Following the launch of the Bentley’s Bentayga EWB range last year was the expected release of what is called the “Azure” that is a luxury and wellness focused line of the marque’s SUV range. And that long-awaited moment has finally arrived as the Bentayga EWB Azure finally hit the Malaysian market, ringing up a price tag of RM 1,091,000.00 before taxes, duties, registration and options. 

Read more about the Bentley Bentayga EWB with insights from our resident contributor, Andre Lam, here. 

At first, Bentley’s decision to replace their beloved flagship Mulsanne with the Bentayga EWB was met with shock and surprise throughout the globe. However, this bold move made total sense as a limousine-focused marque should be made larger and more spacious after all, providing utmost comfort to its passengers wherever possible. 

The EWB’s 180mm of extended length runs across the wheelbase stretch that goes into the rear cabin for that added backseat legroom. Strangely for a limo-like vehicle that is often focused on maximising passenger comfort, the exhaust note of the Bentayga EWB is more noticeable at the rear than the front. But some claims that this just hammers down that this is indeed a sportier vehicle despite it being chauffeur driven at times. Nonetheless, the Azure line seems to somewhat address this by featuring a wealth of prominent changes that are geared towards increasing cabin comfort and enhancing the overall drive experience by reducing noise, vibration and harshness of the vehicle.

Of course, as a luxury SUV, the EWB Azure has all the features you would expect from a vehicle of this caliber. There’s a top-of-the-line sound system, a panoramic sunroof that lets in plenty of natural light, and a host of safety features to keep you and your passengers protected on the road. But what really sets the EWB Azure apart is the attention to detail. Every feature is thoughtfully designed and expertly executed, creating an experience that is truly unforgettable.

Instead of the 16-way powered chairs fitted in the standard Bentayga EWB, the Azure ups this factor to a 22-way power adjustment seat, completed with the auto climate seat technology that intuitively decides whether to apply heat, ventilation or both depending on the passenger’s body temperature. In Relax mode, the seat can be reclined down by 40-degrees with a footrest available when the front passenger seat is pushed all the way forward, mimicking the comforts of a first-class airline cabin. In Business mode, the seat is inclined into the most upright position, making work on the move less taxing. 

The seating is also built with a postural adjustment system that adapts to the passenger’s seating position, fine-tuning it with micro-adjustments by detecting the pressure points placed on the seat. The system can apply 177 individual pressure changes across six fully independent pressure zones over three hours to readjust the optimum seating position that will essentially reduce stress and increase comfort during long drives.

Now on to the performance. 

With a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 550 hp and 770 Nm of torque, the Bentayga EWB Azure is no slouch when it comes to power. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, topping out at 290 km/h, which is an impressive feat given its size and weight. But even then, this luxury SUV is a dynamic standout as it is 70 to 270 kg lighter than its competitor SUVs with no real sacrifice in the room department. 

This is a vehicle that is made to be driven, and can be driven hard at that. Despite its impressive power, the EWB Azure never feels overwhelming or out of control thanks to its lower centre of gravity, a much more performance-focused chassis, and a wealth of drive-assist features that make the drive feel easy. Some further features such as the adaptive cruise control and lane centering can be added as well if buyers decide to spring for the Touring Spec option. 

All in all, the Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure is a truly impressive vehicle that offers both luxury and performance in equal measure. As Bentley cleverly puts it, this is a vehicle that can be considered as ‘a sanctuary in motion’.