Bentley has officially unveiled the Torcal — its first production electric vehicle. This five-metre SUV has become the fourth standalone model line of the British marque, joining the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga families. The car was developed and assembled in Crewe on the basis of the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) from Volkswagen Group, which is also used by the Porsche Cayenne Electric.
The two launch versions — the base Torcal and the sporty Torcal S — use two permanent-magnet electric motors (one on each axle), an all-wheel-drive layout and a battery with a capacity of 113 kWh on a 800-volt architecture. WLTP range reaches 600 km. Fast charging at 400 kW allows the battery to be topped up from 10 to 80 % in 16–20 minutes. A braking system with discs of up to 440 mm and a fully active suspension with independent adjustment of each wheel are hallmarks of Bentley's approach to comfort and handling. Four-wheel steering reduces the turning radius to 11,1 metres, which is critically important for urban use.
Power ranges from 821 hp and 1194 N·m in the base version to 888 hp and 1350 N·m in the S version. The Torcal S accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h with Launch Control activated in 2,9 seconds, and its top speed is 260 km/h. The engineers deliberately capped the dynamics above that: Bentley determined that most customers perceive more aggressive acceleration as uncomfortable. Instead of the traditional sound of an electric motor, the car plays a synthesised sound inspired by the bass of Bentley's legendary V8 engine, in order to preserve the marque's recognisable character.
The Torcal's pricing reflects the ambition to make a luxury electric vehicle more accessible. In the United Kingdom the base version starts at 173 000 pounds, in the United States at 230 000 dollars. This makes the Torcal the most accessible Bentley model, designed to attract younger and new buyers. According to the company, interest is split evenly between loyal customers of the brand and those considering Bentley for the first time. Production will begin in the second quarter of 2027, and the launch of the Torcal is accompanied by an investment of 350 million pounds sterling in modernising the Crewe plant.
The exterior preserves Bentley's signature proportions with a long bonnet and powerful rear haunches, but avoids excessive aggression. The design is almost minimalist against the backdrop of the brand's other models — the front grille has turned into a luminous art installation with 76 hand-installed diamond-shaped LEDs. The interior embodies Bentley's traditional approach: 100%-way merino wool (a first in the automotive industry), natural leather, rare Ombré Walnut wood from recycled offcuts and an interior architecture with logo wings. The technology is not hidden — curved OLED screens and an augmented-reality head-up display are integrated organically, complementing rather than dominating the handcrafted materials.
The arrival of the Torcal coincides with a cautious turn by wealthy buyers regarding electric vehicles. Bentley, like other luxury brands, is in no hurry to abandon the internal combustion engine entirely — the company has pushed back its full-electrification target from 2030 to 2035. But the Torcal demonstrates that electrification can be combined with the marque's historical DNA — comfort, quality of materials and national character. It is a bet that the market is ready to accept a balance between innovation and continuity, especially when an electric luxury SUV accelerates at supercar speed while retaining silence and elegance.
