Bentley Bacalar

Roadster 2021–2022 659 hp Petrol (6.0L W12 Twin-Turbo)

The Bentley Bacalar is the most exclusive open-top grand tourer in the brand's modern history — a Mulliner coachbuilding project limited to just 12 examples, each hand-crafted to its owner's precise specification over a Continental GT platform.

Total Units Made

659

Horsepower (W12)

3.5 sec

0–100 km/h

2021

Year Launched

Overview

The Bentley Bacalar is one of the rarest and most significant modern Bentleys ever created. Unveiled in 2020 and delivered in 2021–2022, it was conceived by Bentley Mulliner — the coachbuilding division of the brand — as an open two-seater barchetta demonstrating the absolute summit of Bentley's craftsmanship capabilities. With only 12 cars produced and all pre-sold at approximately £1.5 million each before a single build had commenced, the Bacalar is not merely a car but a collector artefact.

Based on the Continental GT's platform, the Bacalar uses the 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine in its most powerful road-going form — 659 hp and 900 Nm of torque, paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission driving all four wheels. The 0–100 km/h time of approximately 3.5 seconds is remarkable for a hand-crafted grand tourer of this scale. Despite the extreme exclusivity, Bentley Mulliner configured the Bacalar to be fully road-legal and genuinely driveable rather than a purely ornamental exercise.

Each Bacalar was defined by its owner's wishes, with Mulliner's craftspeople selecting from sustainable, rare, and bespoke materials — including ethically sourced wood veneers, natural fibres, and special alloys that cannot be specified on any other Bentley. In Azerbaijan and the Gulf collector market, the Bacalar represents arguably the most desirable modern Bentley — an open-top icon that will only grow in significance as the brand transitions away from the W12 engine and towards electrification.

Bacalar in Pictures

Visual references for exterior styling, cabin design, and key details. Images fall back gracefully on load error.

Bentley Bacalar — open two-seater coachbuild

Bacalar — barchetta silhouette with no roof structure

Key Specifications

Engine: 6.0L twin-turbocharged W12 — highest road-going output in Continental GT family
Power: 659 hp / 900 Nm torque
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Drive: All-wheel drive (Bentley AWD system)
0–100 km/h: approx. 3.5 seconds
Top speed: approx. 322 km/h
Body: Open two-seater barchetta — no roof, no windscreen frame above dashboard
Platform: Continental GT (MSB platform, shared with Porsche Panamera)
Production: 12 units total — all pre-sold before production commenced
Programme: Bentley Mulliner coachbuilding — highest tier of Bentley personalisation
Materials: sustainable veneers, natural fibres, bespoke alloys exclusive to this model
Base price: approx. £1.5 million (2020)

Variant Comparison

Variant	Engine	Power	Drive	Best For
Bacalar (all examples)	6.0L W12 Twin-Turbo	659 hp	AWD	Unique — each of the 12 units is individually specified; no two are identical

Competitor Snapshot

Model	Strength	Compromise
Rolls-Royce Boat Tail	Similarly ultra-exclusive coachbuilt, V12-powered, three units made	Different philosophy — closed body; Boat Tail was even more expensive
Aston Martin Victor	One-off bespoke, manual gearbox V12, extreme exclusivity	Single unit — not comparable as a programme; less wearable luxury
Ferrari Monza SP2	Open two-seater, V12 naturally aspirated, more than 500 built	Less exclusive, track-biased character, not a full grand tourer
Bentley Continental GT Convertible	Same platform and W12, far more accessible, fully supported	Not remotely comparable in exclusivity — 12 vs full production run

Cost-of-Ownership Estimator (Azerbaijan)

Annual distance (km)Fuel consumption (L/100km)Fuel price ($/L)Annual service budget ($)Annual insurance ($)Annual tires ($)

Annual fuel use: 660 litres
Annual fuel cost: $462
Total yearly estimate: $85462
Monthly average: $7122

All 12 Bacalars are now in private hands — servicing must be arranged through Bentley Mulliner directly or an authorised Bentley dealer with Mulliner access.
Annual service costs will mirror or exceed those of the Continental GT W12 — the bespoke body and interior require Mulliner-specialist knowledge.
Insurance must be arranged through specialist high-value collector car underwriters at agreed value — replacement cost is effectively irreplaceable.
Tyre specification is bespoke to the Bacalar; replacements require sourcing through Bentley authorised channels.
Any resale must factor the extreme rarity — Bacalar examples are expected to command a significant premium over the original purchase price.

Maintenance & Service in Azerbaijan

Arrange all servicing through Bentley Mulliner or an authorised Bentley dealer briefed on Bacalar-specific build details.
Annual fluid service (engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, DSG fluid) is mandatory — use Bentley-approved synthetic fluids throughout.
W12 turbocharger inspection at each service — confirm boost pressure and oil feed line condition.
Bespoke interior materials require specialist care: avoid standard automotive cleaning products on natural fibre and sustainable veneer surfaces.
Inspect open bodywork drainage channels and weatherstripping at each service — the open barchetta body requires particular attention to water management.
Active suspension and electronic chassis systems should be calibrated annually — identical to Continental GT procedure.

Used Bacalar Buying Checklist

Verify full Bentley Mulliner build documentation — specification sheet, delivery record, and original owner correspondence.
Confirm Bentley service history from authorised dealer — any undocumented gap is unacceptable at this value level.
Inspect all bespoke interior surfaces: veneer, natural fibre, leather, and metal — restoration costs would be extreme.
Check W12 engine for oil leaks, particularly at turbo feed lines and rear main seal.
Test all electronic functions: active suspension, drive modes, infotainment, climate, and lighting.
Verify tyre specification and remaining tread — bespoke tyres require Bentley-authorised sourcing.
Review provenance documentation thoroughly — VIN records, factory delivery photos, and registration history.
Engage Bentley Mulliner for a formal pre-purchase condition assessment where possible.

Bacalar FAQ — Azerbaijan Buyers

Q: Why were only 12 Bacalars made?

The Bacalar was conceived as a Mulliner Coachbuilding project — a demonstration of what Bentley's artisans can achieve when freed from production constraints. Twelve was chosen to align with the tradition of ultra-exclusive Mulliner programmes and to ensure each car received the full attention of the team. All 12 were pre-sold before production began.

Q: Is the Bacalar based on a standard Bentley?

Yes — it uses the Continental GT's MSB platform, shared with the Porsche Panamera. The W12 engine, AWD system, and 8-speed DCT are also derived from the Continental GT. What distinguishes the Bacalar is the entirely bespoke open two-seater body, unique interior specification, and Mulliner coachbuilding execution.

Q: What is the Bacalar worth today?

While original purchase prices were approximately £1.5 million, secondary market valuations for Bacalar examples are expected to be significantly higher given the 12-unit production run, the impending end of W12 production, and the car's status as a defining modern Mulliner coachbuild. Precise valuation requires specialist appraisal.

Should You Buy the Bentley Bacalar?

The rarest modern Bentley — an investment in automotive artisanship as much as a car.

The Bentley Bacalar is not available to buy in the conventional sense — it requires finding one of the 12 owners willing to sell, likely at a significant premium. For collectors in Azerbaijan and the region who prioritise ultimate exclusivity, W12 heritage, and connection to Bentley's coachbuilding tradition before electrification, the Bacalar is incomparable. Provenance and condition documentation are paramount; engage Bentley Mulliner specialists before any transaction.