Bentley Torcal Revealed: First Electric Bentley Produces 876hp & An Unusual Soundtrack

Bentley has revealed the Torcal, its first fully electric car. The five-metre SUV becomes the brand’s fourth model line and arrives in two versions: the Torcal and the more powerful Torcal S.

The S produces 876hp and 1,350Nm, making it the most powerful production Bentley yet. The figures are impressive. The real test is whether an electric SUV can deliver the comfort, obsessive attention to detail, and effortless pace that make a Bentley feel like a Bentley.

What Does The Bentley Torcal Look Like?

The Torcal is a low, sleek SUV with a long bonnet, short overhangs and broad rear haunches. Bentley has kept the strong front end and generous proportions that give its cars their presence, while giving this new model a more aggressive shape. At five metres long, it is the shortest four-door Bentley in the range.

Its illuminated grille contains 76 hand-applied LED diamonds. Bentley says the lighting takes inspiration from earlier cars, including the Continental T, while the uncluttered rear develops an idea first shown on the EXP 15 concept. The Torcal is also the first production model to wear Bentley’s redesigned emblem.

The standard car gets 21-inch wheels, while the S has 22-inch wheels and a darker look. Black badges and exterior trim, dark rear lamps, a diffuser, sports sills and red brake calipers make it easy to tell which version has pulled up.

Bentley Torcal Performance

Both versions use two electric motors and all-wheel drive. The S’s peak output is available with Launch Control active.

Bentley has put as much effort into managing that performance as producing it. The Torcal is the first Bentley with fully active suspension. Its individually controlled dampers respond to road and driver inputs, aiming to keep the body settled without making the ride harsh. Rear-wheel steering is standard; the rear wheels turn by up to five degrees, helping give this substantial SUV an 11.1-metre turning circle.

Standard front brake discs measure 420mm, with optional carbon ceramic brakes increasing them to 440mm. Bentley is making a familiar promise here: enormous pace when you ask for it, followed by a calm journey when you don’t. We will need a drive to find out how well the Torcal delivers on both halves.

Range, Charging And Practicality

A 113kWh usable battery capacity gives the Torcal a claimed range of up to 600km on the WLTP cycle. Its 800V system supports DC charging at up to 400kW. Bentley says a suitable charger can add around 161km of range in seven minutes, while a 10–80% charge takes less than 20 minutes under suitable conditions.

Those are promising figures for a luxury SUV, though actual range and charging speed will depend on the journey, battery conditions and available charger. The battery carries a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. There is a 460-litre boot at the rear and another 90 litres of storage under the bonnet. 

Inside The Torcal: Wool, Walnut And Proper Buttons

Bentley has fitted curved OLED displays, but it has also kept physical controls on the steering wheel and centre console. Knurled switches and the brand’s familiar bullseye air vents sit alongside the screens. In a car built around touch and texture, those details matter. The cabin also introduces new materials and comfort features:

• 16-way adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation and massage as standard
• Optional seat systems that adjust pressure and temperature during a journey
• 100% Merino wool automotive fabric developed with British textile maker Fox Brothers
• Mulliner’s Ombré Walnut veneer, made using up to 1,000 layers of walnut offcuts and recycled paper

Bentley Gives Its First EV A Soundtrack Made By Musicians

An electric motor cannot give the Torcal the beat of a Bentley V8. Instead of playing a recording of an engine, Bentley asked musicians to create an original sound inspired by the rhythm of its 6¾-litre V8. Drums, viola and bass guitar contribute to what the company calls the Bentley Dynamic Symphony.

The soundtrack changes with vehicle speed and the driver’s demand for power. It becomes more prominent in Sport mode and can be switched off entirely. The aim is to give the driver audible feedback and some of the emotion Bentley associates with its combustion cars. Whether it feels natural from the driver’s seat is one of the Torcal’s most interesting unanswered questions.

Bentley has paid similar attention to smaller sounds. The indicator note comes from a recording of a hammer striking leather in its upholstery workshop; a crystal glass provided the sound used for touchscreen and digital-assistant responses. For music, buyers get a standard 620W, 16-speaker system or an optional 1,780W, 28-speaker Naim setup.

Bentley Torcal UAE Price And Availability

Bentley has not announced a UAE price or local arrival date for the Torcal. However, given that the UAE is one of the most important markets for the British brand, it is expected to arrive soon. 

Editor’s Take

The Torcal S’s 876hp will earn the headlines, but Bentley’s first EV will be judged on quieter things: how it rides over an imperfect road, how naturally it delivers that enormous torque and whether the cabin feels special after the screens are switched off. The active suspension and rear-wheel steering suggest Bentley understands that straight-line speed alone will not settle the argument.

The musician-made soundtrack is the boldest gamble. It could add welcome character, or owners may prefer to turn it off and enjoy the silence. Either way, Bentley has given us plenty to look forward to when the Torcal reaches the UAE.

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