Bentley's First EV, the Torcal, Debuts With Up to 876 HP and 800-Volt Charging
Crewe's first EV makes up to 876 hp and charges at up to 400 kW, but US pricing, EPA range, and timing are still unannounced.
Bentley has revealed the Torcal, the first battery-electric car in its 107-year history and a fourth model line alongside the Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Bentayga. The low-roofed SUV makes up to 876 hp in US-spec form, yet Bentley deliberately tuned it to be slower than the Porsche it shares hardware with.
There are two versions. The standard Torcal produces 810 hp and 881 lb-ft of torque, reaches 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and tops out at 155 mph, according to Bentley's US specifications. The Torcal S raises that to 876 hp and 996 lb-ft with Launch Control engaged, cutting the 0–60 mph time to 2.8 seconds and lifting top speed to 162 mph. Bentley says none of its cars has ever had more torque.
Both versions use two permanent-magnet synchronous motors, with a locking differential on the rear axle. The 800-volt battery holds 113 kWh, and Bentley covers it with a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. The company quotes up to 375 miles (600 km) on the WLTP cycle; the EPA figure, which Bentley hasn't published, will likely be lower. On a 400-kW charger, Bentley says a 10–80% top-up takes just under 20 minutes, and roughly 100 miles can be added in seven.
Porsche underneath, Bentley tuning on top
Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser told Bloomberg that the Torcal shares its underpinnings with Porsche's Cayenne Electric. The numbers line up: Porsche also quotes a 113-kWh, 800-volt battery and 400-kW peak charging for its electric SUV.
Where the two part ways is outright pace. The Cayenne Turbo Electric makes up to 1,139 hp with Launch Control and reaches 60 mph in 2.4 seconds, for $163,000 before a $2,350 destination fee. The quickest Torcal gives away 263 hp and 0.4 second to it. Bentley presents that gap as a choice, saying its engineers found that most of its customers consider harder acceleration uncomfortable.
Bentley's engineering focus shows in the chassis instead. The company says the Torcal is its first model with fully active suspension, which lets the dampers manage body roll on their own, so the car does without anti-roll bars. Standard rear-wheel steering turns the back wheels up to five degrees, shrinking the turning circle to 36.4 feet.
At 16.4 feet long, the Torcal is Bentley's shortest four-door. Cargo space totals 16.2 cubic feet in the trunk, plus 3.2 cubic feet under the hood.
An EV that still wants to sound like a Bentley
Rather than synthesize an engine note, Bentley had musicians record drums, viola, and bass guitar, with a rhythm modeled on its 6¾-liter V8. The result, called Bentley Dynamic Symphony, rises and falls with throttle input and speed, gets louder in Sport mode, and can be muted entirely.
Physical switches stay on the center console and steering wheel. Bentley also says it developed the first 100% Merino wool upholstery fabric for car use, working with Somerset weaver Fox Brothers. The top audio option is a 1,780-watt, 28-speaker Naim system.
What Bentley hasn't said about the US
The Torcal arrives later than Bentley once planned. In 2020 the brand targeted an all-electric lineup by the end of the decade, then moved that goal to 2035. Bloomberg reports Bentley has since pushed back even that date, though the company's own press materials still cite 2035. Walliser told Bloomberg that EVs now enjoy "way higher acceptance, even in our market segment."
The Torcal is built in Crewe, England. Autocar reports UK prices of £173,300 for the standard car and £199,300 for the S, but Bentley's own announcement lists no pricing for any market.
For American buyers, the open questions outnumber the answers. Bentley hasn't announced US pricing, an EPA range estimate, a model year, or when orders and deliveries will start. It also hasn't said which charging port US cars will get. Its Porsche sibling uses a NACS port for DC fast charging and a separate J1772 port for AC charging in the US, with a CCS adapter included.
