Bentley Torcal: this is the first electric SUV from the British luxury carmaker

Bentley has recently unveiled the Torcal, its first fully electric model. It is a luxury SUV built on the PPE platform of the Volkswagen Group, sharing its battery and 800-volt architecture with the electric Cayenne from Porsche.

The Torcal made its debut in London as the fourth product line, alongside the Bentayga, the Continental GT/GTC and the Flying Spur. Until now, Bentley had only offered combustion and hybrid engines across its range. With the Torcal, the British firm fully enters the world of electric propulsion.

As for its technical specifications, it is worth noting that the all-wheel-drive system it uses is not an exclusive development, but part of the same 800 V architecture first introduced on the electric Macan and taken further by the Cayenne Electric. The Torcal adopts its 113 kWh battery and sits, in terms of power, above the Cayenne S Electric and below the Turbo Electric. That positioning is deliberate: Bentley seeks strength and refinement, not an excessively sporty character.

One version for each type of customer

The Torcal will be available in two versions. The entry-level version delivers 604 kW and 1,194 Nm, while the S rises to 653 kW and 1,350 Nm. The 0-100 km/h sprint takes 3.4 and 2.9 seconds, respectively, with top speeds of 250 and 260 km/h. The S’s torque is the highest Bentley has ever offered. Two permanent-magnet synchronous motors drive each axle. At the front there is an open differential; at the rear, a self-locking one with multi-plate clutches.

The 192-cell battery accepts up to 400 kW DC charging and goes from 10 to 80 percent charge in 16 minutes. The warranty covers ten years or 160,000 kilometres. The WLTP range of the S version stands at 600 km.

Comfort is the priority for Bentley. For this reason, four-wheel steering is included, and adaptive active suspension with dual-valve dampers, a first for a Bentley, allows each wheel to be raised or lowered independently. There are four driving modes. Steel brakes come as standard; silicon carbide ceramic brakes are optional.

Luxury inside and out

Looking at its design, it retains the long bonnet and the imposing grille. Inside, physical controls are kept, along with materials such as leather, wool and aluminium, and a panoramic roof with ambient lighting. The newly designed front seats offer 16 electric adjustments, climate control, adjustable side bolsters and massage. At the rear, the three-seat bench folds down electrically. The boot offers 460 litres. Wheels start at 21 inches on the base version and 22 inches on the S.

The driver-assistance package relies on 25 sensors and cameras. All four doors open and close automatically: the seatbelt, the screen or the brake pedal are enough to close them.

Finally, it should be noted that the Torcal will be built in Crewe, in a historic building adapted for assembling electric models. In the United Kingdom the starting price is around £173,300 – roughly 201,410 euros at current exchange rates.