EVwire brief: Bentley has revealed the Torcal, its first fully electric model and the fourth model line in the company's history, at a global debut in London.
The Torcal comes in two versions: a core model with 821 PS and 1,194 Nm of torque, and a sportier S model with up to 888 PS and 1,350 Nm, good for 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Both get a WLTP range of up to 375 miles (600 km). Bentley says the Torcal is designed, engineered, and built at its home plant in Crewe, England.
Bentley Chairman and CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser framed the Torcal as one of the company’s best:
"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."
Inside, the dashboard keeps the shape of Bentley's traditional wing motif, wrapped in leather, wool, veneer, and aluminum, with knurled controls and reworked bullseye air vents. A new diamond pattern recurs throughout the cabin, and two Mulliner-only finishes debut alongside it: Ombré Walnut, sliced from up to 1,000 layered sheets of walnut and recycled paper, and Sunburst Aluminium, a three-way brushed dash finish.
Standard seats get 16-way adjustment, heating, ventilation, and a new massage function, with Bentley's Postural Adjust and Smart Seat Climate systems available as options. The rear's three-occupant bench adds a power-fold system, a first for a Bentley.
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Details:
The Torcal, by the numbers:
Power/torque: 821 PS / 1,194 Nm (core), 888 PS / 1,350 Nm (S, with Launch Control)
0-60 mph: 3.3 sec core, 2.8 sec S (0-100 km/h in 3.4 / 2.9 sec)
Top speed: 155 mph (250 km/h) core, 162 mph (260 km/h) S
Battery: 113 kWh net capacity, 192 lithium-ion pouch cells, 800V architecture
Range: up to 375 miles (600 km WLTP)
Charging: 10-80% in as little as 16 minutes at 400 kW, per Bentley
Chassis: fully active suspension (a first for Bentley) with no anti-roll bars, plus standard all-wheel steering and an 11.1-meter (36.4-ft) turning circle
Size: 5 meters long, the shortest four-door in Bentley's lineup, with a 460-liter boot plus 90-liter front storage
Brakes: 420 mm / 370 mm iron discs standard, or optional carbon-silicon-carbide ceramics at 440 mm / 410 mm
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Context:
Bentley has built nothing but combustion and hybrid models for over a century, so the Torcal is the company's first ground-up electric powertrain, joining the Continental, Flying Spur, and Bentayga as a fourth model line.
The car also debuts Bentley's first fully active suspension, pairing adaptive dampers that the company says remove the need for anti-roll bars entirely, each corner adjusting independently and instantly for ride and body control. Standard all-wheel steering turns the rear wheels up to five degrees, bringing the turning circle down to 11.1 meters despite the car's five-meter length.
Instead of piping in a synthesized engine note, Bentley recorded real drums, viola, and bass guitar to build what it calls the Bentley Dynamic Symphony, a soundtrack meant to echo the beat of its 6.75-liter V8 rather than imitate it outright.
Bentley hasn't announced a delivery timeline for the Torcal, though pricing is expected to start at £165,000 (about $225,000).
Source: Bentley Media
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