I felt like there were no reasons for Bentley owners to be longing for an EV from the British marque. But if you do, well, there’s good news. Bentley has recently unveiled the all-new Bentley Torcal, the British automaker’s first-ever all-electric vehicle.
The Torcal also marks the brand’s fourth model line, btw. So, yeah, Bentley enthusiasts, your wait is finally over. You can now erase the blasphemous thoughts about getting a Spectre. Albeit, the Torcal is not a two-door luxury coupe like the spiritual successor to the Rolls-Royce Wraith. Then again, it offers SUV practicality without sacrificing its inner beast.
We are talking about a pair of permanent-magnet synchronous motors delivering up to 888 PS (876 hp) and 1,350 Nm (996 lb-ft) of torque in the Torcal S with Launch Control active. That’s the highest torque figure of any Bentley ever made, enough to send this luxury SUV from 0–60 mph in 2.8 seconds, or 0–100 km/h in 2.9 seconds. Top speed is 162 mph (260 km/h). Your luggage probably wasn’t expecting that—and neither was your family.
Two Versions, Both Rather Impatient
The regular Torcal is hardly the sensible, slow one. It serves up 821 PS (810 hp) and 1,194 Nm (881 lb-ft), reaching 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
Bentley says it deliberately stopped short of more extreme acceleration because customers can find that uncomfortable. A thoughtful gesture from a company already offering to rearrange your breakfast in under three seconds.
Both versions use an 800 V battery with 192 lithium-ion pouch cells and 113 kWh of usable capacity. Claimed range reaches 375 miles (600 km WLTP), while 400 kW charging can add approximately 100 miles (161 km) in seven minutes. The battery carries a ten-year, 100,000-mile (161,000 km) warranty.
A Beast With Very Good Manners
Bentley’s first fully active suspension works with adaptive two-valve dampers, independently adjusting each corner to manage comfort and body movement. It also does away with conventional anti-roll bars. Standard all-wheel steering turns the rear wheels by up to five degrees, helping reduce the turning circle to 11.1 meters (36.4 feet).
Useful, because the Torcal measures five meters (16.4 feet) long. That makes it Bentley’s shortest four-door, which tells you quite a bit about Bentley’s interpretation of “short.”
There’s a 460-liter (16.2-cu-ft) boot and another 90 liters (3.2 cu ft) of storage up front. The rear bench seats three and introduces powered folding to Bentley. Yes, this one can accommodate the less glamorous parts of luxury ownership, such as collecting something you bought.
The Engine Has Left, but the Band Is Here
An electric Bentley still needs a little theater. Rather than simply imitate an engine, Bentley enlisted musicians to create its Dynamic Symphony using drums, viola, and bass guitar, inspired by the rhythm of its 6¾-liter V8.
The soundtrack responds to speed and torque demand, gets louder in Sport mode, and can be switched off. You may now choose between Bentley with a backing band and Bentley with blessed silence.
Even the indicators have a handcrafted sound: a hammer striking leather, recorded in Bentley’s upholstery workshop. Touchscreen and digital-assistant sounds come from crystal glass. Ordinary electronic beeps were evidently not invited.
For actual music, the standard system has 16 speakers and 620 W. The optional Naim setup brings 28 speakers, 1,780 W, Dolby Atmos 7.1, front headrest speakers, and seat shakers. The musicians have somewhere very comfortable to perform.
Still a Bentley Inside
Physical controls remain on the center console and steering wheel, alongside curved OLED screens and an augmented-reality head-up display. Standard seats offer 16-way adjustment, heating, ventilation, adjustable bolsters, and massage. Optional wellness features add automatic posture and climate adjustments, with massage extending to your legs.
Materials include a new 100% Merino wool automotive fabric developed with Fox Brothers, olive-tanned leather, and Mulliner’s Ombré Walnut, made using walnut off-cuts and recycled paper. Bentley has found another use for wood scraps, and it is considerably fancier than kindling.
Four radar-controlled powered doors can open and close themselves. Buckling your seat belt can close a passenger door; pressing the brake pedal can close the driver’s. There’s also remote parking, a switchable-glass sunroof, and assistance that can reverse the car to a suitable passing point on a narrow road.
The S adds black exterior trim, darker rear lamps, red brake calipers, sportier body details, and its own interior treatment. Both are designed, engineered, and built in Crewe.
Pricing and delivery dates aren’t given in the supplied announcement. For now, the important thing is that Bentley’s first EV arrives with proper Bentley priorities: effortless speed, elaborate craftsmanship, and even a bespoke noise for telling people you’re turning left. Meanwhile, you may have fun configuring one over bentleymotors.com.
Images: Bentley.
