Bentley has just unveiled the Torcal, its first fully electric car. It’s a low, sleek SUV built in Crewe, with up to 888PS, 1350Nm of torque and a claimed 375 miles of range.
Bentley says it’s a template for every Bentley to come, whatever powertrain sits underneath. That’s a lot riding on one car, so the question is whether it’s actually any good.
Now, I haven’t driven it yet, so I can’t actually tell you if it’s the best EV in the world. What I can do is take you through the ten things you need to know before you put your order in.
1. It’s Bentley’s first EV
The Torcal joins the Continental, Flying Spur and Bentayga as Bentley’s fourth model line, and it’s the first to be fully electric.
CEO Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser calls it “one of the best Bentleys ever”, which is, well, exactly what you’d expect him to say.
More tellingly, he describes it as a template for future Bentleys, whatever their powertrain. It’s designed, engineered and built in Crewe, with a supply chain from across the UK.
2. It’s properly quick
The Torcal S makes up to 888PS and 1350Nm, the most torque of any Bentley ever. That’s enough for 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 162mph.
The entry-level ‘Core’ car has 821PS and 1194Nm, and does 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds and tops out at 155mph.
Bentley says it stopped at the S because most customers find anything more extreme uncomfortable. Which is fair enough to be honest.
Bentley also says the Torcal is as comfortable as a Flying Spur and as dynamic as a Continental GT Speed, which is quite a promise.
3. The range and charging speeds are strong
Bentley quotes up to 375 miles (600km) on the WLTP cycle from a 113kWh battery. It runs at 800V and charges at up to 400kW, adding roughly 100 miles of range in seven minutes. The battery carries a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
Bentley claims you’ll be able to charge from 10-percent to 80-percent in just 16 minutes.
4. The suspension sounds very smart
This is not only Bentley’s first EV, it’s also the first Bentley with fully active suspension. Each damper can be raised or lowered independently and instantly, reacting to both the road and your inputs.
The system replaces anti-roll bars altogether, with the dampers providing adjustable anti-roll torque instead.
Standard all-wheel steering (up to five degrees at the rear) shrinks the turning circle to 11.1 metres. Bentley is promising a “magic carpet” ride with real body control.
5. The sound is made by real musicians
All electric cars are silent, obvs, so Bentley went a different way than the usual synthetic noise. Drums, viola and bass guitar were used to create the “Bentley Dynamic Symphony”, inspired by the beat of the 6¾-litre V8, with subtle variations and deliberate imperfections left in.
It responds to torque demand and speed, gets louder in Sport, and can be switched off completely.
Even the indicator click is a hammer striking leather, recorded in Bentley’s upholstery workshop.
The touchscreen chime is a crystal glass. That could either be charming or gimmicky, and I will report back once I’ve spent time with the vehicle.
6. It’s the shortest four-door Bentley you can buy
At five metres long, it’s the most compact four-door in the range, but it still has a 460-litre boot plus a 90-litre front storage area.
The design, led by Robin Page, is low and sleek, with an illuminated diamond grille, an “endless bonnet” and what Bentley calls a “resting beast” stance over the rear wheels.
I’m a massive fan – it looks muscular, brutish, but also really modern and sleek. It’s very cool.
It’s also the first car to wear Bentley’s redesigned emblem. The only thing I’m unsure about is the large illuminated grill at the front (although that’s more of an issue for the car in front than me, the theoretical driver).
7. The interior materials are the most interesting bit
Working with Somerset weavers Fox Brothers, Bentley has developed what it says is the world’s first 100-percent Merino wool automotive fabric, and the first to be certified to the Responsible Wool Standard.
There’s also Ombré Walnut by Mulliner, made from up to 1000 layers of walnut off-cuts and recycled paper, sliced thinner than a millimetre. Sunburst Aluminium reinterprets the engine-turned dashboards of Bentleys past.
Add 15 shades of leather and six veneers, including a Cricket Ball piano finish, and the choice is huge when spec’ing your Torcal.
8. Bentley hasn’t gone all-touchscreen
Curved OLED screens and an augmented reality head-up display sit alongside physical controls (yay!) on the centre console and steering wheel, plus knurled dials and bullseye air vents.
Facial recognition loads your seat and steering wheel settings, and your phone can act as the key.
The 25 radars, sensors and cameras enable features like automatic reversing on narrow roads, remote parking via an app, and parking manoeuvres you can “train” the car to repeat.
9. It’s packed with seat and comfort tech
The standard seats have 16-way adjustment, heating, ventilation, adjustable bolsters and massage. The optional Wellness Seat Specification extends the massage into the cushion, so your legs get treated too.
The rear bench is a three-seater that power-folds, another first for Bentley.
Four radar-controlled doors open and close themselves, and there’s a Frosted Diamond switchable-glass sunroof.
For audio, you can pick a 620W, 16-speaker system, or step up to a Naim setup with 1780W, 28 speakers, Dolby Atmos, seat shakers and headrest speakers.
10. Four Experience Modes change the whole cabin
Bentley, Comfort, Sport and Refresh don’t just adjust how the car drives, they also change the lighting, sound, climate, airflow and screen content together.
Comfort even offers a “digital detox” that hides everything but the essentials, while Refresh boosts fresh air and brightens the cabin. It sounds like a great idea, to be honest.
So, is it the best EV in the world?
I can’t say yet, obviously. The specs look really impressive, it looks amazing, and the chassis technology and materials are all very ambitious. But the real test is how it drives, how comfortable the ride is, and whether it all adds up to a complete package. One thing’s for certain, I’ll be looking to get behind the wheel as soon as I can.
The Bentley Torcal will cost from £173,300 (approx. $230,000 USD) for the Core model or £199,300 for the S.
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