After a long series of years filled with concepts, spy photos and shifting electrification plans, Bentley has finally named its first production electric vehicle – the Torcal.
Namely, Torcal will have its public premiere on September 23 in London and thus open a completely new chapter for the legendary British brand. This model represents the fourth standalone line in the range, joining the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga, and will be the only fully electric car in their range.
A name inspired by nature and strength
As is already the tradition with the Bentayga, Bacalar and Batur models, Torcal also owes its name to a famous natural landmark. This time, inspiration was found in El Torcal de Antequera, a natural reserve in the south of Spain known for its limestone formations.
From Bentley, they point out another symbolism of the name, which goes all the way back to the Latin word to twistmeaning “to twist”, which is the root of the modern word for torque (torque). This subtly but clearly alludes to one of the key advantages of the electric drive – instant delivery of huge torque and impressive acceleration.
Future design and familiar platform
Although Bentley is still keeping most of the key details under wraps, it has been confirmed that the sub-five-meter-long Torcal will be positioned below the larger Bentayga in terms of dimensions. The design will draw heavily on the radical EXP 15 concept, unveiled last year, which heralded the brand’s new design language.
This means a monolithic appearance with a return to more upright front fascias, while the interior will combine traditional Bentley luxury with unusual curved screens and a multi-function steering column lever taken from Audi.
Beneath the sleek body, the Torcal will share its platform and hardware with the electric Porsche Cayenne, a strategic move within the Volkswagen Group. This means that it will be based on an advanced 800-volt architecture that allows for extremely fast charging.
According to announcements, it will be possible to add about 160 kilometers of range in just seven minutes. A battery with a net capacity of 108 kWh is expected, and the head of design Robin Paige stated that we can expect a realistic range of between 483 and 563 kilometers on a single charge, making it competitive in the luxury electric SUV segment.
Performance that sets new standards
Bentley has yet to reveal official power figures, but it is certain that standard equipment will include two electric motors and all-wheel drive. If it takes powertrains directly from its sister Porsche, the base model could have around 400 horsepower, while the most powerful version could offer a whopping 1,139 hp (850 kW). T
aqua power would launch the Torcal into the very top of the electric performance world, placing it alongside today’s fastest hypercars. Company director Frank Steffen Walliser claims that the Torcal “sets outstanding standards in every important area” and is “perhaps the most thoughtful car in the company’s history,” though he may just be thinking about how he contemplated shutting down the project every time he saw electric vehicle sales in the U.S. market decline.
In any case, it is important to emphasize that the Torcal will not replace the popular Bentayga SUV, but will be sold alongside it. Bentley has confirmed that the petrol SUV will get another generation later this decade, with the company adopting a slower and more gradual transition to full electrification.