Mindt cites three special qualities that he says will guide Bentley’s future design, beyond the usual “strong and muscular” characteristics claimed by most luxury automakers.
The first is what Mindt calls the “resting beast position.” The Batur doesn’t have a wedge in its shape (“too many cars are shaped like a shovel”), but instead looks like it’s sitting on its rear wheels and haunches, ready to go.
The second is “vertical elegance”: the design team has taken the opportunity to modernize Bentley’s grille and make it more vertical because they believe this gives the car a stronger face and a more commanding stance.
The third element is “endless hood”. Mindt said: “A long hood has always been a mark of power and prestige in luxury cars. It’s the only accent element on the Batur’s fundamentally clean form, and it also helps move the car’s visual mass towards in the rear, increasing the impression that sits on his rear axle and bringing strength to his haunches.
“In general, we have kept the shape of Batur very clean and simple. We relied on curved surfaces, bisected in the right places, to reflect light and shadow and add muscle to the design.”
The Batur is a strict two-seater, designed for the best personalization and for luxurious and long-distance touring at high speed. As with the exterior, almost all surfaces can be painted and covered according to customer preference. The seats will be finished in Scotch leather, described as low-carbon because it doesn’t have to travel as far as it also offers a sustainable Italian variety. A third alternative is Dinamica, a very durable suede material.