BIG GAINS

WORDS GAUTAM SHARMA

We take the new Bentley Bentayga EWB for a test drive in Vancouver, Canada, to discover what makes this a statement piece in the ultra-luxury automotive orbit

Bentley has long been synonymous with stately limos, perhaps none more famous than the State Limousines manufactured in 2002 for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. But times change and the hallowed British brand has had to realign its model line-up to cater to shifting tastes among its buyers. A notable trend in recent years is that motorists across all price segments have been deserting traditional sedans in favour of high-riding SUVs and crossovers.

So, it’s not altogether surprising that the void left by the expansive Mulsanne limo – it was discontinued in 2020 – has now been filled by an all-terrainer. Bentley has supersized its Bentayga, and the resulting new EWB (Extended Wheelbase) model has the dual objectives of not only replacing the Mulsanne, but also of taking on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Range Rover Long Wheelbase.

A stretch of 180mm pushes out the Bentayga EWB’s wheelbase to a gargantuan 3,175mm, and all the additional space liberated by the expansion benefits rear-seat occupants.

Company officials are at pains to point out the newcomer is a thoroughly reengineered vehicle, with 2,500 new parts compared

to the regular Bentayga, resulting from a “nine-digit investment” in its development. The new offering is available in five-seat, 4+1 and four-seat configurations, with the latter format going the extra mile by including rear pews that recline by up to 40 degrees.

The EWB debuts soft-close doors, while the sheer length and weight of the rear doors have warranted the introduction of an electronic opening and closing system, activated via push buttons on the rear centre console. The most obvious clue to the identity of the EWB – apart from the XXL rear doors – is a new vertical-vane grille in lieu of the usual mesh-pattern unit. However, the crosshatch theme is still retained for the lower air intakes.

The EWB will be offered in two core specifications with the base model already bringing a generous quota of standard kit. The range-topping Azure trim focuses on “wellness” – in other words, delivering occupants to their destination in ultimate comfort. The Azure is distinguishable by its chromefinish air intakes, while the car rides on massive 10-spoke, 22-inch alloys that are offered in a choice of three different finishes. It also has badges spelling out its identity on the flanks and embroidered into the backs of the front seats. The seats themselves are trimmed in leather that features a new elongated quilting and perforation pattern exclusive to the Azure. An interesting trick is the optional ‘Bentley Diamond Illumination’, whereby LED lights shine through perforations in the padded trim. Even your feet are pampered in the Azure, thanks to super-soft deep-pile carpeting, while the two-tone, leatherclad steering wheel has a heating function to get your hands warm on frosty days.

The four-seater ‘Airline Seat Specification’ features a pair of reclining seats in the rear, each of which is complemented by a footrest that deploys electronically from the back of the seat in front. While this seating format is hardly new, Bentley claims it has introduced a couple of world-firsts in the seats. The first of these is ‘Seat Auto-Climate’, which senses the occupant’s body temperature and compensates by either warming up or cooling

ABOVE: The Bentayga EWB features a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 OPPOSITE PAGE: The SUV offers fourwheel steering

CLOCKWISE FROM

ABOVE: The two-tone, leather-clad steering wheel has a heating function; Rear seats recline by up to 40 degrees; The EWB has a top speed of 290kph down to bring the occupant’s torso temperature to within the optimum thermal range. The other first, according to Bentley, is ‘Postural Adjust’, which makes proactive microadjustments to the support in the seat (up to 177 changes over a three-hour window), with the aim of stimulating muscles and reducing fatigue.

Back-seat dwellers also benefit from dual ionisers for the rear cabin that filter out airborne particulates, so they don’t go and lodge themselves in your lungs.

The base model comes standard with fluted leather upholstery, 20way adjustable front seats, 21-inch alloys, wood veneer trims and plenty more bells and whistles. The rear compartment in the base model can be configured with either the 4+1 or five-seater layout.

The oily bits are unchanged for the EWB as propulsion comes from the familiar 4-litre twin-turbo V8 that thumps out 550hp at 6,000rpm and 770Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm, while the drive is sent to all four wheels by a ZF eight-speed auto transmission. The EWB weighs in at 2,514kg, yet it still manages to go from 0-100kph in 4.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 290kph.

As of now, there are no plans for a W12 version, but performance is clearly more than adequate with the V8, so there aren’t likely to be too many customers demanding more cylinders or cubic inches. The powertrain offers plenty of midrange grunt, and it strikes a nice balance between being audible when pushed, yet near-silent at highway cruising speeds.

Even though the Bentayga EWB’s USP is its vast and opulent rear compartment, Bentley says that many buyers will be owner-drivers, rather than chauffeur-driven back-seat dwellers.

It might be a 5.3m long, 2.5-tonne chariot, but the Bentayga EWB hides its girth relatively well, as we discovered during the launch drive programme, as part of which we covered the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler Mountain, and beyond.

A key tech addition to the Bentayga EWB is four-wheel steering, and this feature results in a tidy turning circle of 11.8m, which is 0.6m less than the standard model. The rear-steer also helps greatly in getting the big

SUV rotated through tight corners without having to wind on armloads of steering lock. e 48-Volt active roll stabilisation system also plays its part, keeping the EWB relatively at and free of body roll, should the mood take you to ing it across winding mountain roads. e EWB is a far more agile and dynamic drive than the RollsRoyce Cullinan, which is much happier sedately wa ing along than it is being driven spiritedly across sinuous tarmac. e Bentley also has the Range Rover LWB comfortably beaten in the grip/ handling department. Straight-line performance is decidedly lively, with the Bentayga sprinting from corner to corner and dispatching overtakes (when required) with e ortless ease.

But what we were keen to nd out is what sort of experience the Bentayga EWB o ers to its rearseat occupants – especially with the Airline Seat Speci cation. e trade-o for the Bentayga EWB’s dynamism (for a vehicle of its size and type) is that ride quality is a bit sharp over high-frequency roadsurface imperfections. As a result, rear-seat dwellers don’t get to bask in the magic-carpet ride you’d get in a Cullinan or even an S-Class.

Luggage capacity is also a bit tight, with the four-seat con guration only o ering 392 litres of stowage space. You may want to opt for the ve-seat layout (it o ers 484 litres) if this is a deal-breaker. ere are plenty of elements that exude seven-star luxury in this Bentley’s cabin – especially the sumptuously upholstered leather quilted seats, plus the immaculately nished veneer trim on the doors and centre console. e chromed door handles and knurled alloy twist knobs are also a delight to hold and behold.

However, it’s a let-down to nd switchgear that’s no di erent to what you’d nd in a previous-gen Volkswagen Golf. is is one area where the Bentayga (which dates back to 2015) is beginning to feel its age. e latest Flying Spur has addressed this gripe with a rst-class cabin that shows little tangible evidence of parts sharing across the Volkswagen Group. No doubt it will also be resolved in the next-gen Bentayga, due in about three years. e Bentayga EWB is likely to be greeted by a highly receptive audience in our SUV-loving region, and local orders have just opened for the vehicle. A big plus point in favour of the EWB is that it loses nothing in the way of agility or manoeuvrability compared to its shorter sibling, thanks to the addition of its fourwheel steering.

On the whole, the Bentayga EWB does what it claims, and it opens up the opulent SUV to a whole new demographic, who might otherwise have bought a limo.

AT A GLANCE

Bentley Bentayga EWB

Price: From Dh980,000 (estimate) Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8 Power: 550hp at 6,000rpm Torque: 770Nm at 2,000-4,500rpm Transmission: Eight-speed auto 0-100kph: 4.6 seconds Top speed: 290kph