrato at Italy’s prestigious Milan Design Week.

The 12 cars, with exclusive liveries developed by Lamborghini’s Ad Personam studio in conjunction with its Centro Stile, are inspired by four different terrains to which the Huracan Sterrato especially lends its talents: snow, sand, off-beat tracks, and the earthiness of arid deserts.

Presented by Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, the All-Terrain versions made their world premiere to over 200 guests at Segheria of Tanja Solci, Milan with a specially-created setting in which to present the provocative and particular personalities of the special series.

Inspired by the disruptive tendencies of nature, each car is seen against a backdrop of the specific environment by which its livery is influenced such as rocks, desert and forests.

“The Huracan Sterrato disrupted the super sports car landscape from the moment of its launch,” said Stephan Winkelmann.

“The All-Terrain Sterrato celebrates its distinctive, multi-layer personality, always as much a super sports car as an explorer of new roads. Like nature, the Sterrato cannot be confined and will always find a way to carve innovative routes.”

Each of the four Sterrato versions features a matt camouflage paint scheme created by Lamborghini’s Ad Personam studio: reflecting the natural environments in which the Sterrato excels, the All-Terrain editions adopt the colours of the landscapes from which they take their inspiration.

NEVE (snow) takes the sophisticated ice-cool hues of the tundra; SABBIA (sand) features the neutral tones of the warm desert and green cacti, evocative of dunes and oases.

The BOSCO (green track) evokes the trees, mosses and leaves of forest paths, while the TERRA (gravel) recalls the warm ground and sands of moorland environments and arid landscapes under powerful sunsets.

The unique exteriors are finished with a roof and upper bonnet cover in matt black, together with roof rails and cross bars.

The lower part of the car is also painted matt black with a lower band in an accent colour dedicated to each of the four versions, set off by Morus 19-inch matt black forged rims, complementary calliper colours and additional lights.

Complementary internal Ad Personam specifications feature dark chrome and carbon twill with Alcantara, lasered Sterrato dedicated graphics and an Ad Personam plate denoting the special edition while recalling the external livery.

“The All-Terrain Sterrato is a true Lamborghini in its dynamic abilities and the way it surprises by delivering the unexpected,” said Design Director Mitja Borkert.

“The Sterrato concept developed by our Centro Stile has been elevated together with our Ad Personam department to emphasize the different dimensions of the Sterrato’s multi-faceted character and talents, and truly emphasizes its fun-to-drive, go-anywhere personality.”

The 12 cars have already been sold to selected clients in the three main commercial areas of USA and Latin America (ALA), Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific and Australia (APAC) within the total production volume of 1499 for which deliveries commenced in 2023.

Each EMEA, as well as the other areas, will receive the 4 unique special series cars that will be the unique ones in their countries.

“The Sterrato concept proved itself from the moment it was first unveiled, endorsed not only by awards won, media and customers acclaim, but from its resounding commercial success with all units immediately sold out,” said Chief Commercial and Marketing and Officer, Federico Foschini.

“Limited series that demonstrate Lamborghini’s competence in personalization through our Ad Personam studio is an important part of our business model, with Milan Design Week the perfect forum to present this capsule edition.”

The Sterrato’s 5.2-liter V10 engine delivers a maximum power output of 610hp and 560Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, combined with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and electronically controlled all-wheel drive with rear mechanical self-locking differential.

Its wider tracks and increased ride height help maximize the super sports car’s fun-to-drive personality on both the road and away from the tarmac. Designed to offer optimum performance on loose surfaces, it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 260km/h.

Photo Credits: Lamborghini

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This is the new 6th-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon.

What, six generations already? Yes, like that old friend who’s always been around; always reliable, always classy.

Now, more than ever, owning an E-Class is like a silent announcement to the world “I’m a person of great wealth.” And why wouldn’t it be? The latest E200 has a price tag to match – roughly 400 grand at the time of writing.

For that kind of money, you’re buying a piece of elegance, a dash of plush comfort, and a whole lot of solid executive vibes, all wrapped up in a package that’s been jazzed up for the digital age.

But it’s not all smooth sailing for the E-Class. It’s got some tough competition, mainly from the BMW 5 Series, and to a lesser extent, the older Audi A6.

You might have thought some of these rivals had vanished from the showrooms, but they’re still around. It’s just that their sales figures aren’t as pretty as they used to be, and it feels like they’re just waiting for the curtain to fall. Darn those tall-riding SUVs.

So, what does the tri-pointed stalwart bring to the table?

Modern Chic, Traditional Roots

Mercedes-Benz has always designed the E-Class with a regal ensemble, and the new boy follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. The taillamps stretch across the rear, and they’ve even thrown in lighting elements shaped like Mercedes’ iconic three-pointed star. Talk about making an entrance.

Up front, the headlights give a subtle nod to the days when the E-Class was rocking four round lamps. It looks especially classy with the ‘Exclusive’ trim pieces fitted to it; the old-school styled grille and famed bonnet emblem define it as quintessentially Mercedes.

