Bentley Torcal: First Drive in the Brand’s New EV
▼ Summary
– Bentley is preparing to reveal its first battery-electric vehicle, the Torcal, which marks a shift from its traditional combustion engine lineup.
– The Torcal shares significant engineering with the Porsche Cayenne EV but features unique Bentley tuning and a shorter exterior length of 5 meters.
– Target performance includes over 850 PS of power and more than 1000 newton-meters of torque, prioritizing effortless linear acceleration over four-figure horsepower figures.
– The vehicle aims for an EPA range of 300 miles and supports 400 kW DC fast-charging, fitting into the high-end sports SUV segment.
– Pre-production testing is currently underway in the US, with product line director Martin Page emphasizing comfort and accessible potential as key design principles.
Bentley is preparing to unveil its first fully battery-electric vehicle, marking a significant shift for the luxury automaker. While the brand has long integrated electric motors into its lineup through plug-in hybrids, including the recent replacement of the Continental GT’s W12 engine with a hybrid V8, this new model represents a departure from combustion entirely. The upcoming Torcal SUV embodies the essence of electric propulsion, leveraging instant torque to deliver the effortless performance that defines the marque.
The prototype tested in Monterey, California, was shrouded in multi-hued camouflage and clad in protective plastic. Despite its disguised exterior, the vehicle’s dimensions are distinct from the current Bentayga. It measures 5 meters (16 feet, 5 inches) in length, making it shorter and lower than its predecessor. However, the interior remains spacious, benefiting from the packaging efficiency inherent to electric vehicle architecture. The Torcal shares fundamental engineering platforms with the upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV, though Bentley has reworked these components to meet its specific luxury standards.
Performance targets include an EPA range of 300 miles (482 km) and up to 600 km under WLTP testing cycles. Fast-charging capabilities will support rates of 400 kW via DC connections. While power figures will not reach four-digit horsepower levels, the emphasis remains on torque delivery and refined driving dynamics.
“We’ll be well over a thousand newton-meters of torque [737 lb-ft], which is one of the sort of enabling pillars of the technology, which is fantastic. There’ll be over 850 PS [838 hp/625 kW], but we’re not chasing four figures,” said Martin Page, product line director for the Torcal.
Page emphasized that the vehicle’s tuning prioritizes smoothness and accessibility over raw speed metrics. He explained the philosophy behind the calibration during a drive around Pebble Beach in a preproduction unit undergoing US localization testing: “Our calibration for the linear performance of the car has been focused on how do we make the progression feel effortless, feel, again, confidence-inspiring, and we feel at the limit of comfort for our customers so that, again, they feel like they can access the full potential of the car on a regular basis. And that’s been the kind of guiding principle throughout, is that access to it.”
Ars Technica covered this event as part of a press trip provided by Bentley, which included flights from Washington, DC, and accommodation in Monterey. The publication maintains a strict policy against accepting paid editorial content.
(Source: Ars Technica)
