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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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presented four magnificent ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions to mark the Lunar New Year, which begins on 10 February 2024.

Designed and hand-crafted at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, these Bespoke creations – three Phantom Extended models and one Cullinan – are a celebration of Chinese culture through Bespoke artistry.

The dragon is an enduring and international symbol of power, success and prosperity.

For the ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions, the Rolls‑Royce Bespoke Collective created a modern, minimalistic expression of the dragon never previously seen in a Rolls-Royce, while remaining faithful and respectful to the original form.

“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars leads the luxury sector in creating products inspired by international cultures and traditions, incorporating designs, motifs, materials and colours that resonate with and have real personal meaning for our clients. These Bespoke creations, inspired by the Year of the Dragon in 2024, celebrate the international reach and influence of Chinese culture, which transcends national boundaries.”

“Hence, these magnificent motor cars are destined for clients based across three continents. These creations are both a powerful expression of our respect for Chinese culture, and a contemporary, minimalist statement in line with trends we see among luxury consumers worldwide,” said Jonathan Simms, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Three of the ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions include fascia panels adorned with highly contemporary artworks reinterpreting the dragon form.

Individually hand-painted by one dedicated Rolls-Royce artist, each is a distinctive exploration of the colour red, which represents prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture. Each of the three artworks is the result of over two weeks of detailed work.

To create this complex, three-dimensional motif, multiple hues of red were used and applied on top of each other in four individual stages.

First, the initial outline of the symbol was painted using a ‘feathering’ technique to create a flame effect, as if the dragon were suspended in fire, reflecting its festive, celebratory nature.

This was followed by three further layers in darker shades of red, in which more details and depth were added. Each of these colours was individually blended from different proportions of red, white, yellow and brown: this development process alone took three days to complete.

The four layers combine to create a 3D effect so realistic that the artwork appears to have been carved into the fascia.

To achieve such fine detailing, lacquer was meticulously applied after each layer of paint. Lacquering is a delicate process, especially on a white background, since any imperfection like a stray particle of red paint, for example, would become instantly visible.

Every completed layer was spotlessly cleaned and finely sanded before each lacquering stage.

The dragon motif extends discreetly throughout the car’s interior. It is elegantly depicted in Phoenix Red stitching on the headrests of each of the four seats, providing a bold contrast with the seat leather, which is presented in either Black or White.

To create a dynamic appearance of the dragon, giving the impression of continuous movement, the artisans had to precisely align the stitch direction and adjust stitch density. Strategic variation in stitch angles along the tail enhanced the overall flow, creating a sense of fluidity in the design.

Each embroidery comprises 5,449 stitches and took around 20 hours to complete.

The most dramatic expression of the mythical creature is the Bespoke Starlight Headliner, specially created for these commissions and the result of three months’ design and development work.

Above the driver and passenger seats, 677 individually placed fibre-optic ‘stars’ form an abstract dragon motif, surrounded by a further 667 lights, and positioning them all perfectly by hand took over 20 hours of work.

The car destined for the Rolls-Royce Private Office Shanghai features a unique expression of the Bespoke Starlight Headliner incorporating red ‘stars’ in a bold and contemporary reference to the symbolism of red in Chinese culture.

Each Phantom Extended commission is completed with a Gallery artwork, carefully protected behind an application of pure glass, that runs uninterrupted across the fascia. Crafted from carbon fibre, it evokes dynamism and motion, complementing the dragon artwork.

The interior is completed with Bespoke lambswool carpets, perfectly colour-matched to the leather trim.

The Bespoke designers created unique colourways for the different models: a duotone Cherry Red with Crystal finish over Selby Grey with a Crystal finish for the Cullinan; and a two-tone Silver and Cherry Red or monolithic Black with a Crystal finish for the Phantom Extended car commissions.

All four commissions feature a Bespoke coachline, hand-painted in Phoenix Red, that subtly incorporates a dragon motif. Each dragon is orientated to face right, which symbolically represents the East – the direction of the rising sun.

Photo Credits: Rolls-Royce

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You’d probably have seen our Harley-Davidson (H-D) article from last week, and this is the continuation. On 24 January 2024, four new motorcycle models were revealed.

