Bentley has unveiled the all-new Torcal at a global debut in London, confirming the arrival of the marque’s fourth model line. The car becomes the first Bentley with a fully electric powertrain, and its chairman, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, has described it as ‘one of the best Bentleys ever’.
Designed, engineered and built in Crewe and supported by a network of suppliers from across the UK, the Torcal represents a significant investment in British manufacturing. Walliser said the Torcal is ‘a Bentley first and foremost, created by hand by people who care’, blending heritage with the best available materials and technology.
Electric performance in the Bentley tradition
The Torcal delivers up to 888 PS and 1,350 Nm of torque, the highest torque figure of any Bentley yet made. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes as little as 2.8 seconds, yet the driving experience is described by the marque as accessible, progressive and sophisticated.
Range extends to 375 miles on the WLTP cycle, with a 10 to 80 per cent charge completed in 16 minutes at up to 400 kW. That pace equates to roughly 100 miles of range in seven minutes. The car also introduces what Bentley calls its most advanced chassis technology to date, intended to bring a new step in ride comfort and body control.
One unusual detail deserves mention. The Torcal features a handcrafted propulsion sound, performed by musicians and inspired by the beat of a Bentley 6.75 litre V8 engine, to support the driving experience.
A new design language rooted in Bentley DNA
Led by Design Director Robin Page, the in-house team at Crewe has created a low, sleek SUV that introduces a bold new design language. The proportions follow a long wheelbase and short overhangs, while echoes of the Continental T appear in the front graphics and an illuminated diamond grille.
At the rear, clean surfaces create what the design team calls the ‘prestigious shield’, a principle first explored with the EXP 15 concept car. The cabin tapers towards the rear, building over the rear wheels in a stance the team describes as the ‘resting beast’.
The same philosophy continues inside, where leather, wool, veneer and aluminium are given room to breathe across bold sheer surfaces. The diamond pattern recurs throughout, sometimes clearly expressed and elsewhere abstracted into textures and patterns. The Torcal is also the first Bentley to carry the marque’s redesigned and modernised emblem.
Seats, wheels and the luxury of choice
The new seats offer 16-way adjustment, heating, ventilation and a fresh massage function. Bentley’s Postural Adjust and Smart Seat Climate systems are available as options, while the Wellness Seat Specification extends the massage system from the squab into the cushion. At the rear, a three-occupant seat introduces a power fold system for the first time in a Bentley.
Five wheel designs are offered at launch, with a 21 inch wheel standard on the core car and a ten-twin-spoke 22 inch design on the S. The Torcal launches as both a core model and a more sporting S model, completing what Bentley calls the luxury of choice across its electric, hybrid and combustion ranges.
British manufacturing at the centre
As the company’s first fully electric model, the Torcal acts as a template for future Bentleys regardless of powertrain, from its design and technology to its materials and sustainability credentials.
With new interior materials extending the Bentley palette further than before, and a clear focus on sustainability, the Torcal signals where the Crewe marque is heading. For now, it stands as one of the most significant new Bentleys in the company’s 107 year history.