Last year, British luxury car maker Bentley announced the Bentayga Ewb as a new flagship to replace the Mulsanne sedan. To see the EWB variant’s improvements over the standard Bentayga, we recently tested the ultra-luxury SUV, which is available ex-showroom at a starting price of Rs 600 crore, before exploring Did’s customization options.
If you think it’s just an SUV, you’re wrong. In addition to the 180mm wheelbase, there is more. Of course, the increased wheelbase allows for large rear doors that are significantly larger than standard doors. But the EWB has more to offer than just the interior, it’s the driving experience. In fact, the Bentayga EWB weighs almost 100 kg more than the standard version of this model, which means extensive changes.
When you step into this luxury vehicle, a sublime interior awaits you. The interior layout is not only functional, but also demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship at the highest level. For those used to the standard Bentayga cabin, there are no fundamental differences, but there are certainly subtle changes to the inlays, stitching patterns and even the ambient lighting. Overall it’s a great looking cabin with wood inlays and a traditional clock as you would expect from a Bentley. Most of all, everything looks so rich and just right.
Speaking of changes: the additional space gained by the longer wheelbase is complemented by a technology-equipped rear seat that offers exceptional comfort. Even better: these sheets are custom-made. This means that when ordering your car you can choose between a bench seat, two separate seats or even an airline-style seat. There are also two networked screens for the rear passengers and a center console with a small touchscreen that can be used for various functions such as climate control, blinds and electric doors. Bentley has thought of everything, no matter how you feel.
As for the driving experience of the Bentayga EWB, nothing has changed in terms of powertrain. In fact, more power is available in the base model, but the EWB variant only gets the 4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, which produces an impressive 542bhp. and 770 Nm of torque. It is equipped with an automatic transmission and, like an SUV, it has off-road capabilities.
The air suspension allows the chassis to be lowered or raised when driving over difficult terrain. The biggest change in driving is Rear Axle Steering, which is now standard equipment. When cornering, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction, meaning that although the car is longer than a normal Bentaga due to the rear axle steering, the car’s agility or off-road ability is significantly better. The turning radius is actually shorter than the standard model, which improves cornering agility.
The engine is smooth, and when you drive in Comfort mode, you sit in a completely silent cabin, so you only hear the rolling of the tires. The aerodynamics are also very good, so there is no wind noise from the outside.
