The much-anticipated 2020 Geneva Motor Show was supposed to take place this week, but the coronavirus outbreak forced organizers to abruptly cancel the event. It's a massive blow for the industry, but public safety is obviously a priority so it's the right decision. Consequently, automakers have had to rethink plans as a slew of new models were supposed to make their public debut this year's Geneva show.
One of the most anticipated new models at the show was the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar, a bespoke grand tourer designed by Bentley's Mulliner coachbuilding division. While it will no longer make its public debut at Geneva, Bentley will still present the Mulliner Bacalar to the world during an online press conference on March 3, 2020, at 08:30 am GMT (3.30 am EST).
To increase our anticipation, Bentley has also released the third and final teaser image of the Mulliner Bacalar, giving us an overhead view of the luxury grand-tourer. Judging from the teaser, the Bacalar doesn't appear to have a roof, much like the McLaren Elva, Ferrari Monza, and the upcoming Aston Martin V12 Speedster. Rumors have already suggested Bentley's Mulliner division has been crafting an ultra-exclusive open-top sports grand-tourer, which is likely to be the Mulliner Bacalar.
Bentley hasn't provided any more details, but we know the Mulliner Bacalar's "beautiful yet dramatic design" will be inspired by the exquisite EXP 100 GT coupe, while the hand-crafted interior will adopt a two-seat layout making the Bacalar Bentley's first two-seater since 1930.
The interior will also feature a wraparound cockpit and ethically-sourced materials. Powertrain details are still a mystery, however. While the EXP 100 GT uses an electric powertrain with four electric motors, the Mulliner Bacalar is more likely to adopt the company's 6.0-liter, twin-turbo W12 engine. In the Bentley Continental GT, this unit produces 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque.
Production will likely be extremely limited, while pricing is rumored to start at an eye-watering $1.9-million. We'll find out if those rumors were right when the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar breaks cover tomorrow.