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NEW CARS

Bentley Batur Convertible #4

Bentley’s Mulliner division has never been shy about excess, but Batur Convertible #4 takes bespoke indulgence to a level that even Crewe’s most seasoned craftspeople must pause to admire. This is not merely another ultra-limited Bentley with a paint-to-sample exterior and a few special badges. It’s a deeply personal expression of what coachbuilding looks like when time, money, and taste are allowed to roam freely—and when the client knows exactly what she wants.

That client is Sonia Breslow, a collector whose garage already reads like a greatest-hits album of Bentley history: a Blower Continuation Series, a Speed Six Continuation Series, and the Bacalar that effectively rebooted Bentley’s modern coachbuilt era. Batur Convertible #4 doesn’t just join that lineup; it converses with it, carrying forward a visual and material language that’s uniquely hers.

From the outside, this Batur leans into elegance rather than shock value. The tri-tone exterior uses Breslow’s own commissioned colors, anchored by a hairline 6-mm gloss-silver stripe that accentuates the Batur’s defining feature—its seemingly endless hood. The upper body wears “Breslow Blue,” a shade so personal it extends beyond paint. Mulliner color-matched the convertible roof canvas to it, creating the first bespoke-colored roof of its kind. Drop the top, and the same hue reappears on the Airbridge beneath, turning a functional aero element into a design flourish.

Subtlety continues elsewhere. A Midnight Breslow Blue pinstripe traces the hood, wheel accents and mirror caps quietly echo the primary palette, and polished titanium exhaust finishers add a muted sparkle at the rear. Bright silver grilles keep things classic, reminding you this is still a Bentley—even if it’s one filtered through an intensely personal lens.

The real theater begins when you open the door. Bentley’s animated welcome lamps are already a party trick, but here they cross into signature art. Using more than 415,000 microscopic mirrors, the system projects Sonia Breslow’s handwritten name onto the ground. It’s not flashy in a Vegas way; it’s intimate, like a signed first edition waiting on your doorstep.

Inside, the cabin trades cool blues for warmth. Autumnal tans and caramel tones dominate, offset by restrained light-blue accents that pull the exterior Breslow Blue into the interior without overwhelming it. Contrast stitching runs across the tonneau, seats, headrests, and instrument panel, tying the space together with quiet consistency. Look down, and you’ll spot the outline of Mount Batur—namesake of the car—woven subtly into the deep-pile floor mats, a detail most owners would never notice but Mulliner insists on perfecting anyway.

The dashboard blends old and new in a way only Bentley seems able to pull off. Inspired by early Bentleys, a bright aluminum engine-spin finish spans the fascia, shimmering softly rather than shouting for attention. The Bentley Rotating Display—equal parts gimmick and genius—features bespoke-colored gauge faces and a satin-blue clock face that matches the overall theme. It’s the kind of detail that feels indulgent until you realize how cohesively it’s been executed.

Then there’s the metalwork. Batur Convertible #4 marks Bentley’s first use of three-dimensionally printed platinum. The top-dead-center marker on the steering wheel and each organ stop are crafted from the precious metal, adding literal weight to the term “bespoke.” It’s innovation hiding in plain sight, more jeweler’s atelier than automotive factory.

For all its handcrafted artistry, this Batur doesn’t forget to perform. Under that endless hood sits the most powerful version of Bentley’s iconic W12: a hand-assembled, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter engine delivering 740 horsepower. In an era where downsizing and electrification loom large, the Batur Convertible feels like a last, defiant love letter to excess internal combustion. It’s not about lap times or Nürburgring bragging rights; it’s about effortless, continent-crushing grand touring, roof down, horizon ahead.

Breslow herself sums it up best. This isn’t a speculative asset or a concours queen waiting for its next auction appearance. It’s a forever car, designed down to the last stitch and pinstripe to reflect its owner’s passion for detail and individuality. In that sense, Batur Convertible #4 isn’t just a Bentley—it’s a collaboration, a rolling manifesto of what modern coachbuilding can be when the client is as committed as the craftsmen.

As it joins its Mulliner siblings, this Batur stands as a reminder that true luxury isn’t about shouting the loudest. Sometimes, it’s about a handwritten name in light, a roof dyed just right, and a W12 beating beneath a hood that seems to stretch on forever.

Source: Bentley

Restomod

The Shelby GT350TR Proves There’s Still Room for One More Great Mustang Restomod

Just when it seemed like the Mustang-based restomod boom had reached peak saturation—every fastback reborn, every stripe reimagined—along comes another build that reminds us why this corner of the car world refuses to slow down. Meet the Shelby GT350TR, a sharpened, modernized reinterpretation of the classic Mustang by Oklahoma-based Trick Rides. Yes, it follows a familiar formula. No, that doesn’t make it any less compelling.

At $339,000 to start, the GT350TR clearly isn’t trying to win over casual nostalgia buyers. This is a no-compromises restomod aimed squarely at people who want their classic Mustang to drive like a modern performance car—without losing the attitude that made the original special.

As with any serious restomod, the magic begins underneath. Trick Rides ditches the original underpinnings in favor of a modern Roadster Shop chassis, instantly resetting expectations for ride quality and handling. An independent front suspension with Fox shocks brings a level of composure the original car could only dream of, trading vintage float for modern control. It’s the kind of upgrade that quietly transforms the driving experience long before you start leaning on the throttle.

