Bentley has officially entered the fully electric era with the new Torcal, a five-meter luxury SUV that becomes the British marque’s fourth model line and its first production model powered entirely by electricity.
Unveiled in London on September 23, the Torcal joins the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga in Bentley’s lineup. Rather than replacing the Bentayga, it expands the range with a dedicated electric model while the company continues to offer combustion and hybrid powertrains.
More importantly, Bentley describes the Torcal as a template for future models. The company is using it to explore how its traditional combination of performance, comfort and handcrafted luxury can translate into an electric vehicle.
There is certainly no shortage of performance. The standard Torcal produces 821 hp and 1,194 Nm from two permanent-magnet electric motors. It can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h.
The Torcal S increases that output to 888 hp and 1,350 Nm with Launch Control activated. It cuts the 0-100 km/h run to 2.9 seconds and raises top speed to 260 km/h.
Interestingly, Bentley says outright acceleration was not the sole objective. Its engineers deliberately focused on making the performance progressive and accessible, noting that excessively violent acceleration can be uncomfortable for many luxury-car customers.
The chassis is therefore just as important as the powertrain. The Torcal is the first Bentley to feature fully active suspension, with independently controlled dampers capable of responding to road and driver inputs. The system also removes the need for conventional anti-roll bars. Rear-wheel steering is standard, with up to five degrees of steering angle at the rear helping bring the turning circle down to 11.1 meters.
The Torcal uses an 800-volt electrical architecture and a 113-kWh battery. Bentley claims up to 600 km of driving range. At a 400-kW charger, the battery can be replenished from 10 to 80% in just under 20 minutes, while approximately 161 km of range can be added in seven minutes.
Inside, Bentley has retained its emphasis on traditional materials while adding new sustainable options. One of the more interesting additions is a 100% Merino wool automotive fabric developed with British textile maker Fox Brothers. New wood and aluminum finishes join the usual leather, while Bentley has also incorporated advanced seating, climate and massage functions.
The company has taken a similarly unconventional approach to the lack of an engine soundtrack. Its Bentley Dynamic Symphony uses recordings of real instruments, including drums, viola and bass guitar, to create a sound inspired by the rhythm of Bentley’s V8 engines. The system responds to vehicle speed and torque demand and can be switched off.
The Torcal also brings extensive driver-assistance technology, supported by 25 radars, sensors and cameras. At the same time, Bentley has retained physical controls for functions that drivers and passengers are likely to use regularly.
Production takes place at Bentley’s Crewe facility in the UK, with the Torcal supported by a network of British suppliers.
The significance of the Torcal goes beyond its numbers. Bentley has now put a fully electric model into production while attempting to preserve the comfort, craftsmanship and sense of occasion that define the brand. How successfully that formula translates to customers will ultimately be determined on the road, but the Torcal marks a substantial change in direction for Bentley.
Autocar’s Take
The Bentley Torcal is interesting because Bentley has not simply taken its existing formula and swapped the engine for an electric motor. The company appears to have treated electrification as an opportunity to rethink how a Bentley delivers performance, comfort and luxury. The 888 hp figure is attention-grabbing, but the active suspension, 600-km range and 400-kW charging capability are arguably more relevant to the people who will actually use the car.
Bentley’s decision to create a human-generated soundscape instead of simply mimicking an engine note is something to talk about, as well. It’s still unmistakably a luxury Bentley, just one built around a very different mechanical foundation.
