Car manufacturers are increasingly embracing 3D-printing technology. While many, like Ford, allow owners to print their own accessories and others, such as Cadillac, are producing brackets and trim, Bentley has taken things to a new level. The British marque is using 3D printing to create components made of gold, which feature in its exclusive Bentley Batur.
Bentley Motors Limited, a renowned British manufacturer, has a rich history, including multiple wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Today, the brand is synonymous with Rolls-Royce as a symbol of luxury and design. Its Mulliner division continues the tradition of coachbuilding.
With only 18 Baturs being built, each customer gets to customize a vehicle to their exact preferences. One customer opted for a rose gold theme. The car is finished in a “Black Rose” dark metallic paint with rose gold-like metallic flake, complemented by gloss “Beluga” black on the roof and rose gold accents on the grilles, mirror caps, and rear wing. The color scheme is carried into the interior, extending to the dashboard and seating, paired with black leather and tweed upholstery.
These personalized elements extend to the interior trim, which includes solid gold components. The Batur’s interior boasts up to 7.4 ounces of gold in this $2 million, W-12-powered coupe. Some interior elements are finished with a rose gold hue, while others are crafted from genuine 18-karat gold. These gold details are featured in the organ stop air vent controls, the 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel, and the drive mode selector ring surrounding the start button. According to Bentley, the gold is sourced from recycled jewelry.
The Batur line serves as a celebration of the end of Bentley’s W12 engine. In addition to the 18 coupes, Bentley is producing 16 convertibles, all of which are powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 engine generating 739 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque. This power is distributed to all four wheels, enabling the Batur coupe to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 209 mph. The base price for each Batur exceeds $2 million. Considering the high degree of customization available, each car likely commands an even higher final price tag. One example featured a sound system valued at over $30,000. Bentley has not disclosed the cost of the custom gold parts, but it’s clear that customers are prioritizing creating a unique and luxurious vehicle.
