Bentley has unveiled its first fully electric vehicle, as the new Torcal makes its global debut in London .
Designed, engineered and constructed at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, the luxury SUV expands the British marque’s range to four distinct vehicles.
Bentley customers could already choose between petrol or hybrid powertrains, but the Torcal finally adds the option of electric propulsion.
Given the ongoing success of the Bentley Bentayga SUV, first launched in 2015, along with a growing demand for electric crossovers, the Torcal seems an obvious route for the company to take.
Speaking at its debut, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, chairman and CEO of Bentley 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.”
Inspired by classic Bentleys
The Torcal’s bold design is said to pay tribute to classic Bentley models, including the Continental T with its prominent rectangular front grille.
Design director Robin Page, who led the in-house team that shaped the Torcal, said: “When we design a Bentley, we consider how people naturally perceive an object. You don’t experience a car all at once”.
This began with the Torcal’s proportions, which consist of a long wheelbase with short overhangs, plus an elongated bonnet and illuminated front grille with diamond elements.
The car’s haunches are equally distinctive, with hints of Continental GT and Bentayga, creating what the design team calls a ‘resting beast stance’, symbolising the strength and power beneath.
The Torcal also becomes the first model to make use of Bentley’s modernised logo, revealed in 2025.
More torque than any other Bentley
As the first fully electric Bentley, the Torcal features a dual-motor setup producing 888hp in sportier S specification.
Despite its history of bruising V8-powered models, the Torcal S boasts the highest torque figure of any Bentley ever produced, with a maximum of 995lb ft.
Deploying this sees the Torcal S sprint from 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds. Bentley says it could have made the big SUV even faster, but customers find acceleration more extreme than this an ‘uncomfortable’ experience.
The standard EV makes do with ‘just’ 821hp and 881lb ft of torque, lengthening the 0-62mph time to 3.4 seconds. It also has a 155mph top speed, compared to 162mph for the Torcal S.
Active suspension and all-wheel steering
An 800-volt 113kWh battery pack is fitted as standard to the Torcal, with the potential for a combined driving range of 375 miles.
Charging with a suitable 400kW DC device can see the cells replenished from 10 to 80 percent in just 16 minutes.
The Torcal also introduces fully active suspension for the first time on a Bentley, alongside all-wheel steering to aid manoeuvrability.
Iron brake discs (420mm at the front) are standard, or customers can upgrade to carbon silicon carbide brakes with 440mm front rotors if desired.
World-first Merino wool upholstery option
At five metres in length, the Torcal is shorter than the Bentayga SUV, but still offers seating for five. The three-seat rear bench incorporates a power-folding mechanism for the first time in a Bentley.
Boot capacity is 460 litres, combined with 90 litres of extra storage in the under-bonnet ‘frunk’ for good measure.
A curved OLED central touchscreen is one of the standout features of the Torcal’s interior, along with a reinterpreted version of Bentley’s ‘bullseye’ air vents and knurled aluminium detailing.
In collaboration with Somerset-based Fox Brothers, Bentley has developed the world’s first Merino Wool fabric suitable for use in a car.
The Mulliner bespoke department has also crafted a new Ombre Walnut trim. Alternatively, buyers can choose Sunburst Aluminium, inspired by the engine-turned dashboards of classic Bentleys.
A 620W 16-speaker sound system is fitted, with a 28-speaker Naim setup is on the options list. The latter boasts 1,780W of power, front headrest speakers and Dolby Atmos 7.1 technology.
Still a Bentley at heart
There may not be a thumping V8 beneath the bonnet, but Bentley has used the beat of its classic 6.75-litre engine to inspire a new EV soundtrack played through the speakers. Engaging Sport mode sees the ‘human-made’ noise increased, but it can be turned off.
The indicator sound for the Torcal was created by recording a hammer striking leather in Bentley’s upholstery workshop, while the touchscreen has the note of crystal glass.
It all demonstrates the level of detail that has gone into building Bentley’s first electric vehicle, and its huge importance for the company.
As Martin Page, product line director for the Torcal, noted: “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”.
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