London: Bentley has unveiled the all-new Torcal in London, introducing its first fully electric production model and a fourth model line alongside the luxury carmaker’s existing internal-combustion and hybrid offerings.
Designed, engineered and built in Crewe, England, the Torcal represents a major investment in British manufacturing and previews the design, technology, materials and engineering direction Bentley intends to carry into future models.
The five-metre-long electric SUV will initially be offered in two versions — the Torcal and the more powerful Torcal S. The flagship S produces up to 888 PS and 1,350 Nm of torque, making it the highest-torque Bentley produced to date.
With Launch Control active, the Torcal S can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds and from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 260 km/h.
Bentley Chairman and CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser said: “The Torcal is a Bentley first and foremost, created by hand by people who care, using the best available materials and technology to blend heritage with cutting-edge innovation. I believe this is one of the best Bentleys ever.”
At the model’s unveiling, Walliser added: “For 107 years, Bentleys have been the most incredibly complete cars – effortless performance, outstanding comfort, exquisite British handcraftsmanship using the best natural materials, and a soundtrack with soul. Our new Torcal sets extraordinary benchmarks in every area that matters.”
Up to 600 Km Range, 400 kW Charging
At the heart of the Torcal is a 113 kWh net-capacity lithium-ion battery operating at a nominal 800 volts. The battery consists of 192 pouch cells connected in series and carries a warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles.
Bentley claims a driving range of up to 375 miles, or around 600 km under the WLTP test cycle.
The electrical architecture supports charging at up to 400 kW. Bentley says approximately 100 miles, or 161 km, of additional range can be added in seven minutes under suitable conditions.
There is, however, a small discrepancy within Bentley’s own release concerning the 10-80% charging figure. Its headline specifications state 16 minutes at 400 kW, while the detailed technical section describes the same charge as taking “just under 20 minutes.”
Either way, the figures put very high charging performance near the top of Bentley’s electric agenda — useful when the traditional grand tourer’s natural habitat involves rather more than a short trip to the supermarket.
Dual-Motor Electric Powertrain
The Torcal uses two permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors, one at each axle.
The front motor operates with an open differential, while the rear axle receives a locking differential with a multi-plate clutch on each output shaft.
The standard Torcal produces 821 PS and 1,194 Nm, completing the 0-60 mph sprint in 3.3 seconds and 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 155 mph, or 250 km/h.
The Torcal S increases output to 888 PS and 1,350 Nm with Launch Control, cutting the corresponding acceleration times to 2.8 and 2.9 seconds. Its top speed rises to 162 mph, or 260 km/h.
Bentley says it deliberately avoided pursuing still more extreme acceleration because its development team concluded that performance beyond this level could become uncomfortable for many customers.
Bentley Introduces Fully Active Suspension
The Torcal also debuts what Bentley describes as its most advanced chassis technology to date.
Fully active suspension appears on a Bentley for the first time, working with adaptive two-valve dampers capable of independently raising or lowering at each corner in response to road conditions and driver inputs.
The active system replaces the need for conventional anti-roll bars, using the dampers to generate continuously adjustable anti-roll torque.
Electronic all-wheel steering is fitted as standard, with the rear wheels capable of steering by up to five degrees. This helps reduce the turning circle to 11.1 metres.
Iron brakes are standard, using 420 mm front and 370 mm rear discs. Buyers can specify Carbon Silicon Carbide ceramic brakes with 440 mm front and 410 mm rear discs.
Bentley says the Torcal has been developed to provide the comfort expected from a Flying Spur while approaching the dynamic character of a Continental GT Speed.
New Design Language for Bentley
The Torcal introduces a new exterior design direction developed by Bentley’s Crewe-based team under Design Director Robin Page.
The SUV adopts a long wheelbase, short overhangs and an upright front end, following what Bentley calls its “upright elegance” design principle.
“When we design a Bentley, we consider how people naturally perceive an object. You don’t experience a car all at once. There is a hierarchy to what you see and understand, which we describe through four ‘reads’” Page said.
The front incorporates an illuminated diamond-pattern grille and lighting elements influenced by earlier Bentley models, including the Continental T.
At the rear, the bodywork takes inspiration from the EXP 15 Concept Car. Bentley has deliberately reduced the number of unnecessary body lines, relying instead on sculpted surfaces and pronounced rear haunches to provide visual character.
The Torcal also becomes the first production model to wear Bentley’s redesigned emblem, which was revealed last year.
Five wheel designs will be offered at launch. The regular Torcal receives 21-inch wheels as standard, while the S gets 22-inch ten-twin-spoke wheels.
Familiar Bentley Cabin, New Technology
Inside, Bentley has retained some deliberately traditional elements despite the Torcal’s electric architecture.
The dashboard is inspired by the Bentley wings emblem, while leather, wool, veneer and aluminium feature prominently across the cabin. Knurled switches and redesigned bullseye air vents sit alongside digital displays.
Physical controls remain on the steering wheel and centre console rather than moving every function into the touchscreen.
The standard front seats provide 16-way electric adjustment, heating, ventilation, adjustable bolsters and massage functions.
