Is this the Mulsanne successor you were expecting?
After countless rumours and spied prototypes, Bentley has officially revealed the stretched Bentayga Extended Wheelbase (EWB) that literally builds upon the second-generation Bentayga ultra-luxury SUV.
This new model has a 180mm longer wheelbase which translates to extra rear cabin space.
There are apparently 2500 new parts in the Bentayga EWB which make up changes to the underfloor, side panels, doors and roof.
Bentley is marketing this stretched Bentayga as a spiritual successor to the now-defunct Mulsanne luxury sedan. It also offers luxurious features on par with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Mercedes-Maybach GLS.
Australian orders for the Bentayga EWB now appear to be open according to Bentley’s website, with deliveries expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2022, depending on the market.
We’ve reached out to Bentley Motors Australia to confirm if initial Australian deliveries are expected in this timeframe.
Bentley has already confirmed the Bentayga EWB isn’t available to order in EU27, UK, Switzerland, Israel, Norway, Turkey and Vietnam. This is most likely due in large part to strict emissions regulations.
At launch, the Bentayga EWB will only be available with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine producing 404kW of power and 770Nm of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This engine may sound familiar as it’s shared with its Audi RSQ8, Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne platform-mates.
Bentley says the Bentayga EWB can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 290km/h.
There’s no official word at this stage on a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or W12-powered version of the Bentayga EWB.
Just like the current-generation Flying Spur sedan, the Bentayga EWB has an electronic rear-wheel steering system that at low speeds makes the wheels turn the opposite direction to the front wheels.
This system actually makes the Bentayga EWB have a 7 per cent smaller turning circle than the standard wheelbase Bentayga.
At higher speeds the system also makes small adjustments to the rear wheels to increase high-speed stability.
There’s also an active anti-roll control system that’s powered by a 48V electrical system which was originally introduced in the regular Bentayga.
Bentley says there are “trillions” of possible specifications for the Bentayga EWB available.
Inside the Bentayga EWB there are three different seating configurations available, and as standard it comes in five-seat form.
This set-up offers 16 ways of adjustments for the two outboard rear seats, along with heating, ventilation and five different massage programs. Bentley markets the third rear seat as an “occasional middle seat”.
There’s a four-seat set-up as well that removes the rear middle seat.
Bentley says customer feedback showed a seven-seat configuration isn’t a priority as they want “space and luxury”.
There’s also a new Bentley Airline Seat specification that allows the two outboard rear seats to recline to 40 degrees. The level of seat recline can be controlled through a touchscreen remote, or in the door pocket area.
The Bentley Airline Seat specification also includes a seat automatic climate system that uses contact temperature and surface humidity sensors to modulate the seat heating and ventilation automatically.
It also brings new thigh and shoulder pockets, cushion and backrest bolster adjustment, cushion extension, electric headrest adjustment, a deployable footrest, plus additional lumbar massage pockets that continuously change the shape of the seat to ease pressure points around the body.
Bentley says the seats can provide 177 adjustments every three hours to “ensure that seat comfort is never compromised”.
There are also heated rear door and centre armrests too, which are new features to the Bentayga EWB.
Other new available features to the Bentayga EWB include special Bentley Diamond Illumination interior ambient lighting in the door panels, metal overlay in the veneer, and power closing doors.
On the outside there are 22-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels as standard, along with a grille with chrome vertical vanes.
There’s also a repositioned panoramic sunroof, due to the longer wheelbase, which moves the focus to the rear occupants. It can be adjusted through the touch screen remote or through the front cabin console.
Two “enhanced” versions of the Bentayga EWB will be available at launch – the Bentayga EWB Azure V8 and Bentayga EWB First Edition V8.
The Azure brings unique 22-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, bright lower bumper grilles, Azure embroidery and badging, unique quilted upholstery, ambient mood lighting, heated steering wheel, and more driver’s assistance aids as standard.
The First Edition adds standard Bentley Diamond Illumination, metal overlays in the veneer, Naim premium sound system, LED welcome lamps, unique embroidery and badging.
At this stage there’s no word on pricing for the Bentley Bentayga EWB, but it definitely won’t be cheap. The regular Bentayga V8 starts at just under $380,000 before on-road costs and options.
Expect a price tag near the half a million mark.
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