“These exciting new models represent a new era for Harley-Davidson, elevating every aspect of performance, technology, comfort, and style,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “Without question, these are the most enticing touring motorcycles ever offered by Harley-Davidson.”

Road Glide and Street Glide

The first two models are the 2024 Road Glide and Street Glide, which are more powerful, lighter, and more dynamic. They feature all-new visual design elements that combine a cohesive dynamic flow from the front fenders to the saddlebags, and an evolved fairing profile that’s both modern and yet retains H-D design DNA.

They also feature an updated Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin engine that features a new cooling system which further optimizes thermal comfort for the rider and enhanced intake and exhaust flow to boost performance.

Selectable Ride Modes, namely Road, Sport, Rain and Custom, electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle.

Both models’ infotainment technology is powered by Skyline OS and presented on a 12.3-inch TFT colour touchscreen that replaces all analogue instrumentation and most switches. Additionally, a new 200-watt audio amplifier powers a pair of fairing-mounted speakers.

Finally, improved aerodynamics enhance rider comfort and reduce subjective helmet buffeting at highway speed by an average of 60 per cent.

Rear suspension travel is increased to 76.2mm. A redesigned one-piece seat shape and padding materials significantly improve long-range comfort for most riders.

If that’s not enough, H-D’s Custom Vehicle Operations or CVO has a couple of models for you.

CVO Road Glide ST

The CVO Road Glide ST is said to be the quickest, fastest, and most sophisticated performance bagger ever produced by H-D, and represents high value to performance-minded riders. A deep solo seat and six-inch riser paired with a moto handlebar put the rider in an aggressive, upright position with West Coast custom style.

Two premium paint choices are available – Golden White Pearl or Raven Metallic. A “Screamin’ Eagle” graphic on the fairing sides and fuel tank is inspired by the Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson Factory motorcycles raced in the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series. CVO 25th Anniversary graphics celebrate a milestone in factory customization.

The Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output V-Twin engine is exclusive to the CVO Road Glide ST model and is tuned to produce 127hp and 193 Nm of torque. This represents the most horsepower and torque ever from a factory-installed engine in a production H-D motorcycle. A lower final drive ratio makes acceleration even more snappy in every gear.

The CVO Road Glide ST is no featherweight by any stretch of the imagination, but the use of alternate materials helps reduce dry weight to 363 kg. Mufflers have lightweight titanium shells and forged carbon fibre end caps; forged carbon fibre composite is used to form the front fender, seat cowl and tank console; the oil pan is formed of lightweight composite; and wheel design and wave-style front brake rotors are optimized to minimize unsprung weight.

Fully adjustable front and rear suspension include SHOWA rear shock absorbers with remote reservoirs and inverted 47mm SHOWA 1×1 forks at the front. Premium Brembo braking components provide an outstanding braking feel and performance for added rider confidence.

Just like the non-CVO variant, Selectable Ride Modes are present here but with some additions. Road, Sport, Track, Track Plus, Rain, and multiple Custom modes mean the rider can tailor the performance characteristics to one’s personal preference.

Also like the non-CVO model, a Skyline OS-powered infotainment system is fitted, but in the CVO Road Glide ST, the premium audio system features a 500-watt amplifier and Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate Stage II 6.5-inch fairing speakers.

CVO Pan America

CVO’s first adventure touring or ADV motorcycle, the CVO Pan America, retains all of the features that have made the Pan America 1250 Special model. These include the Revolution Max 1250 engine, semi-active front and rear suspension, touchscreen display, selectable ride modes, and Daymaker Adaptive Headlamp technology.

Additionally, the CVO Pan America is outfitted with a host of rugged accessories selected to enhance the journey, including Adaptive Ride Height suspension, rugged aluminium top and side cases, a “Screamin’ Eagle” quick-shifter, tubeless laced wheels, auxiliary LED forward lighting and an aluminium skid plate.

For more information visit Harley-Davidson Singapore. Also, check out our review of the 2023 Softail Standard.

Photo Credits: Harley-Davidson

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Harley-Davidson has revealed on H-D.com a portion of its 2024 motorcycle line and announced these bikes are now available through authorized dealerships globally, with additional new motorcycle models to be unveiled soon.

The limited-production 2024 models from Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) and more new models will be revealed with a special launch film, “American Dreamin’”, on H-D.com at 12 AM Singapore Time on 25 January 2024 (GMT +8).

