Bentley talks of the car’s ability to carry two adults and their children unlimited distances, and so tacitly admits that it will only carry four adults a limited way. Even if front passengers shift as far forward as they can, rear passengers of average height will find their heads and knees tight against the trim. The biggest giveaway is the total permissible load of just 360kg, not enough for four and their luggage. But the boot is big and regularly shaped thanks to the positioning of the fuel tank in the floor.
Life is much better for those in the front. Here the cabin is just on the intimate side of claustrophobic; the high-set seat means headroom is tight but the chairs are supportive, adjustable and good looking. The dash is even better; two dramatic arches face driver and passenger, and the whole lot is trimmed in the hand-finished leather, veneer, chrome and aluminium you’d expect, including the hallmark features like bullseye air vents and organ-stop air-flow controls. The cabin ambience is one of the most important aspects of a Bentley, and Volkswagen has got it right first time.
There is a lot of switchgear – partly because there’s a lot of standard kit, including a television and satellite navigation – but it is well organized and probably preferable to an integrated, BMW iDrive-style system.
Regardless of their comparative dynamic merits, £110,000 seems reasonable for a premium badge and a very full specification when CL55s and 600s easily top £100,000 with options, and the CL65 will cost around £120,000 when it arrives in the New Year.
We averaged just 13.9mpg with a peak of only 16.1mpg, though it’s happy to make full power on cheaper 95-RON petrol.
