This year, Bentley bids farewell to its iconic W12 engine. While the latest Continental GT marked a new chapter for the brand, the spotlight now turns to the Batur Convertible, which has begun final sign-off testing – showcasing the W12 one last time.

The W12 has been a cornerstone of Bentley’s grand tourers since its introduction in 2003, but with the move to a V8 hybrid, Crewe is entering a new era. Even so, the W12’s departure won’t be quiet. The Batur Convertible – a hyper-exclusive £2 million grand tourer – is the final model to be powered by the engine, and Bentley is going to great lengths to ensure it bows out in style.

Removing the roof adds a sense of theatre to this closing chapter – all the better to hear the W12 in full voice. The Batur Convertible is more than a farewell tour; it’s a last showcase of what Bentley’s W12 stands for. With 58 weeks of testing planned, including 120 separate evaluations, Crewe is determined the Batur will meet the engineering standards expected of a car at this level.

Bentley Batur W12 engine

In its first real-world test, two Baturs embarked on a 1,860-mile (3,000km) trip through five countries. Starting in Germany, the cars travelled through Italy, France, Spain and Monaco. This road leg is followed by high-speed testing on private tracks in Spain, where the pair will undergo seven weeks of durability trials. After each round, Bentley’s engineers pore over the data to ensure the Batur performs as intended.

Why so much testing for a known engine in such a limited-run grand tourer? Because the Batur isn’t just another special – it’s the final expression of the W12, and Crewe is making sure it signs off on a high note.

Bentley Batur cabin

Bentley’s two development cars, known as Car Zero and the engineering prototype, are no ordinary hacks. They’re built to the same specification as customer cars – Car Zero wears Vermillion Gloss with satin accents, while the engineering car is finished in Midnight Emerald. Both showcase the range of personalisation options available to the 16 owners of the Batur Convertible.

With the W12 producing 730bhp – the most powerful version of the engine to date – the Batur Convertible is tasked with delivering the most complete send-off yet for Bentley’s most significant modern powerplant.

As the W12 edges towards retirement, Bentley is already preparing for what comes next. The Batur Convertible may be an exclusive swansong, but the future will be defined by electrification and a new era of grand touring.

Bentley Batur testing