Yes, the new E-Class has inadvertently borrowed some style cues from Mercedes’ electric EQ lineup, and those cars are about as exciting to look at as watching paint dry. But, the E-Class manages to pull it off with a certain understated elegance.

It’s got a presence that’s hard to ignore, neatly positioned between the C-Class and S-Class in the visual pecking order.

Tech Galore

Stepping into the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class feels like walking into your local tech joint, with more glass and pixels than you can shake a stick at. A 12.3-inch panel for driving info, a 14.4-inch touchscreen for infotainment, and another 12.3-inch screen just for the front passenger to fiddle with. It’s all very flashy, in that unmistakable Mercedes way.

The silver finish on some elements feels a tad tacky, and once you turn off the ignition, you’re left with a smudgy fingerprint art exhibit on the massive glass panel. There’s nowhere to rest your fingers while you’re prodding the screen either, so maybe keep a cloth handy.

Mercedes has dubbed this setup the “Superscreen,” and while it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, it’s a little excessive for what a car needs. Your front passenger can pick their own entertainment, thanks to the car’s 5G connectivity, but really, it’s not doing anything an iPad couldn’t do – oily finger smudges included. 

Thankfully, Mercedes has made the interface slightly more user-friendly. Everything’s just a couple of taps away, and it’s pretty easy to get the hang of where everything is. The new tile-based design means if you’re savvy with a smartphone, you’ll feel right at home with the Mercedes system.

And the features do not disappoint. Integrated 5G conference calling, power-operated vents, real-time navigation overlays, ambient lighting that pulses to your music, and even Angry Birds (yes, really). At night, the interior looks like a disco, and I’m pretty confident no one else can top Mercedes in the ambient lighting department for now.

There’s even a selfie camera on the dashboard for capturing your road trip memories. Let the grandkids take charge of this one.

But with all these distractions, it kind of defeats the purpose of a car that’s supposed to make driving less stressful. Especially the haptic steering wheel touchpads; they’re supposed to replace buttons, but they either ignore your commands or do the exact opposite of what you want. They’re infuriating and can sour your whole driving experience.

The interior has also been decluttered, with a sleek band replacing the old quartet of vents and a lower centre console. Sounds great on paper, but controls like HVAC and media become unnecessary aforementioned screen-prodding manoeuvres. 

It’s a shame the tech can detract one away from the otherwise luxurious interior; the driving position is spot on, and the seats are so comfy you’ll wish you could take them into your living room. Visibility is decent, and Mercedes more than makes up for it with a plethora of cameras and sensors at your disposal.

There are still some cheap plastics, but overall, the cabin looks and feels premium. The open-pore wood and leather dashboard are a classy touch.

If you’re usually chauffeured around in the back, you’ll appreciate the extra space. The new E-Class is bigger in all dimensions but still manages to feel roomy in the back despite the sloping roofline.

The boot remains the same size as the previous generation at 540 litres, more than enough for your weekly shop or your weekend golf essentials.

Sublime Comfort

While the BMW 5 Series might have the edge in terms of driving engagement, Mercedes knows where its strengths lie – comfort.

And let’s face it, in a country where the pace of life is competitive and unforgiving, who wouldn’t want to be ensconced in a cocoon of comfort to wash all of those troubles away?

With 204bhp and 320Nm under the hood, the E200-spec E-Class has enough grunt to get you to your important business meetings in sublime comfort. There’s even a mild hybrid system that adds a little extra oomph to your acceleration.

The 9G-Tronic gearbox shifts smoothly, and the brakes are easy to modulate. The steering might not give you a play-by-play of what’s happening under the wheels, but it’s faithful to your commands – a good sign for when AMG gets its hands on this baby.

Ride-wise, the E-Class is a serene zen garden. Body roll is kept in check, and it smooths out bumps and potholes with grace. Even local roadworks can’t ruffle its feathers. 

The suspension is like a magic carpet ride, balancing comfort and sportiness. Sure, it might not handle corners like its rivals, but for a sedan, it’s got a certain je ne sais quoi that makes it engaging to drive.

Would a bigger engine make sense in the E-Class? Possibly, as the 4-cylinder garnered a real-world fuel economy of just 10.2km/litre during my drive. All that weight bogs the car down, and the engine has to be coaxed more in order to get going.

Business-Class Priority

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always marched to the beat of its own drum, and this new one still excels at being a leader in premium comfort.

But here’s the bigger pickle: what’s the E-Class’s raison d’être these days? The S-Class has carved out its niche as the chariot of choice for high-flying execs racing against the clock.

That means that the aspirational allure that once defined the E-Class seems to have faded into the background. It’s as if Mercedes is just going through the motions, hesitant to shake things up for this long-standing favourite.

What we’re left with is a car that struggles to carve out a distinct identity for itself, content with being a showcase for an array of cabin technology.

It’s a competent package, no doubt, but the question looms: who’s actually in the market for an E-Class these days, when everyone wants the latest and greatest SUV?

