Bentley reveals Torcal electric SUV with 653kW and 600km range

Bentley has unveiled its first fully electric model, the Torcal, a five-seat SUV with up to 653kW, a claimed WLTP range of 600km and the highest torque figure of any production car the brand has built.

Revealed in London, the Torcal becomes Bentley’s fourth model line alongside the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga. It launches in standard and sportier S forms, both designed, engineered and built at Crewe. New Zealand pricing and arrival timing were not included in the announcement.

At five metres long it is Bentley’s shortest four-door model, though hardly compact. There is a 460-litre boot, another 90 litres of storage under the bonnet, and an electrically folding rear seat, a first for the brand.

Big battery, bigger performance

Both versions use two electric motors and an 800-volt battery with a usable capacity of 113kWh, on the Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric that also underpins the Porsche Cayenne Electric.

The standard Torcal produces 604kW and 1,194Nm, for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.4 seconds and a 250km/h top speed. The S lifts output to 653kW and 1,350Nm with launch control active, cutting the sprint to 2.9 seconds and raising the maximum to 260km/h. Bentley says it deliberately stopped short of chasing harder acceleration, having found many customers consider more extreme performance uncomfortable.

Bentley claims up to 600km of WLTP range and DC charging at up to 400kW. Its headline figure is a 10 to 80% charge in 16 minutes, although the main text of the release describes the same charge as taking just under 20 minutes, and it says around 161km of range can be added in seven minutes.

Active suspension does away with anti-roll bars

The Torcal introduces fully active suspension to Bentley, with each damper able to raise or lower independently in response to the road and driver inputs. The system also controls body roll, removing the need for conventional anti-roll bars, in an arrangement Bentley says is meant to combine a supple ride with more precise body control.

Rear-wheel steering is standard, turning the back wheels by up to five degrees and reducing the turning circle to 11.1 metres. Standard brakes use 420mm front discs and 370mm rears, with an optional carbon-ceramic package taking those to 440mm and 410mm. The standard car rides on 21-inch wheels; the S gets 22s, black exterior detailing, red calipers and additional aerodynamic trim.

A V8-inspired soundtrack, played by musicians

Bentley’s Dynamic Symphony soundtrack uses recordings of instruments including drums, viola and bass guitar, with the rhythm of the brand’s 6.75-litre V8 as inspiration. The sound responds to speed and requested torque, becomes more prominent in Sport mode, and can be switched off. The indicator sound is a recording of a hammer striking leather in Bentley’s upholstery workshop, and touchscreen and assistant sounds come from crystal glass.

Music plays through a standard 620W, 16-speaker system, with an optional Naim setup delivering 1,780W through 28 speakers, including front headrest speakers and seat shakers.

Wool, walnut and physical controls

The cabin combines curved OLED displays with physical controls on the centre console and steering wheel, and an augmented reality head-up display puts navigation and driver assistance information in the driver’s field of view. Standard front seats have 16-way adjustment, heating, ventilation, adjustable bolsters and massage, with optional systems that subtly alter seating pressure and manage heating and ventilation automatically, and a Wellness specification that extends massage to the legs.

Material choices include a new 100% merino wool fabric developed with British textile company Fox Brothers, carrying Responsible Wool Standard certification. Another option layers walnut offcuts with recycled paper into a veneer, alongside leather, Dinamica and a range of wood, aluminium and painted finishes.

Four powered doors use radar to manage opening and closing. Occupants can close a door by fastening their seatbelt, and the driver can close theirs by pressing the brake pedal. Parking assistance includes app-controlled remote parking and the ability to learn regular manoeuvres.

The Torcal joins a busy month for electric flagships, after the Range Rover Electric’s reveal with 600km of range and the 810km Mercedes-Benz EQS update. Bentley New Zealand has yet to confirm timing for a car that would sit above the Cayenne Electric in a segment where 800-volt charging and active suspension are becoming the price of entry.