After more than a century, most of which underscored by its legendary 12-cylinder engines, Bentley has revealed their first electric vehicle.
The Torcal joins the lineup for 2028 as the marque's second SUV after the Bentayga. They're both named after natural phenomena in Spain — Roque Bentayga and El Torcal de Antequera — but the Torcal differentiates itself in two key ways. It's smaller than the Bentayga, and it's electric-only.
The Torcal is based on the same modular platform as the Porsche Cayenne Electric. It uses the same 108 kWh battery pack and and dual electric motor arrangement, tuned here to produce 810 horsepower and 881 pound-feet of torque out of the box. If that won't cut it, the Torcal S turns up the wick to 876 hp and 996 lb-ft of torque, and clocks a 2.9-second sprint from zero-to-100 km/h. Given the e-Cayenne's figures, not to mention Bentley's penchant for Speed variants, we have a sneaking suspicion they're not done yet.
Keeping the Torcal's shiny side up is a fully active suspension setup with electrically driven hydraulic pumps to minimize body roll and pitch. It's teamed to rear axle steering, a brake setup lifted from the Continental GT Supersports, and either all-season or summer tires depending on the spec.
The shared architecture also means the Torcal uses the same 800-volt charging architecture. Plugged into a 400 kW charger — they do exist, just not yet in North America — the Torcal charges from 10 to 80 per cent in 16 minutes according to Bentley, and estimated range comes in at around 600 kilometres based on Europe's typically optimistic WLTP testing procedures. And yes, there's a NACS port for charging.
Bentley says the EXP 15 concept inspires the new look. We certainly see it in the Torcal's muscular beltline and exaggerated haunches. The illuminated grille also finds its way into production, though we're not so sure about the rectangular headlights, a break from Bentley's otherwise distinctive stylistic norms. The sportier Torcal S trades the exterior brightwork for blacked-out trim and rolls on 22-inch wheels, versus 21s on the "base" Torcal.
Inside, the 2028 Torcal features more "traditional" Bentley hallmarks. The modern, cushy, cutting-edge stuff is all there — the curved OLED screen on the centre stack is shared with the Cayenne EV, the panoramic sunroof is dimmable, there's facial recognition software and a 28-speaker Naim sound system, and of course, massaging seats. But the Torcal also still features knurled physical switchgear, top-shelf materials and craftsmanship, and one of the more tasteful ambient lighting applications out there.
Bentley says the 2028 Torcal goes on sale early next year, at a price yet to be revealed.
