BRITAIN’S ULTRA-POSH SPEEDSTERS
The Aston Martin V12 Speedster, Bentley Mulliner Bacalar and Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet Collection are strict two-seaters with no roof – but lots of exclusivity
ARE THESE BASED ON EXISTING CARS?
Welcome to some of the poshest driving machines to be unveiled globally this month: the Aston Martin V12 Speedster, Bentley Mulliner Bacalar and Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet Collection.
Originally planned to debut at the just-cancelled Geneva motor show, the British-built supercars are underscoring the growing business of customised editions with exotic nameplates.
Interestingly, the V12 Speedster, Mulliner Bacalar and Dawn Silver Bullet Collection are two-seaters with no roof for the sake of pure driving enjoyment. The Aston goes one step further with no windscreen.
Aston says the underpinnings of the V12 Speedster are a combination of the existing DBS Superleggera and Vantage front-engined sports car.
The Bentley, meanwhile, has its design inspiration drawn from the EXP100GT concept but uses a platform from today’s Continental GT. Even so, all body parts of the Mulliner Bacalar are said to be bespoke, with the exception of the Conti’s door handles.
As part of its name suggests, the Rolls-Royce is based on the Dawn convertible whose rear seats are covered with stylish buttresses — just like in the other two exotics.
The interiors of these cars are equally flamboyant. As they are limited-production models, the level of personalisation by potential customers is almost limitless.
While Aston Martin and Bentley have revealed their cars in the metal, Rolls-Royce has yet to issue pictures of the real article; seen here are official sketches of the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection instead.
ARE THEY THE EPITOME IN DRIVING PERFORMANCE?
The V12 Speedster, for one, uses the brand’s 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 producing 700hp, which is slightly less than what is produced under the bonnet of the DBS Superleggera.
The transmission is via eight-speed torque-converter automatic driving just the rear axle, governed with limited-slip differential. The 21in wheels house carbon-ceramic disc brakes measuring 410mm up front and 360mm at the rear.
The Mulliner Bacalar, on the other hand, employs the familiar 6.0-litre bi-turbo W12, eightspeed dual-clutch auto and all-wheel drive system of the Conti. But power is up at 659hp, the most of any W12-powered Bentley.
Riding on 22in wheels, the Mulliner Bacalar is said to have an all-wheel drive system with a bias toward the rear under normal driving. The ride, meanwhile, is enhanced by the 48V adaptive suspension.
Aston says the V12 Speedster does 0-100kph in 3.5sec, although Bentley hasn’t quoted any time for the Mulliner Bacalar.
Details of the Rolls-Royce are even more scant, although the Dawn’s 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 and eight-speed torque-converter automatic provide the powertrain hardware. The Dawn has 571hp of power and 4.7sec 0-100kph time in standard form.
Such performance isn’t record-breaking in the game of supercars in 2020, but that’s probably not the point of the Aston, Bentley or Rolls-Royce.
IT’S ALL ABOUT RARITY, THEN?
These supercars are obviously meant for having air blown into your face and hearing the sensational sound of the 12-pot engines. And, of course, there’s the point of rarity, as you pointed out.
Aston says 88 units of the V12 Speedster will be made with first deliveries starting in the first quarter of next year. Each costs from 92 million baht (when taxed fully on Thai shores).
Bentley hasn’t officially announced pricing for the Mulliner Bacalar but says the 12 units destined for production are sold out. European media outlets say it costs twice as much as the Aston.
Rolls-Royce says it will be making just 50 units of the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection and will unveil the car later this year. Expect pricing to be just as spectacular as the Bentley.