With the 2028 Bentley Torcal, Bentley is moving into uncharted territory. As the marque’s first all-electric car, it is among the most significant new models to come from the brand in its 107 years. The Torcal is not a case of bolting an EV powertrain onto a conventional Bentley; it is built on an entirely new electric platform and technology that will set the tone for what comes after, while also presenting a fresh design language.
The figures are as one would expect from Bentley. The top-spec Torcal S is good for 876 hp and 996 pound-feet of torque, which is more than adequate to put this electric SUV from 0-60 mph in a mere 2.8 seconds. An 800-volt architecture allows for charging at up to 400 kW, and the 113-kWh battery should see you 375 miles down the road, although we’re waiting to hear the official lower EPA range.
At 197 inches long, the Torcal is no small thing, though it is the most compact four-door in the range. The front is where you will notice the change. The old grille is replaced by a striking illuminated diamond grille and lighting that pays homage to the likes of the Continental T. Round back there, a cleaner line forms what Bentley calls a “prestigious shield.” Inside the cabin, the bodywork swells over the rear wheels as the vehicle tapers off – a stance the designers refer to as the “resting beast”. It is also the first production car to sport Bentley’s reworked emblem.
There are two ways to order the Torcal when it goes on sale.
The standard variant puts out 810 hp and 881 lb-ft of torque for a 3.3-second run to 60 and a 155-mph ceiling. Then there is the Bentley Torcal S. Put Launch Control to work and you have 876 hp and 996 lb-ft of torque on hand. 0-60 mph is yours in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 162 mph.
You might think Bentley could have made it quicker, but the engineers have drawn a line in the sand at just under 900 horsepower. Their view is that anything beyond this would be uncomfortable for the driver, which is very much in keeping with the brand. The power is delivered via two permanent-magnet synchronous motors, one per axle, with the rear motor fitted with a locking differential.
Underneath the Torcal is a 113-kWh lithium-ion pack of 192 pouch cells running at 800 volts. Bentley puts the range at up to 375 miles pending EPA certification for the U.S. market.
Then there is the matter of charging. On a DC fast charger of sufficient power the Torcal can take 400 kW, meaning 10 to 80 percent takes less than 20 minutes. Or, as Bentley has it, you can put 100 miles on in around seven minutes.
The chassis has not been overlooked. In fact, the Torcal is the first Bentley to feature fully active suspension along with adaptive two-valve dampers that can raise or lower at will depending on the road or the driver. Conventional anti-roll bars are done away with in favor of the active dampers managing roll forces.
Electronic all-wheel steering is part of the package, with the rear wheels turning up to five degrees. Bentley’s stated intention is to marry the Flying Spur’s comfort to the Continental GT Speed’s agility in a large electric SUV. We shall have to see if they have made good on that. For stopping power, there are 420-mm iron discs at the front and 370-mm at the rear as standard, or an optional carbon-silicon-carbide ceramic system that brings those figures up to 440 mm and 410 mm.
Bentley was confronted with an odd question when it came to its inaugural electric vehicle: what should it sound like? The answer is the Bentley Dynamic Symphony, and no, it is not a synthetic re-creation of an internal-combustion engine.
To put together the soundtrack, the company put to one side any notion of faking a V8 and instead made recordings of real instruments, from drums to viola and bass guitar. The system is modelled on the rhythm of a Bentley V8 and will vary with the accelerator and speed of the car; in Sport mode the music is more forward. Then again, those who prefer the quiet of an EV can turn it off altogether.
Unconventional touches are found elsewhere in the Torcal as well. The turn signal is the sound of a hammer on leather from the upholstery shop, while the digital assistant and touchscreen have the ring of crystal glass about them. It is an eccentric way to do things, but far more compelling than having an EV put on an act.
Thankfully you will not find the entire dashboard of the Torcal given over to touchscreens. While the dash does make use of the wing motif one would expect from Bentley, along with a mix of wood veneer, wool, aluminum and leather, there is still room for the tactile.
Physical controls are left on the steering wheel and center console for the kind of functions occupants will want to work with their hands. On the digital front, curved OLEDs are up to date and facial recognition will set the driver’s seat, steering wheel and assistance preferences without being asked. A smartphone serves as a key and an augmented-reality head-up display puts navigation data right in the line of sight.
The standard fare for the front seats in the Torcal is 16-way power adjustment with heating, ventilation, adjustable bolsters and massage. For longer trips the optional Postural Adjust system will fine-tune the pressure distribution, and Smart Seat Climate looks after the temperature.
Should one opt for the Wellness Seat Specification, the massage goes beyond the back and shoulders to the cushion and legs. In the rear the bench is new in that it has a power-folding function for the first time in a Bentley, and it will accommodate three.
Bentley has put some thought into what its four Experience Modes can do. They are not just for the suspension and steering; they bring the powertrain into harmony with the cabin’s lighting, climate and even the information on screen.
Sport is more intense in its soundtrack and controls, whereas Bentley Mode is the default for a balance of engagement and comfort. Comfort offers something different: a digital detox setting to put all but the necessary info out of view. Refresh is for invigoration, brightening the lights and increasing fresh air.
The Torcal has been an opportunity for Bentley to try new materials. In partnership with Fox Brothers of Britain, the brand has come up with what it claims is the world’s first 100-percent Merino wool fabric for a car, and the first to be certified under the Responsible Wool Standard.
Mulliner has a new Ombré Walnut finish on offer, built up from a thousand or so layers of walnut offcuts and recycled paper in shades from black to smoke. There is also Sunburst Aluminum, a nod to the engine-turned dashboards of old. As for the rest, buyers have a choice of 15 leathers and Dinamica colors, five wools, six types of wood and piano finishes. A switchable-glass Frosted Diamond panoramic roof is available for those who wish to control the light in the cabin.
The 2028 Bentley Torcal is slated to arrive early next year with a price tag starting below $230,000.
