New long-wheelbase model 2023 Bentley Bentayga EWB an R-R rival?

Bentley has added a long-wheelbase model to the Bentayga range, the Bentayga EWB. It offers rather more than just an extra 180mm of length in the rear door, and hence a more spacious cabin, as Bentley has chosen to raise the focus on rear passenger comfort and even ‘wellness’ by introducing new features with startling abilities.

The new Bentley Airline Seat is claimed to be the most advanced seat ever fitted to a car, with 22-way movement, a new auto-climate sensing system and postural adjustment technology. It has two modes, Relax (tilts back 40 degrees, footrest deploys from the rear of the seat in front) or Business, the most upright posture for working on the move. The auto-climate sensing function senses your temperature and surface humidity (!) and then determines whether to heat, cool or ventilate you.

Meanwhile, the postural adjustment system makes micro adjustments to your seating position and pressure points by measuring pressure across the seat surface. It can apply 177 individual pressure changes across six different pressure zones during a three-hour journey, claiming to minimise fatigue. It will be fascinating to discover how it feels in real life. This passenger-focussed role ticks several boxes for Bentley. First, it provides a car in which to be driven, something the range has lacked since the Mulsanne bowed out in 2020. Second, it extends the appeal of the Bentayga, already Bentley’s best-selling model. Third, you could argue it takes on Rolls-Royce in the uber-luxury segment for those who will not always be behind the wheel, albeit with a significant under-cut in price compared with the Phantom or Cullinan.

Seats can cool, heat and ventilate you, and even the armrests are heated With Airline seats in Relax mode, you recline 40 degrees and gain a footrest. All of the extra length is within the rear door