First electric Bentley: The Torcal steps into the spotlight
The Bentley Torcal made its world debut in London as the luxury car brand’s fourth model series, joining the existing trio of Bentayga, Continental GT/GTC, and Flying Spur. Until now, Bentley has only sold internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles, but with the Torcal, the British heritage brand is taking its first step toward a fully electric powertrain. To ease the transition for existing customers, the Torcal sounds like an internal combustion engine: the driving sound of this luxury electric car is “inspired by the sound of a Bentley 6¾-liter V8,” according to the Volkswagen subsidiary.
But to get to the point: The standard all-wheel drive system in the Bentley Torcal is not an isolated development but is integrated into Volkswagen Group’s PPE platform. The first model to feature this 800-volt architecture was the electric Porsche Macan at the beginning of 2024. However, the E-Bentley is based more on the technology of the Porsche Cayenne launched at the end of 2025, adopting elements such as its 113-kWh battery. There are differences in terms of all-wheel drive performance: With a power output of up to 653 kW, the Bentley falls above the Cayenne S Electric but below the Cayenne Turbo Electric. This positioning is typical of Bentley—its luxury cars are meant to be powerful without being overly sporty. What remains a priority for the British brand is superior comfort, premium materials, and exclusivity. More on that soon.
Bentley Torcal Arrives in Two Powertrains
The Torcal, at five meters in length, is Bentley’s shortest four-door model to date. This electric SUV will be available in two versions: a base model and a more powerful S model. The all-wheel drive system delivers 604 kW and 1,194 Nm of torque in the base model, while the Torcal S offers 653 kW and 1,350 Nm. Acceleration times correspondingly range from 2.9 seconds to 3.4 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h depending on the powertrain. Bentley specifies top speeds of 250 km/h and 260 km/h respectively.
Image: Bentley
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The British luxury brand emphasizes that the performance version boasts torque levels unmatched by any previous Bentley. The powertrain relies on two permanent magnet synchronous motors (“each with dry sump lubrication and an oil fill designed for the entire lifespan”) mounted on both axles of the vehicle. While the front motor features an open differential, the rear motor is equipped with a lock-up differential and a slotted clutch on each drive shaft.
Let’s take a closer look at the battery: Similar to the Cayenne Electric, the Torcal is equipped with a high-voltage battery with a gross capacity of 113 kWh. We explained in more detail how this battery is structured and why its cooling system is so special in our technology deep dive. The high-voltage battery consists of 192 lithium-ion pouch cells connected in series and operates at a system voltage of 800 volts. With a charging capacity of up to 400 kW, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 16 minutes. Bentley offers a ten-year or 100,000-mile warranty on the battery.
The table below shows the technical specifications of the two Bentley models compared to Porsche’s top model in the Cayenne series:
| | Bentley Torcal | Bentley Torcal S | Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Drive system | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Power | 604 kW | 653 kW | 850 kW |
| Torque | 1,194 Nm | 1,350 Nm | 1,500 Nm |
| Acceleration | 3.4 s | 2.9 s | 2.5 s |
| Top speed | 250 km/h | 260 km/h | 260 km/h |
| WLTP range | Not available | 600 km | 623 km |
| Battery capacity | 113 kWh | 113 kWh | 113 kWh |
| DC charging capacity | 400 kW | 400 kW | 400 kW |
| DC charging time 10-80% | 16 min | 16 min | 16 min |
| Price | Not available | Not available | 165,500 Euros |
Bentley’s developers have placed great emphasis on driving comfort, according to the brand. The foundation for smooth road handling is provided by electronic all-wheel steering and a fully active suspension system with adaptive two-valve dampers (“a first in a Bentley”), which delivers a customized suspension characteristic for each driving mode. “The dampers […] respond to both road conditions and the driver’s inputs, thereby offering maximum driving comfort and precise vehicle control,” says the VW subsidiary. The result is significantly reduced body roll.
To access the aforementioned suspension characteristics, a total of four pre-configured driving modes are available. Regarding brakes, the Torcal comes standard with a steel brake system, but an optional carbon-silicon carbide (CSiC) ceramic brake system is also available. Both systems are offered with brakes in different colors.
