The New Bentley Batur Features 18K Gold 3D Printed Parts
Almost every day, new car parts are produced using additive manufacturing for various vehicles, Whether for cars, trucks, motorcycles or even NASCAR, numerous parts have already been 3D printed. Nevertheless, it is always exciting to see what new possibilities this opens up for the design, but also the performance of the car. For example, British automaker Bentley Motors Ltd – Bentley for short – recently unveiled its new Batur, which features 3D-printed parts. Not only are only 18 units of this a two-door grand touring coupe available, but according to the company, this car embodies the beginning of the design revolution within the automotive industry. Notably, 18 karat gold designs were 3D printed on the vehicle.
Like its predecessor Bacalar, this model also bears the name of a body of water, Batur. This is an approximately 88-meter-deep lake on the Indonesian island of Bali, which is not only important for hot springs, but also for supplying the local agriculture. Apart from the name, the Batur model is said to be the most powerful Bentley of all time, boasting 740+ hp, a hand-assembled 6.0-liter W12 engine with twin turbochargers. This electric car thus combines innovative design, high performance and additive manufacturing to ensure guaranteed driving pleasure for the 18 future owners who have already reserved their Batur.
There are only 18 existing models of the Bentley Batur
Putting 18K Gold on the Bentleys Batur Using AM
“The Batur is a significant car for Bentley. Far more than the heir to the highly successful Bacalar, the Batur showcases the design direction that we’re taking in the future as we develop our range of BEVs. Andi Mindt and his team have reimagined the classic Bentley design cues into a stronger, bolder design that remains both elegant and graceful,” is how Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark describes the Bentley Batur. Why this car is so significant for Bentley, however, is hidden in the details of its creation: in addition to exciting features such as eLSD, four-wheel steering and even active 48-volt stabilizers, Bentley’s 18 customers are also able to choose whether they want to receive the organ registers for the ventilation as a 3D-printed version in 18K gold. In addition, this Bentley model features even more additively manufactured parts, such as the 3D-printed titanium cover.
When it comes to the sustainability aspect, too, Bentley is definitely ahead of the game. The Batur is made from high-performance flax composites, which are a much more sustainable alternative to carbon fiber. While this material retains the same properties as carbon fibers, such as strength and lightness, it has a much smaller environmental footprint. Considering that Bentley has only recently invested 3 million pounds – about 3.5 million euros – in its additive manufacturing facilities in Crewe, England, where all Bentley models are made, this is already paying off. For the British automaker, the fact that all 18 models of the Bentley Batur are already reserved clearly shows that our society is steadily growing a higher demand of customized vehicles that combine luxury and performance in innovative ways. If you want to learn more about the Bentley Batur, click HERE.
The 18K gold is 3D printed individually in each car
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*All Photo Credits: Bentley
