Kind of Blue
As nearly everyone can sense, SUVs are taking over the roads. And even in the super luxury world, more new models are SUVs. And so, it is with Bentley Bentayga with their latest model, Azure. This new version is the EWB sub model. What does EWB stand for? Well, not what you might expect: extended wheelbase. One might wonder: why this modification? As indicated below, it is all about the back seats.
In the overall look, there is no debate about the brand. The grille has the Bentley classic rectangle shape, but more chrome lines instead of the more traditional small squares. The high-tech headlights are swept back. Fancy very large alloy wheels highlight the side view. In the rear area, four very large exhaust pipes are the focus. Overall, it is generally a good-looking package, and attracted some compliments.
As one would hope and expect, the interior is lined with leather of various colors with interesting stitching and wood inserts in various locations. Opening the door results in a Bentley sign highlighted on the pavement below the door. A two-tone, leather-lined steering wheel greets the driver. The front bucket seats have medium side bolstering and are generally fully adjustable and comfortable. Super tech-forward video screens are in the dash pod and in the dash center. Touch and dials handle the action in the center video. Everything from 3D navigation to three video screens showing the front, back, and 360 degrees around the SUV are available. A head up display on the windshield indicates the local speed limit and the current speed of the SUV.
But moving to the rear seats is the exciting part—and explains the extended wheelbase addition to this model. By moving the rear wheels further back, the rear doors are wider, and more importantly, the room in the rear chamber is huge with very extended legroom.
Added are two rear seats that one could picture in a first-class airline interior. Literally, the seats can be lowered and extended for the rear passengers to take a nap. Two very large video screens face the rear passengers, and another smaller screen is in the middle to control the rear temperature. A fancy center console is between the seats with two wine glass holders. Two small trays are on the back of the front seats. Interestingly, there are several lights built into the leather-lined interior of the doors. And speaking of light, the roof has a very large, tinted sunroof.
Of course, the rear area behind the rear seats provides plenty of room for carrying luggage and such. Swing your foot under the rear bumper and the lift gate pops open. Under the carpeted floor, which can be lifted, there is some additional storage.
But lest we forget, this is a performance SUV. The power plant is a 4-liter V8 with a substantial horsepower rating of 542 tied to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is swift with a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 180 mph. Even with all this power, for the most part, the power plant operates in almost total silence even when pushed. Three settings are available to control the ride and acceleration mode: sport, comfort and custom.
So, with this edition to the Bentley lineup, comfort and performance are part of the equation, and SUVs are clearly justified in the super luxury arena.
BENTLEY BENTAYGA EWB AZURE
MODEL // 4-passenger SUV POWERTRAIN // 4-liter V8, 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive PERFORMANCE // 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, top speed 180 mph FUEL MILEAGE // average 17 mpg, city 14 mpg, highway 21 mpg PRICE // $263,500, tested $309,575