Unmistakably distinctive in appearance: “A true Bentley”
This leads us to the design of the Torcal, which naturally features certain traditional elements typical of Bentley, such as the long, angular hood with its distinctive radiator grille. This “proud front end,” as the Brits put it, is also carried over to the first electric Bentley. Nevertheless, design director Robin Page speaks of introducing a new language of design within the brand’s guidelines. The goal with the Torcal was to create a particularly flat and elegant SUV that reinterprets the brand’s DNA through, among other things, innovative lighting technology. The rear end appears almost minimalist compared to the front—a design principle first tested on the EXP 15 concept. It’s worth noting that the Torcal is the first Bentley to feature the brand emblem redesigned in 2025.
Inside, customers still find the dashboard inspired by Bentley’s wings—featuring ribbed control elements and new air vents. According to Bentley, physical buttons are intentionally retained in the center console and on the steering wheel. A customizable panoramic roof provides lighting. In terms of materials, leather, wool, and aluminum are used inside. The seats of the Torcal were completely redesigned by the developers: they come standard with 16-way electric adjustment, heating, ventilation, adjustable side bolsters, and a new massage function for the first time. Another novelty is that, for the first time in a Bentley, the three-seater rear bench has an electric folding function. Overall, despite its modest five-meter length for a luxury car, the Torcal is intended to offer plenty of interior space—especially for passengers. The trunk f
It has a fairly modest capacity of 460 liters.
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What else? At launch, five wheel designs in various versions are available. The base model comes standard with 21-inch wheels; the S model features 22-inch wheels with ten double-spoke designs as standard. Three additional 22-inch wheel options are available as upgrades.
Luxury attitude – even in driver assistance features
The Torcal is also equipped with a powerful audio system on board—comprising an audio system, as well as sounds related to driving functions and other operations—as befits its status. It features a comprehensive driver assistance package, supported by a system of 25 radar and ultrasonic sensors along with cameras that provide all necessary data around the vehicle. The four radar-controlled doors, which open and close automatically, are more of a novelty feature. “The doors close either when the seat belt is fastened, activated via the central touchscreen,” explains Bentley. The driver’s door can also be closed by pressing the brake pedal.
Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, commented: “The Torcal is a true Bentley through and through, created by people who pursue their craft with passion and the highest standards. They combine the best available materials and cutting-edge technologies with decades of tradition to create groundbreaking innovations. For me, it’s one of the best Bentleys ever made.”
Crewe as the hub of production
The Torcal will be built at Bentley’s traditional facility in Crewe. The brand has not yet specified when the model will go into production or be delivered. Nor has it announced the European price, though a base price of £173,300 (around €200,000) has already been cited for the UK market. What is clear is that producing the first electric Bentley required a comprehensive redesign of the production infrastructure in Crewe: specifically, the manufacturer prepared the plant’s oldest building (“A1”) for assembling Bentley’s electric debut model. Additionally, Bentley opened a new Engineering Technical Centre in 2025 near Crewe, where prototype development, material testing, and software integration for future electric vehicles take place.
It is considered certain that more luxury electric vehicles will follow. Although electrification at Bentley will proceed less aggressively than planned just a few years ago, the company originally intended to fully transition its model lineup to electric power by the end of the decade as part of its “Beyond 100+” strategy. However, since electric vehicles have proven to be relatively difficult to market in the luxury segment, this Volkswagen subsidiary has softened its plans: first, the timeline was pushed back to 2035, followed by another adjustment. A year ago, the British brand completely abandoned any fixed deadline for ending internal combustion engine use.
Electric vehicles are expected to remain a top priority in Crewe, as demonstrated by a concept car unveiled in July 2025, which is said to serve as a blueprint for future electric Bentleys. However, this focus is complemented by hybrid models and a nearly production-ready performance model with an internal combustion engine available in limited editions.
bentleymedia.com, insideevs.de, autocar.co.uk (UK prices starting at £173,300)