Bentley CEO: “We cannot commit to a single powertrain technology”
Image: Bentley
Bentley plans to expand its portfolio with the new all-electric Torcal model. Priced at 200,000 euros, it sits at the lower end of the range. It is also intended to serve as an entry-level model to attract younger customers. Series production in Crewe, UK, is set to begin next March, with first deliveries planned for June.
Following a period of record sales fueled by the chip crisis and supply shortages, the manufacturer is now facing challenges. In China, the luxury market has shrunk, while the Middle East region has seen losses due to logistics problems. Additionally, some existing models are reaching the end of their lifecycle.
According to CEO Steffen Walliser, the focus of Volkswagen’s subsidiary is not on pure sales figures but rather on revenue and value per vehicle. In 2025, Bentley generated €2.6 billion in revenue from 10,132 vehicles sold. Despite an increasing proportion of customized models, the revenue for next year is not expected to reach last year’s level due to substantial investments in new models and the Crewe facility.
According to the company’s leadership, the focus in developing the Torcal was not on the type of propulsion system but rather on preserving classic Bentley qualities such as craftsmanship and sporty luxury. To launch it, Bentley is investing heavily in retail outlets to provide the necessary space and infrastructure in its showrooms. Demand for the luxury brand’s first electric vehicle is expected worldwide, with strong interest anticipated in Europe as well as in U.S. states like California.
"Today, electric cars have become mainstream in society," said Walliser about the brand’s first all-electric model. "People want a normal, well-functioning car that doesn’t impose any restrictions on their daily lives. There’s no longer a need or desire to differentiate through a special electric-car design." With the Torcal, it’s not the powertrain that matters most, but rather that it is unmistakably a Bentley. "Of course, we interpret the brand in a modern way, and there are hints that it’s an electric car. But that isn’t the dominant factor," explains the CEO.
Regarding propulsion technology, Bentley follows a “Luxury of Choice” strategy according to Automobilwoche — loosely translated as “Luxury means having the option to choose.” By doing so, the manufacturer deliberately emphasizes technological openness: its lineup is intended to cover all propulsion options, from internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrids to fully electric vehicles, to enable flexible responses to a volatile global landscape. “We need resilience in our offerings and cannot rely on just one propulsion technology,” explains Walliser.
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About the author
Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with experience in the automotive and financial industries. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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