Bentley’s Postural Adjust and Smart Seat Climate technologies will also be available, while the optional Wellness Seat Specification extends the massage system into the lower seat cushion.
For the first time in a Bentley, the three-seat rear bench also incorporates power folding.
Curved OLED Displays and Facial Recognition
Curved OLED displays form part of the Torcal’s infotainment architecture, complemented by an augmented-reality head-up display capable of placing navigation instructions and driver-assistance information into the driver’s field of view.
Facial recognition can identify the driver and automatically load preferences including seat position, steering-wheel settings and assistance-system configuration.
A smartphone can also function as the vehicle’s digital key.
Bentley says the Torcal carries 25 radars, cameras and sensors supporting its driver-assistance and parking systems.
Among the more unusual functions is an ability to retrace the vehicle’s path automatically on narrow roads if an obstacle blocks the route.
The car also supports towing assistance, garage and parallel parking functions, remote parking through an app and memorised parking manoeuvres.
Four radar-controlled powered doors can open and close automatically. The driver’s door can even be closed by pressing the brake pedal — arguably one of the more elaborate solutions yet devised for avoiding a reach towards a door handle.
Bentley Creates Its Own EV Soundtrack
One of the bigger challenges facing luxury electric-car manufacturers is replacing the emotional character once supplied rather conveniently by a large combustion engine.
Bentley has approached the issue with what it calls the Dynamic Symphony.
Rather than creating a synthetic imitation of an engine, musicians used real instruments including drums, viola and bass guitar to develop a propulsion soundtrack influenced by the rhythm of Bentley’s 6¾-litre V8.
Its intensity varies with speed, torque demand and drive mode, becoming more prominent in Sport mode. Drivers can also turn it off entirely.
Even smaller cabin sounds received unusual attention. Bentley says the indicator sound comes from a recording of a hammer striking leather in its upholstery workshop, while digital interface sounds were created using a crystal glass.
The standard audio system produces 620 watts through 16 speakers.
An optional Naim system develops 1,780 watts through 28 speakers and includes Dolby Atmos 7.1, headrest speakers and kinaesthetic seat shakers.
Four Experience Modes
Bentley has also expanded the traditional concept of drive modes.
The Torcal offers four Experience Modes — Bentley, Comfort, Sport and Refresh — which coordinate chassis responses with cabin lighting, sound, climate control, airflow and digital displays.
Bentley Mode is intended as the balanced everyday setting.
Comfort reduces distractions and can minimise non-essential information on the displays, while Sport sharpens the vehicle’s responses and increases the intensity of the Dynamic Symphony.
Refresh increases fresh-air circulation and brightens the cabin lighting.
New Sustainable Materials
Bentley is introducing several new interior materials with the Torcal, including what it describes as the world’s first 100% Merino wool automotive fabric.
Developed with Somerset textile company Fox Brothers, the material has also received Responsible Wool Standard certification.
Another new finish, called Ombré Walnut by Mulliner, combines as many as 1,000 individually selected layers of responsibly sourced walnut off-cuts and recycled craft paper.
The layers are compressed and sliced into sheets less than one millimetre thick, producing colour transitions ranging from deep black to lighter walnut tones.
Mulliner will also offer Sunburst Aluminium, inspired by the engine-turned metal dashboards of historic Bentleys.
Customers will be able to choose from 15 leather colours, 15 corresponding Dinamica shades, five Merino wool colours, six wood veneers, two technical finishes and six Piano finishes.
Practicality and Dimensions
Despite measuring five metres long, Bentley describes the Torcal as the shortest four-door model in its current range.
Boot capacity stands at 460 litres, complemented by another 90 litres of storage beneath the bonnet.
The combination of rear-wheel steering and an 11.1-metre turning circle is intended to improve manoeuvrability in urban environments despite the car’s overall dimensions.
A new switchable-glass roof, called Frosted Diamond, can alter the amount of light entering the cabin.
Torcal S Gets Distinctive Styling
The regular Torcal comes with satin-silver exterior brightwork, a single-tone colour treatment and Open Pore Crown Cut Walnut trim.
The Torcal S receives several darker and sportier exterior details, including black brightwork and mirror caps, darkened rear lights, a rear diffuser, sports side sills and redesigned front bumper elements.
It also gains red brake calipers, S badges, black Bentley wing badges, a dedicated interior colour and stitching pattern, sports pedals, Piano Black veneer and illuminated treadplates.
Martin Page, Product Line Director, Torcal, said: “The Torcal represents something new, and I think unique. It has been engineered with great care to ensure it remains a Bentley to its core, enhanced rather than dominated by technology – from luxury, to refinement and effortless performance – the Torcal has taken the elements that define a Bentley to extraordinary new levels.”
For Bentley, the Torcal represents more than another electric luxury SUV. It marks the point at which battery-electric propulsion becomes part of the company’s regular model portfolio rather than a technological preview. The challenge now is not simply to make an electric Bentley fast or luxurious — both appear well covered on paper — but to ensure that more than a century of Bentley character survives when the familiar combustion soundtrack is no longer doing the talking.
