Bentley Torcal is set to become Bentley’s first fully electric production model, combining the extravagant comfort expected from the British luxury marque with performance figures that would not look out of place on a supercar.
The new electric SUV can cover up to 375 miles on a single charge, while the range topping Torcal S produces as much as 876bhp. Bentley says the fastest version can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 2.8 seconds, putting it firmly into performance car territory despite its large SUV body.
The Torcal is expected to arrive in summer 2027, with prices reportedly starting at £173,300. The more powerful Torcal S is expected to start at around £199,300.
Bentley’s electric flagship takes shape
The Torcal measures around five metres in length, making it slightly shorter than the current Bentayga. Underneath its distinctive Bentley bodywork, however, there is plenty of Volkswagen Group technology.
The SUV is based on Porsche’s Premium Platform Electric architecture, or PPE, the same broad electric vehicle platform used by Porsche for its latest generation of high performance EVs. The Torcal will share key chassis, suspension and powertrain technology with the Porsche Cayenne Electric.
Bentley has nevertheless worked hard to give the Torcal its own identity. The design takes inspiration from the EXP 15 concept and introduces a new interpretation of Bentley’s traditional styling.
At the front, the SUV features an illuminated grille, while heavily sculpted bodywork and broad rear haunches give it a muscular stance. Rather than making the electric transition visually anonymous, Bentley has attempted to retain the imposing presence associated with its combustion powered grand tourers.
876bhp and a 2.8 second sprint
Performance is one of the Torcal’s headline attractions.
The range topping S model uses a dual motor setup capable of producing up to 876bhp. Bentley says that is enough to propel the SUV from zero to 60mph in 2.8 seconds.
Those numbers place the Torcal among the quickest luxury SUVs on the market. It also highlights the performance potential of Bentley’s move into electric power, where instant motor torque can deliver startling acceleration without the need for a traditional multi speed transmission.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric is more powerful, with a reported output of up to 1,140hp, but Bentley is clearly not attempting to win a simple horsepower contest. The Torcal is being positioned as a luxury performance vehicle that happens to be electric.
Range is another major part of the package. Bentley is using a 113kWh battery, with the company targeting up to 375 miles of driving range. The battery can accept charging speeds of up to 400kW, allowing a 10 to 80 percent charge in less than 20 minutes under suitable conditions.
That combination should make the Torcal considerably more practical for long distance driving, particularly for buyers who want an electric Bentley that can be used throughout the year.
Bentley wants electric without losing the theatre
One of the more unusual aspects of the Torcal is Bentley’s approach to sound.
Electric vehicles are naturally quiet, which creates an obvious challenge for a brand whose identity has long been connected with powerful V8 and W12 engines. Bentley’s answer is the Bentley Dynamic Symphony, a specially created soundtrack designed to provide an emotional connection between the driver and the car.
Rather than simply generating an artificial engine noise, Bentley has used recordings of real instruments, including drums, viola and bass guitar. The resulting soundtrack is designed to reproduce some of the changing character and imperfections associated with a combustion engine.
The sound becomes more pronounced in Sport mode as the driver demands more performance.
Bentley has extended the same thinking to smaller details inside the cabin. The indicator sound reportedly comes from recordings of hammers striking leather in the Bentley workshop, while touchscreen sounds have been created using the sound of crystal glass.
The interior also keeps physical controls rather than relying entirely on touchscreens. Knurled switches and traditional dials are intended to reinforce the sense of craftsmanship, while a dedicated Comfort Mode reduces visual distractions.
There is even a digital detox setting designed to hide most non essential information from the driver, leaving only the information needed for the journey.
Bentley changes its electric strategy
The Torcal arrives as Bentley adjusts its wider electrification strategy.
The company previously planned to move to an all electric lineup by 2030. That target has now been abandoned in favour of offering customers a mixture of powertrain technologies.
That makes the Torcal particularly significant. It is not simply another new model in the Bentley range. It represents the company’s attempt to establish what an electric Bentley should feel and sound like while the brand continues to sell vehicles using other powertrain technologies.
If Bentley can combine the long distance ability of a large battery with the craftsmanship, performance and cabin experience expected from the marque, the Torcal could give the company a distinctive entry point into the rapidly expanding ultra luxury EV market.
For now, the key figures are certainly attention grabbing: up to 876bhp, a 2.8 second 0 to 60mph time, a claimed 375 mile range and charging at up to 400kW. The bigger question will be whether the finished car can deliver those numbers without losing the character that makes a Bentley feel like a Bentley.
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