In 2022, towards the end of the summer, Bentley motors gave me a rare opportunity to borrow a press car that was no longer in production. Whilst it might not seem like an immediately unusual gesture, this move from any manufacturer is actually quite scarce as the general purpose for lending cars to people like me is done so in the hope that we will write nice things, say nice things and capture pretty pictures and videos that will hopefully influence dealership enquiries being made and order deposits to be paid. Except, that was never going to be an option with the Bentley Mulsanne I borrowed in September ‘22, as it's no longer on the production line in Crewe. It hasn't been since June 2020, and the only people buying them now are doing so as approved used limousines. I did, however, borrow it for a good reason - I wanted to send it off in a fitting tribute as the old flagship and 'Bentley's Last True Limousene', and so I did with this video:

Bentley has always been synonymous with the mantra of producing cars to drive and be driven in. Flagship models for the brand since the 1960s have been extended, sleek limousines in the form of the Continental, Arnage and later, the much-fabled Mulsanne. But in the summer of 2020, it all ended for the Mulsanne, the reigns for the limousine were handed over to the continental flying spur, and the focus for a future best-seller flagship model was all placed on the Bentayga, Bentley's initially controversial SUV, which first made an appearance in 2015. 

If we cast our minds back to 2015, the arrival of Bentley's first SUV was to be expected. After all, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes had been dominating the new market of luxurious large vehicles taking inspiration from the Land Rover Range Rover. Like it or not, SUVs sell; for Porsche, the Cayenne arguably saved the marque and having seen the success, there was no way Porsche's competitors would sit back and not have a go at it themselves. 

It's the power of the consumer that has brought us to where we are now. Bentley has predicted that almost half of its new car sales within the next 12-24 months will be a Bentayga EWB. So, if you're not overly enthused by the idea of a flagship Bentley in the form of an SUV, I'm afraid (like me) you're in the minority. 

Bentley Bentayga EWB Technical Stats (as tested):
Price including options: £211,300
Powertrain: 4.0-Litre twin-turbocharged V8 (petrol) with ZF eight-speed gearbox 
Performance (power): 550PS / 542BHP / 404 kW at 6000rpm
Performance (speed): 0-60mph: 4.5 seconds. 0-100mph: 10.0 seconds. Top Speed: 180mph
Torque: 770 Nm / 568 lb. ft at 6000rpm
Size & Weight: 5305mm long. 2222mm wide. 1739mm high. 2514 kg
Wheelbase & Track: Wheelbase front to back: 3175mm. Front track 1689mm. Rear track: 1707mm
Fuel Capacity & Economy: Economy at best: 23.9MPG / economy at worst: 13.5MPG. Fuel capacity: 85 litres. Range: 406.4 miles.
Interior Space & Storage: Front legroom: 1058mm. Rear Legroom 1707mm. Front headroom: 976mm. Rear headroom: 976mm. Boot vol: 392 litres. 
Additional features: Four-wheel steering. Four-cylinder shutdown/fuel deactivation at light load for added economy. Night vision. Traffic sign recognition. Heads-up display. Park assist. 

The Bentayga EWB seems to defy logic and expectations, thanks to some mechanical engineering wizardry. The power delivery gives the illusion of a car that weighs half of what it does in reality when accelerating and feels reassuringly planted while enjoying some spirited cornering too. The torque band is linear and consistent yet variable in terms of how firmly you press on the throttle; minor adjustments in acceleration don't unsettle the car, and thanks to the geometric trickery, the Torsen centre differential and electronically controlled rear differential, everything is kept in check with minimal fuss.

What does live up to expectations is the fit, finish and feel. The Bentayga EWB has been thought about in supreme detail, from concept to engineering to production. All touchpoints are almost unnoticeable through convenience. Everything works without recognising any faults or unwanted quirks. Physical buttons and twistable switches exist where other manufacturers would otherwise opt for cheaper haptic touchscreen panels. Ionic air conditioning removes unwanted particles, meaning you, as the driver and passenger, breathe nothing but purified air. The front and back seats are now 'smart' with sensors built in to regulate humidity and temperature, all whilst enjoying a variety of massage choices controlled either by physical buttons on the seats or via the touchscreen built into the centre console.

Whilst sat in the back seats, a removable tablet controls all aspects of comfort and entertainment. Everything from choosing a seating position to choosing what Netflix show to watch on the television screens is easily controlled at the touch of a button. And if you enjoy entertainment, the 1720-watt Naim by Bentley sound system certainly does the job with its 20 speakers. For additional privacy, wireless headphones are also included for each rear passenger, allowing uninterrupted viewing/listening enjoyment. 

As I've concluded in my video review, the Bentayga EWB is at risk of forcing me to eat my own words. Whilst driving the Mulsanne, I protested that a flagship model Bentley couldn't possibly be an SUV, yet here I am singing the praises of precisely that. I will, however, stand by my words and insist that for me personally, a Bentley flagship should always be a limousine; however, I do so with altered expectations of what I'd assumed would be the result of 7 days with an extended wheelbase SUV. It is a marvellous thing. 

Enjoy our video review of the Bentley Bentayga EWB on YouTube for a closer look at what makes it such a special (flagship) car.

Words: John Marcar
Pictures: Richard Fullbrook
Special thanks to Bentley Motors