Bentley has officially pulled the curtain off the upcoming Bentayga EWB version of their globally popular SUV. After introducing the Bentayga originally in 2015, the versatile truck from the premiere English carmaker has seen so much success that the addition of new versions is no surprise.
While the recently introduced Bentayga Speed hopes to capture customers seeking the top of the line in SUV performance, and the Bentayga Hybrid opts for thoughtful efficiency, the Bentayga EWB is Bentley’s bid for supremacy in SUV luxury.
To start, EWB stands for extended wheelbase. While that literal choice for a name might not invoke luxury the way Speed invokes performance, understanding that the additional square footage afforded the Bentayga by the supersizing of the car’s frame allows Bentley to squeeze in more bells, whistles and creature comforts than any previous iteration.
As expected, the Bentayga EWB’s list of luxury features is exhausting and many of them are focused on the passenger rear seats, indicating that the EWB is a car meant for their owners to be driven in, where the rest of the Bentayga lineup is meant to be driven.
Solidifying that idea is the fact that the extension of the EWB is all in the rear cabin. Plush rear dual captains seats with a heavy duty console that flips up to become a fifth seat are where it all begins. Within those seats are extensive massaging systems that can adjust 177 pressure changes over six zones that can create a three hour massage routine for longer journeys.
Rear seat passengers also enjoy pop-out footrests, a robust entertainment system, removable touchscreen tablet for complete climate control, automatic seat cooling and heating based on body temperature sensing, auto-closing rear doors and a new air ionization system. Bentley is using the EWB to showcase a new philosophy that wellbeing and luxury go hand in hand.
All of these creature comforts are built into the plush interior that has been a hallmark of Bentleys for the better portion of their 102-year history. Highly customizable and featuring all-new LED diamond illumination trim paneling makes the back seat of the Bentayga EWB even more luxurious than any car coming from the Crewe factory. Bentley is intentionally putting the Rolls-Royce Cullinan in its sights with this offering and blowing their former partner’s SUV away in the process.
Make no mistake though, the Bentayga EWB is still a Bentley at the end of the day and a Bentley is meant to be driven. The EWB might be longer and boast more cabin space but it can move its oversized ass with pleasure and ease thanks to the 4.0-liter turbo V8 engine. The rear wheels are also able to turn, making the larger body extremely maneuverable despite its stretched size and similar to the experience of the Bentaygas that are already on the road.
Coming in Q4 of 2022, Bentley will initially offer the Bentayga EWB in two different flavors. One is the Azure, a more conventional take on the Bentayga with 22” rims, bright lower grilles and Azure badging. Then there’s the First Edition, which features the diamond illumination in the trim, NAIM audio sound system and unique embroidery and badging for an even higher level of luxury.
Bentley expects the Bentayga EWB to be one of the biggest launches for the company yet. They’re likely to be right.