The chassis revisions don’t stop there. Stiffer front and rear stabilizer bars work alongside a four-link rear suspension and a stout 9-inch rear axle. Together, these upgrades dramatically recalibrate how the Mustang behaves when pushed, trimming away much of the body roll and cornering hesitation that defined the original car. In other words, this is a classic Mustang that finally feels comfortable attacking a winding road rather than merely surviving it.

Visually, the GT350TR walks a careful line between reverence and reinvention. Trick Rides keeps the familiar silhouette intact, crafting the body panels from steel and preserving the proportions that made this generation of Mustang iconic. There’s an undeniable Eleanor vibe here, but it’s more restrained—less Hollywood hero car, more grown-up muscle with taste.

Up front, the changes are more pronounced. A new grille, revised headlights, and a custom hood give the GT350TR a sharper, more purposeful face. Three-piece Forgeline wheels fill the arches just right, while side-exit exhaust pipes add a touch of race-car menace without tipping into parody. From most angles, it looks properly aggressive, though the rear end plays things a bit safe compared to the bolder front fascia. That subtlety may disappoint some, but others will appreciate the restraint.

Then there’s the powertrain, which is exactly as unapologetic as you’d hope. The headline act is a supercharged 5.0-liter Coyote V8 pumping out a reported 710 horsepower. It’s paired with a six-speed Tremec T-56 manual transmission, because anything else would feel like a missed opportunity. A custom exhaust system with Magnaflow mufflers ensures the soundtrack matches the numbers, delivering modern V-8 fury through a classic American megaphone.

For buyers who want brute force without the whine of a blower, Trick Rides offers an alternative: a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V-8. It’s a different flavor of excess, trading forced induction drama for big-displacement swagger.

Performance upgrades would be meaningless without serious stopping power, and the GT350TR delivers there too. Baer brakes handle braking duties, with six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units at the rear, promising fade-resistant confidence to match the car’s newfound pace.

The Shelby GT350TR doesn’t pretend to reinvent the restomod formula. Instead, it refines it—modern chassis, modern power, classic looks, and just enough restraint to keep it from becoming a caricature. In a crowded field, that focus might be exactly what helps it stand out.

Source: Ford Authority

News

Dacia Turns Its SUVs into a Budget Observatory on Wheels

Leave it to Dacia to look at the booming overlanding craze, shrug at the six-figure expedition rigs clogging Instagram, and say: What if camping was just… simple? The Romanian brand’s latest idea, charmingly dubbed the “Million Star Hotel,” is less about rooftop tents and titanium cookware and more about sleeping inside your car while the universe puts on a show overhead.

The concept centers on Dacia’s biggest SUV yet, the Bigster, a 4.57-meter-long slab of practical ambition that finally offers enough interior real estate to make car camping feel intentional rather than desperate. The star of the show—literally and figuratively—is the factory-designed Sleep Pack, an optional setup that turns the Bigster’s cargo area into a two-person bedroom with a view of the cosmos.

The Sleep Pack isn’t exclusive to the Bigster; it also fits the Duster and Jogger, reinforcing Dacia’s talent for stretching one clever idea across an entire lineup. At its core is a 190-centimeter double mattress that unfolds across the boot floor and folded rear seats. When morning comes—or when you need your SUV back—the mattress detaches and tucks neatly into a bespoke wooden storage box.

Headroom is, predictably, snug. But the Bigster’s panoramic sunroof makes that a feature rather than a flaw. Instead of staring at headliner fabric, you fall asleep watching the stars wheel overhead, separated from deep space by a thin sheet of glass. The wooden base doubles as a small table, with storage compartments underneath for the essentials: flashlights, snacks, and whatever else you forgot to pack because you assumed “it’s just one night.”

Dacia’s big reveal happens February 25 and 26 in Scotland’s Galloway Forest Park, one of the UK’s officially designated dark-sky zones. Far from city glow and light pollution, guests will camp overnight beneath a rare celestial alignment. If the weather cooperates—and that’s always the fine print in Scotland—Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury will all be visible to the naked eye.

This isn’t just a lie-down-and-stargaze affair. Dacia is leaning into the outdoorsy fantasy with open-fire cooking, kayaking, and fishing. And while the Sleep Pack doesn’t magically add plumbing, the brand will provide on-site facilities, including a large communal tent with basic amenities. Think glamping-adjacent, minus the pretense.

Bookings for the “Million Star Hotel” are open until January 28 through a dedicated website, with spots allocated by lottery. Requirements are refreshingly straightforward: UK residency, a valid driver’s license, and ideally someone you don’t mind sharing a mattress with. Each vehicle sleeps two adults, so bringing a guest is encouraged.

For those who don’t win the stargazing sweepstakes—or who just want to turn their own Dacia into a weekend escape pod—the Sleep Pack is available to buy. The mattress and wooden box retail for £1,307. Add blackout curtains for £175 and a tent for £350, and the full InNature Camping Kit totals £1,830.

In classic Dacia fashion, it’s not luxurious, it’s not flashy, and it doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t. But in a world where “adventure” often comes with a luxury price tag, the idea of parking an affordable SUV in the middle of nowhere and watching the planets drift by feels refreshingly honest. Sometimes, the best hotel really does have a million stars—and no minibar.

Source: Dacia