Bentley revealed the Torcal this Tuesday, the 23rd, which represents the British brand's first fully electric automobile, boasting 107 years of history. This SUV has a starting price of R$ 1.19 million (equivalent to 173.3 thousand pounds) in the United Kingdom and is positioned as the most accessible model in the line, falling below the Bentayga.
Torcal production will begin in Crewe, England, and the first units are expected to be delivered in 2027. The Torcal joins Bentley's fourth line of models, alongside the Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Bentayga, and received an investment of R$ 2.4 billion (350 million pounds) in the factory located in England.
The launch comes with a delay, as the company had promised its first electric vehicle for 2025. Furthermore, the goal of exclusively marketing battery vehicles was postponed from 2030 to 2035 due to customer demand being lower than expected.
This SUV uses the PPE platform, developed by the Volkswagen Group, the same one used in the Porsche Cayenne Electric. It features two electric motors, one for each axle. The entry version generates 821 horsepower and can reach 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. The Torcal S version offers 888 hp and 137.7 kgfm with launch control activated, completing acceleration in 2.9 seconds and reaching a top speed of 260 km/h. The cost of the S version in the UK is R$ 1.37 million (199.3 thousand pounds).
Both configurations use a 113 kWh battery and operate on an 800V architecture, providing a range of up to 600 km in the WLTP cycle. Bentley reports that recharging from 10% to 80% takes 16 minutes when connected to a compatible DC charger. The warranty package offered covers ten years or 160,000 kilometers.
To maintain the appeal of combustion engine models, the Torcal incorporates cabin sound generated from orchestra timpani and smaller percussion. This sound is presented in an irregular rhythm simulating the ignition sequence of a V8 engine and increases in intensity during acceleration.
The SUV also features Bentley's active suspension for the first time, accompanied by various driving modes that modify the vehicle's behavior. Comfort priorities include a rear-wheel steering system, body-adjustable seats, a massage function, and a head-up display. 21-inch wheels are standard, while the S version comes equipped with 22-inch rims.
Inside, the finishes combine leather, aluminum, British wool, and walnut wood veneer, although in the S version this finish is replaced by piano black. Despite the transition to electrification, Bentley opted to keep physical buttons on the dashboard and console, alongside a 10.9-inch curved screen that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Being 12 cm shorter than the Bentayga and having a roof that is 5 cm lower over the rear seats, the Torcal was designed to attract a new consumer profile. According to Frank-Steffen Walliser, President of Bentley, approximately half of those interested in the model have never owned a brand car.