The 2024 returning models represent the following categories in the Harley-Davidson motorcycle portfolio, a collection of the sport’s most desirable motorcycles.

For riders responding to the call of the open road, Grand American Touring models take riders beyond the horizon with the comfort and community that makes the journey spectacular, from the company that started the cross-country experience.

Cruiser models are iconic and feature diverse styling, from nostalgic to very modern. They also offer the ability to customize and make the ultimate personal statement.

Sport models offer industry-leading performance and advanced technology that combine to bring about an exhilarating riding experience along with styling inspired by Harley-Davidson’s heritage.

Adventure Touring is for riders who want the ability to go anywhere, and those who see touring as detouring. The award-winning Pan America motorcycle is a versatile and inspirational machine that makes any surface a road.

Finally, Trike models offer an appealing option for those who appreciate the confidence of a three-wheel platform.

For more information visit Harley-Davidson Singapore. Also, check out our review of the 2023 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard.

Photo Credits: Harley-Davidson

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Believe it or not, the Toyota Land Cruiser is 72 years old now. Originally launched as the Toyota BJ in 1951, the Land Cruiser has been a staple of the rough and tumble worldwide. Aussies have a saying that goes something like, “if you want to head bush, take a Land Rover. But if you want to come back out again, take a Land Cruiser.”

Toyota’s legendary reliability and simplicity meant that the Land Cruiser rarely broke down, and when it did, it was relatively easy to fix with a rock and some string while deep off the beaten track.

And so, it is heartwarming to see a new Land Cruiser land in 2023. First up is the 250 Series. This is Toyota’s core Land Cruiser model, and is based on the same GA-F platform as the 300 Series to keep its off-road credentials intact and alive.

What most customers will purchase is the version with the rectangular headlights above, but the lucky few who hasten to plonk down the required moolah can enjoy a limited-run First Edition with the 70 Series-mimicking retro round headlights and two-tone paint schemes.

Being based on Toyota’s GA-F platform, which is a body-on-frame platform that also underpins the 2024 Lexus GX, frame rigidity is increased by 50% while overall rigidity goes up 30%. The basic suspension performance is improved with greater wheel articulation, meaning more off-roady action in more demanding conditions.

The 250 Series also gains electric power steering with Lane Tracing Assist, and Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism which disconnects the front sway bar for more wheel articulation and tyre contact with terrain while off-roading, and connects it for less body movement and more stability while driving on-road. Multi-Terrain Monitor and Multi-Terrain Select help ensure the most optimal settings for the driving conditions at hand, be it on tarmac or otherwise.

Powering the 250 Series Land Cruiser will be a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine, with and without hybrid assist. 281hp and 430Nm of torque, and 330hp and 630Nm of torque are available from the non-hybrid and hybrid powertrains respectively while mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. For those who prefer simplicity, a non-turbo 2.7-litre petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission puts down 163hp and 246Nm of torque for select markets such as Eastern Europe, Japan, etc.

Additionally, a 2.8-litre turbodiesel with 204hp and 500Nm of torque will also be available, and will likely be the preferred engine in markets where diesel vehicles are not looked upon like leprosy.

On the inside, the 250 Series carries on the tradition of being rugged to withstand harsh usage conditions, simple and easy to figure out and use, and features good outward visibility that’s as crucial on-road as it is on the rough stuff. Not difficult to see why many off-road adventurers’ go-to vehicle is the Land Cruiser.

Added to that are some modern touches like the digital instrument cluster and updated infotainment to bring things into 2024. A capable off-roader should be simple and easy to use, but it doesn’t have to be monotonous. “Hey Siri/Google, play <insert preferred music source here>!”

This then brings us to the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) portion of this article – the 70 Series Land Cruiser is making a comeback to Japan as a regular model in Toyota’s showroom line-up and will feature a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine that puts down 204hp and 500Nm of torque to the road via a six-speed automatic transmission.

This 70 Series carries on the traditional Land Cruiser look and feel that most enthusiasts have come to love. The interior is lightly updated to keep up with the times but everything in here is designed to feel traditional and familiar.

Although JDM-only, we’re willing to wager that some units may turn up on Singapore’s shores as parallel imports.

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