Since its introduction in 2015, Bentley’s Bentayga has become a benchmark in the luxury SUV class with an increasingly refined model range with each new year. And while we’ve seen numerous tweaks, upgrades, and new features bestowed upon the Bentayga lineup, Bentley has now unveiled its most significant update in the nameplate’s seven-year history with the release of a brand-new model: the Bentayga Extended Wheelbase (EWB).
Bentley’s Bentayga EWB range sees the original SUV’s wheelbase stretched by 180mm (7”), resulting in a larger, more luxurious grand touring vehicle. Despite the longer wheelbase, the use of rear-wheel steering and Bentley Dynamic Ride allows the vehicle to “virtually shorten” its wheelbase depending on speed and turning radius — ultimately affording driving characteristics that are remarkably similar to the existing Bentayga V8. Born out of a nearly four-year development process, the Bentayga EWB also sports more than 2,500 new parts, reinforcing that this is a new model for Bentley and not just a longer Bentayga. At the heart of the new Bentagya EWB is Bentley’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and good for 542hp, 568ft-lbs of torque, a 4.5-second 0-60mph time, and a top speed of 180mph — making it one of the fastest SUVs in production.
In addition to the cabin boasting better sound insulation, the interior of the SUV also benefits from new craftsmanship elements, finer quilted sewing threads, the first-ever application of Bentley Diamond Illumination, and the world’s first auto climate sensing seats with an advanced postural adjustment system. The EWB is also offered in a trio of seating configurations, with four and five-seat versions, as well as an all-new 4+1 layout. The new model range also gets a repositioned panoramic sunroof, 22” 10-spoke wheels, and a Flying Spur-inspired Vertical Vane Grille design. The model will also initially be offered in three versions: the Bentayga EWB base model, the Bentayga EWB Azure, and the LE First Edition.
The 2023 Bentley Bentayag Extended Wheelbase range is scheduled to begin deliveries in the last quarter of 2022. While prices have yet to be revealed, we anticipate an MSRP well into six-figure territory.
