Bentley finally enters the EV fold with new Torcal
The Bentley Torcal has finally been revealed after what seemed like a long waiting period following its teaser a couple of months ago. The Torcal is Bentley’s first-ever electric model, and what it brings to the stable is really something to write home about.
First, there are two variants on offer: Torcal and Torcal S. Both use the same 113kWh battery pack that powers two e-motors (one on each axle), enabling the electric SUVs to travel up to 600km between charges.
The difference, though, is that the standard model churns 604kW, while the S raises the bar to 653kW. The torque figures are insane, too. Bentley quotes 1,194Nm and 1,350Nm, respectively. It’s a lot of torque, yes, in fact, Bentley says the S’s figure is the highest of any Bentley it has ever made. And performance? Well, there’s enough shove to launch the 5-metre luxury SUV from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds or 2.9 seconds, with the top speed kicking in at 250km/h.
In terms of recharging the battery packs, Bentley says the Torcal can be recharged from 10-80% in under 20 minutes at a 400kW DC charger. This could add around 160km in under seven minutes.
The Torcal’s design is also another talking point as it showcases Bentley’s new design language. If we were to pick aspects that we love, it would be the low, sleek SUV design, short overhangs, illuminated diamond grille and the slim LED taillights. These are unlike any illuminated lighting system we’ve seen.
The two models are also visually differentiated. The standard Torcal comes with satin-silver brightwork, a single-tone colour split and Open Pore Crown Cut Walnut. The Torcal S, meanwhile, gets a sportier treatment, with black exterior brightwork and mirror caps, darker rear lamps, a rear diffuser, sports sills and front bumper strakes. Red brake callipers, S badging, sports pedals and piano-black veneer further make it different, as well as illuminated treadplates and Bentley’s dynamic ‘waterfall’ mood lighting.
Inside, luxury takes centre stage, which is hardly surprising for anything wearing a Bentley badge. The Torcal mixes leather, wool, veneer and aluminium, but it’s the attention to detail that really makes the cabin feel special. The standard seats offer 16-way adjustment, heating, ventilation, adjustable bolsters and massage, while the optional Wellness Seat takes things a step further by massaging your legs, back and shoulders.
There’s plenty of clever stuff going on, too, including Bentley’s Merino wool interior developed with Fox Brothers, while the optional Naim audio system packs 1,780-watt 28 speakers, Dolby Atmos and seat shakers. Other features include curved OLED screens designed to make information easier to interact with, powered doors and an augmented-reality head-up display. Then there’s what Bentley calls its ‘digital detox’, which hides everything but the most important information to reduce distractions from screens.
Space is also generous, thanks to a 460-litre boot, complemented by a 90-litre frunk area.
Underneath, there’s some clever technology going on. For instance, the Torcal features a fully active suspension which responds to the road and driver inputs instantaneously and does away with normal anti-roll bars, using the active dampers to control body movement instead. There’s also electronic all-wheel steering, which will undoubtedly make the SUV far more agile than its size suggests.
Looking at the Torcal and what it brings to the stable, it looks like everything a Bentley should be. Luxurious, powerful and, judging by its clever suspension, comfortable. What stands out, though, is that the brand hasn’t treated electrification as an excuse to abandon the things that make its cars special. Until we get behind the wheel, the Torcal looks like a proper way for Bentley to enter the EV era.