But, to those who still crave the sleek comfort of an executive saloon, the E-Class is a fine example – as long as you can tune out the tech-induced noise.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon

Engine: 1,999cc 4-cylinder in-line 16-valve, turbocharged
Power: 150kW (201bhp)
Torque: 320Nm
Gearbox: 9G-Tronic (A)
0-100km/h: 7.5 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 240km/h
Fuel Economy: 14.3km/L (claimed)

Price: POA (AMG Line), S$378,888 (Avantgarde), S$388,888 (Exclusive), all with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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Total solar eclipses have long been events rich with stories from oral traditions behind them. From a dragon or snake in the sky eating the Sun to angry quarrelling Gods inflicting damage on each other, the occasion where Sol is fully obscured by Luna leaving a ring of fire visible to those in the umbra is certainly an experience of a lifetime.

And so, Rolls-Royce has drawn inspiration from the spectacle, mystery and drama of a total solar eclipse to herald the coming of the equally rare Black Badge Ghost Ekleipsis Private Collection. Limited to just 25 units worldwide, the launch of these highly bespoke vehicles coincided with the annular solar eclipse that was visible in parts of the Western Hemisphere on 14 October.

“With Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis, we draw inspiration from a total solar eclipse: a seldom-seen and spellbinding phenomenon that reflects the rarity and beauty of Rolls-Royce Private Collections.”

“In capturing the magic of this celestial alignment, our Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople have once again elevated contemporary craftsmanship, with a landmark series of exquisite details that project the marque’s culture of ambition and excellence.”

“We are exceptionally proud to present these motor cars to 25 of our most significant clients around the world – it is these individuals who inspire greatness within our brand, and who drive us to create ever more bold and richly detailed expressions of modern luxury,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

The outside of the Black Badge Ghost Ekleipsis is bathed in an ethereal hue called Golden Darkness, which takes after the light that’s cast during a total solar eclipse. This bespoke finish incorporates powdered copper pigment, which appears darker until it catches the light when it produces a rich and dramatic iridescence.

Mandarin adorns the inserts below the Pantheon Grille and brake callipers, reminiscent of the intense pulses of sunlight witnessed as the eclipse progresses.

Mandarin is also used for the hand-painted coachline, which is supposed to represent the transition from sunlight to darkness as Chandra approaches to block Surya.

On the inside, the Black Badge Ghost Ekleipsis features a fully Bespoke Starlight Headliner with a solar eclipse-mimicking special animation. As the coach doors close and the engine is started, the ‘stars’ in the Starlight Headliner darken and a mesmerising sequence begins, replicating the totality of the solar eclipse, when the dark silhouette of the Moon completely obscures the bright light of the Sun.

A circle of 940 ‘stars’ is formed, representing the bright corona of light around the lunar silhouette. This is surrounded by a further 192 illuminating ‘stars’, recreating the otherworldly spectacle of stars visible in the sky during daylight, which occurs only during a total solar eclipse.

The animation remains visible for precisely seven minutes and 31 seconds, which is the longest possible duration of a total solar eclipse. Once this time has elapsed, the full constellation of stars in the night sky is restored.

Needless to say, this highly technical feature required Rolls-Royce to spend a year of painstaking development, in which the Bespoke Collective produced three complete prototypes to perfect the design and sequencing of the ‘stars’.

It’s not just the headliner that gets the eclipse treatment, but the illuminated fascia and “diamond ring” timepiece too.

The illuminated fascia of the Black Badge Ghost Ekleipsis is adorned with 1,846 laser-etched ‘stars’ in a symbolic timeline of a total eclipse. A single Bespoke designer had sole responsibility for adjusting the individual size and position of each ‘star’ to create the mesmeric effect; a delicate and exacting process that took over 100 hours to complete.

The composition culminates in a Bespoke timepiece, which incorporates a brilliant-cut 0.5-carat diamond, recalling the “Diamond Ring” effect, when a single, dazzling point of light can be seen on Selene’s outline in the split seconds just before and immediately after it obscures Helios. This also represents the first time in Rolls-Royce’s history that a gemstone has been integrated into the clock’s bezel.

The Black Badge Ghost Ekleipsis also features what Rolls-Royce calls a “Panoramic Sunset Interior.” At the totality of a solar eclipse, there is a moment when a golden twilight surrounds those viewing the eclipse, giving the illusion of a 360-degree sunset. The beauty of this rarely observed phenomenon is captured in bi-coloured seats with a unique perforated artwork, made of over 200,000 individual perforations.

The bold Mandarin leather is tinted in a black shade that is then perforated to reveal the brighter contrasting colour beneath, creating a visual effect with extraordinary depth and subtlety.

Bespoke finishing touches include illuminated treadplates, umbrellas with Mandarin piping concealed in the coach doors, and a unique indoor motor car cover bearing the Private Collection’s wordmark.

If total solar eclipses catch your fancy and you’re thinking of springing for one, well, you can’t. Rolls-Royce says all 25 examples of the Black Badge Ghost Ekleipsis Private Collection have been allocated to clients around the world.

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